So I'm thinking of buying a new outboard. Having trouble deciding between Yamaha, Honda, Merc, Tohatsu. Yes I know there are other brands, Suzuki and others, but I like these 4 and that's what I'm sticking with.
I only want a 4, 5, or 6 hp. An 8 or 9.9 would be nice but the twin cylinders weight a lot more and I'm just not interested in taking the additional weight on/off my boat every time I use it.
Boat is an 11"6 john boat (Journey). I have used a 5hp on it before and it pushes it just fine. I typically fish smaller interior lakes so I don't need to zip along that fast. The transom is rated for a 15hp but like I said I just don't feel like lugging that much extra weight. The boat goes on a roof rack over my canopy so everything has to come out of the boat before the boat goes on the roof.
Kind of leaning towards a Merc 5hp. I have used/borrowed the father in law's 5hp merc 4 stroke and quite like the motor. Starts up no probs, idles nice and smooth and trolls beautifully, revs up nicely and cruises along great at WOT.
You can get the same Merc motor in a 6hp, however, I have heard (not sure if true or not) that they idle a bit higher and do not troll quite as nice (or slow) as the same engine in the 5hp version.
Tohatsu is the same motor (built in same factory in Japan) and about the same price. If all things are equal I'd rather have a cowl that says "mercury" than "tohatsu." Just personal preference. If I were to happen on a sweet deal on used Tohatsu then I might buy it, but if going brand new I'd rather have the Merc. Also the 5 Merc has a built in fuel tank in the Cowl whereas with the Tohatsu the 5hp does not, but the 6hp does. I'd probably only use the bigger separate tank, but nice to have the built in as an option.
I love Hondas but you can only get a 4hp in the single cylinder (can get a 5hp or 6hp in the USA, but not interested in going that route). I wonder if you'd notice much of a difference in WOT between a 4hp and a 5hp???
Same with Yamaha, can only get a 4hp in the single cyclinder. And I love Yamahas too but I was looking at a 4hp in Cascade the other day and now they are made in SE Asia - not Japan! I think it was made in Thailand.
Honda still made in Japan, same with Tohatsu/Merc.
Leaning towards the 5hp Merc as I've borrowed the identical motor and used it on my boat and I loved it. Don't see a big reason to "risk it" with a 4hp Honda or Yamaha. Ya I'll probably not notice the 1hp less cruising at WOT but you never know. I don't know anyone with a 4hp Honda or Yamaha to test out unfortunately.
Also buddy made a good point: wherever you go there's always a Merc dealer somewhere. Can always get a common part if you have a mechanical issue on a fishing trip. Not as many dealers for Honda and Yamaha. So, serviceability is likely the best if you own a Merc.
Interested to hear what ya'll think!