Small Boat Forum: Re: Mercury OB question by Mariner HP

Merc's are awesome and have a well desreved good reputation. Then again, the outboard business, especially in the mid to high end range, is so competitive that they're all good.

OMC had some problems and went into bankruptcy. Bombardier from Canada has purchased the outboards, Evinrude/Johnson. and is keeping the best they had and adding to it. They should be excellent, based on Bombardier's rep as an Aerospace manufacturer. I don't like a lot of French Canadian stuff or attitudes, but that company definitely has it all in one sock.

Yamaha builds a good motor, but they're awfully expensive for unnecessary bells and whistles.

Honda's are fantastic, but way too expensive and heavy.

Suzuki is also good.

Personally, Mercury/Mariner. No contest. IMHO the best there is, especially in bang for buck. Play with hieght and setback and definitey with props.