what do you think of a mariner outboard?

[sadworld]

i have a chance to purchase a nice little fishing boat with a mid 90's 35hp mariner outboard, but is mariner considered a good reliable motor? their made by mercury if i'm not mistaken. just wondered if thats a stripped down or cheap version of the mercury motor? anyone have problems or experience with mariner? thanks. matt.

[Topshelf]

I was always told that the Mariner is the salt water version of the mercury?
I believe they have more stainless steel parts do helpwith corrosion.

[Swamp Monster]

They were the same motor....different name and different paint scheme but parts were the same. That was the case for my 94' 25 hp Mariner. Mercury dropped the Mariner name in the late 90's I think. It used to be the same with Johnson/Envinrude back in the day.

It's a quality motor if your concerned at all.

[john warren]

thats a good motor. solid and long life. not as fast as a merc. but thats not a race boat is it?i have a chance to purchase a nice little fishing boat with a mid 90's 35hp mariner outboard, but is mariner considered a good reliable motor? their made by mercury if i'm not mistaken. just wondered if thats a stripped down or cheap version of the mercury motor? anyone have problems or experience with mariner? thanks. matt.

[roger23]

I have repaired a lot of the bigger ones ,,I would not buy one unless it is real cheap maybe the smaller ones are better,,good luck,, I am sure there are some good ones

[Swamp Monster]

I have repaired a lot of the bigger ones ,,I would not buy one unless it is real cheap maybe the smaller ones are better,,good luck,, I am sure there are some good ones

Did you experience the same thing with Mercury? Just curious.
I don't know about the higher HP engines but my 25 Mariner was an exact replica of a 25 Merc..same parts everything. This was just your basic carburated 25, nothing special.

[waterfoul]

My 1988 40hp Mariner runs like a watch. It's been RUN too. Some Mariners contain a LOT of Mistubishi electronics parts (mine for example). Some of the newer ones have a lot of Yamaha influence and parts. BUT, they were manufactured by Mercury and most of the mechanical parts are interchangeable year to year. I just put a Michigan Wheel stainless steel prop on mine (gained nearly 2 mph and cut my time to plane with two guys and a full livewell in half) and it is listed as the same prop for many mercury motors in the same hp range.

[Damark Marine]

Merc/Mariner same thing just different color. They are the clone of each other.

[chamookman]

A few years back, I had a 25HP Mariner on the back of a 16' tiller boat - GREAT Motor. C-man

[b2theill]

early ones were combination of yamaha and merc design, later the company being bought out 100% by brunswick i believe. also, i am pretty sure there was never a 35 hp under the mariner name in the 90's. double check the info on the hp and make...

[sadworld]

early ones were combination of yamaha and merc design, later the company being bought out 100% by brunswick i believe. also, i am pretty sure there was never a 35 hp under the mariner name in the 90's. double check the info on the hp and make...


must be a 25hp then... thanks.

[sadworld]

hey guys,

any tips on what to be aware of on this? i asked to take it for a test drive and after initially saying absolutely she could not get it started. claims it must be the battery and says it hasn't been used since the beginning of last season. woman don't seem to know too much about the boat and never mentioned the husband so i'm not askin.... it's been on the charger for hours now and she says it still won't start and she will probably buy a new battery. do these motors have alternators? the boat is in pristine shape, motor and boat and was obviously well taken care of but i'm wondering now.... just a battery? no prob. easy fix... any thoughts? thanks. matt.

[roger23]

Did you experience the same thing with Mercury? Just curious.
I don't know about the higher HP engines but my 25 Mariner was an exact replica of a 25 Merc..same parts everything. This was just your basic carburated 25, nothing special.

Merc seemed to have less electronic problems, I guess it is really hard to compare because if you did not own it you don't know how it was used,some hardly never used some used every day

[waterfoul]

Sadworld, is it not starting or not turning over? If it's turning over but not starting it has nothing to do with the battery and is more likely a fuel/spark issue. If it's o.k. with her pull the plugs and simply replace them. If they've been sitting they are probably not in the best of shape. Check for spark (you know how right? Plug out... touch block.. turn over engine). Got spark? Shoot a touch of starting fluid in one plug hole, replace plug and fire away. My bet is it starts right up. Also, the choke on those will be the push-the-key-in when you turn it type... very important to do this when the motor is cold.... especially if it hasn't been started in a while.

[sadworld]

Sadworld, is it not starting or not turning over? If it's turning over but not starting it has nothing to do with the battery and is more likely a fuel/spark issue. If it's o.k. with her pull the plugs and simply replace them. If they've been sitting they are probably not in the best of shape. Check for spark (you know how right? Plug out... touch block.. turn over engine). Got spark? Shoot a touch of starting fluid in one plug hole, replace plug and fire away. My bet is it starts right up. Also, the choke on those will be the push-the-key-in when you turn it type... very important to do this when the motor is cold.... especially if it hasn't been started in a while.

she said it wouldn't turn over. when it does though, i'll keep that other stuff you mentioned in mind. thanks. matt.

[jd53fisherman]

i have a 30hp 1987 mariner. so far its been a good runnin motor for me. ive only had to repair the normal stuff like carb kits and fuel lines. i was told that they are a yamaha engine in a merc. shell. if it is a resonable price i would feel confident buying on. the only thing that broke on mine was the electric choke acuator bracket broke. it looked like it was made of super cheap metal and snapped off out of no were. that would be my only complaint of the motor.

[glockman55]

I have a 1995 90 hp. Mariner on my 17' Mon Ark, No problems at all. Like any thing else, as long as they took care of it should be fine. But I would have to hear it run first..Good Luck

[Nascar31Fan]

I also have a 1987 30hp Mariner. Runs great and starts better than my buddies 2006 50hp Mercury.

[shametamer]

A few years back, I had a 25HP Mariner on the back of a 16' tiller boat - GREAT Motor. C-man

duh i had a 25 on my only... fisher..boat, motor was quiet for that era....only issue was a clamp on the fuel feed hose..

[TONGA]

Ok first the mariners are the same as a merc. Those of you who talk of the yamaha parts ,,it’s true but they are the same , in other words there are plenty of yamamercurys out there and yamamariners to.
They are fine motors.
Now as for the starting first make sure it’s in neutral, clean battery terminals etc.. try spinning the starter by hand(KEY OFF) sometimes they just need to be moved a little after sitting for long periods.
If still a no go can you hear the solenoid shifting?