Happy with your Merc outboard?

[redear]

Hello all:

 If you're a Mercury outboard owner, are you happy or disgruntled with your motor?

 I'm getting my first boat and told the dealer I wanted a 50 hp Honda (4-stroke, obviously), but he swears by a 50 hp 4-stroke EFI Mercury.  My primary goal is reliability and I know Honda makes quality, reliable 4-strokes.

 If you're a Mercury owner I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinion on its reliability.

Thanks in advance.

Sergio

Austin, TX.

[JT Bagwell]

I am a Merc owner and I am happy with the product and the company.

I had a problem last year with my Optimax. The tech said an oil injector went out which resulted in a blown powerhead. Without any hassle at all, Mercury jumped up and sent a fully dressed 2005 powerhead and paid to have it installed.

In my opinion every brand is going to have it's share of problems. It is just a given that there will be a certain percentage of errors made. Knowing that this may occur, a consumer needs to look closely at the customer service behind each brand.

Mercury took care of me and as a result I am 100% happy with them. I will also be a repeat customer.

JT Bagwell

[Muddpuppy]

I have a Merc. 2 - stroke.  It has worked great so far.  

[Boo]

I also have a Mercury 2-stroke and have had no problems. Ive heard 4strokes are high maintenance, but I wouldnt think so.

[Skeeter6598]

I love Mercurys and despite just normal things that are going to happen I'm very pleased.

With that being said I'm looking heavily into this new Evinrude E-tech. I've always like Evinrudes as well and that's what my dad has on his guide boat. But this new E-tech is a 2-stroke that is supposed to out perform any 4-stroke on the market. 3-years before your first scheduled maintenance. All kinds of good stuff I'm hearing about his motor.

So you might wanna look into that if it's an option for you!

[cedar1]

I had a 40 hp merc on my first boat and it was a very reliable engine. I dont know if honda is now made in america but american products are very important to me

[Glenn]

I had a 40 hp merc on my first boat and it was a very reliable engine. I dont know if honda is now made in america but american products are very important to me

Just an fyi - Some, not all, of the Merc powerheads are made by Yamaha. That said, the rest of the engines are (mostly) made and assembled in America.

Not trying to knock Mercs, just passing along industry info. In fact, they make great engines.

[cedar1]

Ya Glenn that doesnt suprise me. I didnt want to say to much for fear of putting my foot in my mouth. Seems like nothing is 100% american anymore.

[abelfisher]

I don't want to get into the Buy American stuff argument.  I am as strong an American as they come..Ronald Reagan Republican in fact.  But there are very few products that are totally made in Amerca these days.  This is a world economy now...like it or not.  Also, if it were not for the Japanese in auto's etc (including boat motors) in driving quality and reliability to higher standards, there would have been little motivation for improvement by domestic manufacturers.  With the Japanese coming into the market with higher quality products has "forced" American manufacturers to improve their quality.  Again, I am a strong red blooded American, but had these foreigners not come into our marketplace with improved quality, we would not see the higher quality American products we see today.

I am sure this may cause a lot of angst and higher blood pressure from some readers here, but that's the way I see it.  Oh and by the way, ain't it great that we can have differing opinions....I love America!  PS:  For those who drive GM products and think they are "made in America"  take a moment and open the hood.

[Glenn]

Woa, woa... Tangent Airlines now departing...  

I wasn't trying to start a war, and I'm not about to let it escalate (if you get my drift).

Yes, it's a sad state in some eyes that other countries manufacture things that used to be American.  However, if I understand you correctly, that doesn't mean the game's over.  Rather, it just ups the ante for American ingenuity to meet the challenge.

Good point.

But, this post is about Mercs and their reliability, not "Them vs. Us".  So, let's stop that tangent right now, and answer the gentleman's question.

If you want to discuss the state of American manufacturing, feel free to start a separate post in the "Everything Else" forum.

- Glenn

[abelfisher]

Thanks Glenn, you are right. "Last call For Tangent Airlines flight 2005" now boarding at Gate 17 . ;D ;D

[Fatdaddy150]

I have a 1983 BassTracker with a 40hp Mercury. I use it for small lakes and rivers around my house. The Merc is a 83 also. It starts first turn of the key!! This has been the best outboard I have found. Of course my dad bought the boat new and sold it to me. It has been very well taken care of. I think this is the key to any outboard. I like mercs both of my boats have one. Take care of them and they will last a long time.

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[redear]

JT, Mudpuppy, Boo, Skeeter6598, Cedar1, Glenn, Abelfisher, Fatdaddy151:

 Thank you all for your responses.  I'm leaning 55%-45% Mercury over Honda because of the EFI, but I want to research a little more to feel comfortable with the decision.

 Do you know if the 50hp 4-stroke EFI Mercury is actually made by Yamaha or someone else?  I mentioned the dealer that the 4-stroke Mercs were made by Yamaha and he said that only the 75hp, 90hp, and 115hp were made by Yamaha, which matches the bits of news about Mercury and Yamaha legal battles:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/dumping_4.html

 Thank you also for the input of whether it's made in America or not.  In my opinion it's another point that's part of the equation.

Regards

Sergio

[NBR]

Glenn, Your are wrong about Mercury using Yamaha heads. At one time they used Yamaha for smaller 4 stroke heads (as I recall in the 40hp range) while they were developing the technology. I haven't been in their factory for some time so they might still be using Yamaha. The larger 2 stroke engines have not used anthing but Merc built products.

[Glenn]

Redear, your info is correct - Yamaha did indeed build those powerheads. That said, Merc's contract with them expired two weeks ago. I haven't heard whether or not they negotiated a new contract, but I doubt they did. So, it's unclear who's making those heads now (or if they'll stop making those motors, or....? )

I haven't heard about the under-50hp motors, so I can't comment. But apparently NBR thinks they used Yamaha parts for those too. But, again, I don't know the details to that, or whether that is still true today.  My gut tells me 'no'.

More info: http://bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/dumping_21.html

[redear]

Redear, your info is correct - Yamaha did indeed build those powerheads. That said, Merc's contract with them expired two weeks ago.

Glenn, are you referring to the contract mentioned in the news clip? If so, the contract expires one year from now (2006). I sure hope Mercury is already developing plans to support current owners of the affected engines with spare parts...

Sergio

[Glenn]

DOH! I stand corrected! Guess that would explain why I haven't heard anything about plans after the contract expires. ;D

[Rattlinrogue]

I'm using a Yamaha now,but I had one a few years ago.They are goodand dependable.

[digdug]

I've had 5 different Mercs on 5 different boats and I would buy another Merc.  Never had any real problems.  The only problem the I can remember was I had to have a starter replaced one time, but the orginal one was more than 10yrs old.

I had a Merc repair man told me that the new Verado still has a few bugs, but he didn't give any details as to what the bugs were.  I haven't heard that from anyone else.

[dotz]

Here's my 2 cents. On big motors Merc all the way. I have a 40 hp suziki (however u spell it) that is an 85 model that is great. The only thing I've done to it is put a water pump on it. I know it is not US but got it for a deal and loved it ever since. If I was going to go with a new motor though it  would be BLACK. My 175 Merc has been a great motor. I think they are hard to beat.

[squid]

I have a Mercury OptiMax 115.  Have not had any major problems with it.  Been very good on the gass too.

[shutout31]

Merc 150 EFI here. Great motor!!! Starts at the touch of the key every time and have not had any issues with it at all.

[GobbleDog]

I own an 80 horse outboard Mecury built in the late 80's.  She's old, ugly, and leaks a little oil, but she keeps on running.

[duncast48TN]

I have a 75hp . bought new in 2002. no problems. 8)

[Curado]

Love my merc.