ANY differences MARINER/MERCURY outboards?

[VicMallows]

Interested in the small (2.5/3.3) 2-stroke engines. I know that the Mariner and Mercury are both from the same stable and are essentially the same (except for livery!). Does anyone know of ANY differences, or any other reasons to prefer one brand to the other?

Thanks, Vic

 

[trouville]

the price!I looked at compass ads today and the small mercury cost about 100euros more!!
I have the catalog hear as i was just wondering if i shold buy one!the mariner 904.302 2.5hp Sfr879 mercury111.851 2.5 hp Sfr 929.90!

www.compass24.ch

Cant be the same!!!!One costs more and looks black the other white??

I only have the Swiss catalog as the european one costs more and Le swiss isent far away!!Though twice so far my 1958 landrover got speeding fines a parking fine and honked at for going to slowly???????

Why is the autohelm 2000 drive system better than the 100sp(new one)? Could i find a plan of the pushrod system somewhere is the 2000 a screw without elastic bands??
Still costs less there as its the third world not Europe???

 

[oldsaltoz]

I think you will find that only the engine block and a few other bits are common to both brands.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[supermalc]

Most products today are rebadged from one or two sources. I know the 9.9 4 stroke Mariner I had (2000) is almost the same as the Mercury and very different from the Yamaha, or Evinrude. But I think Tohatsu make most of the small 2 strokes. Certainly the Honda, Yamaha etc are almost identical, except in outward appearance.

If you remember a few years ago, one model of Ford car had a Skoda engine, which was in fact VW. There is nothing in a name today, except maybe a large price tag.

 

[john_morris_uk]

The small two stroke outboards ARE made by Tohatsu. The different companies put different covers on them and sell them for different prices.

I know from recent personal experience that the Mariner 3.3 prop is £29 from Mariner £22.90 from Tohatsu and its the identical item... (One place tried to charge me £45 for the Mariner prop!)

 

[simon_sluggett]

Why not buy the tohatsu its much cheaper and its exactly the same under the cover. A good example of paying more just for a brand name.

Whats happening with 2 strokes anyway? I know they are being phased out to cut pollution but is there a cut off date to stop selling new ones or is it as stock runs out. Will they be going cheap to clear the stock or will they be like rocking horse s**t and command a premium?

 

[Channel Ribs]

As far as we can tell, they are being phased out slowly and some manufacturers are even trying to squeeze certain models past the emissions regs.

The price wont drop until they are on the very last stocks, which is some way off I think. The price of other outboard technology seems to be dipping to meet the new demand.

 

[macd]

From 1.1.07, it will effectively become unlawful to sell small capacity two-stroke outboards in the EU (except for rescue and commercial vessels), as they will not meet new emissions standards. (On larger 2-strokes it will be financially viable to add clever hi-tech kit to reduce emissons.) The legality of older engines already in use will be unaffected, nor their re-sale. To name but one, Tohatsu, the world's biggest small marine 2-stroke manufacturer, will continue to make such engines for other markets, so spares should remain available.

You let me know what BP shares will be at next January, and I'll tell you how the market for 2-stroke outboards will stand.

 

[trouville]

Thats what i heard and why i want to buy a new very small light tohatsu before i have to fly to China to buy one which might make it to expensive

The whole point being that such a small light engin will go on my light weight tiny tender or hevey duty one come to that.I can carry in one hand with ease and its easy to stow being so small and light.

2 stroke are also far quiter than the aircooled small hondas and half the price.

While the EEC make more restrictions for us they are removein safty and pollution laws for big businss,it seems to be lobbists running Brussels

 

[Georgio]

If you want the best price for a small 2-stroke try Ron Hale Marine in Portsmouth. I just purchased a Merc 2.5 from them for £289. After calling round that's the best price available and even beats Compass24 who are normally v-cheap (if you can put up with their poor customer service).

No connection with Ron Hale Marine but like to reward good service and price by telling others /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rick]

There are three models in the range 2.5, 3.3, and 3.3 FN - the 3.3 models are either with or without the neutral option. All three share the same engine, however there is a carb/induction change for the 3.3 to give more power at higher revs.
All three modesl are sold as Tohatsu, Mercury and Mariner, and all are built by Tohatsu - slight cowling changes and paint / decals are only other differences (and bigger Tohatsu called 3.5, not 3.3)

 

[john_morris_uk]

To reinforce what has been said. The only difference is the cowling. I have heard it argued (by a Mariner Dealer) that the Tohatsu cowl is screwed together and the screws work loose, but the Mariner cowl is clipped on.

I have two small out boards - one has screws on the cover and they have never worked loose. The other is a Mariner and I buy Tohatsu sparess for it.

 

[VicMallows]

Many thanks to you all for the many useful comments. I (think!) I've concluded that they are indeed essentially identical and it's simply down to price. (I still wish the old 2hp YAMAHA/Mariner was still available!).

Thanks again, Vic

 

[trouville]

Thats a very good price indeed.unfortunatly or fortunatly im not in the UK.

Given that price i will look again around to see if anyone online can match that price.Given that the UK is a very expensive place to buy it just goes to show that an efficent dealer can be competative.Or the huge profirs the swinderys make.

When tomy blairs gone i heard is proposed to model Britain on Switzerland(and the USA) where every council will collect the tax and set the rate.just hope you dont get sociaöisum again!!Or the councilers will be driveng rolls and sailing Swans(or Baverias?) and the entire UK will be liveing in Switzerland!

 

[Oldhand]

The Tohatsu 2.5 -3.5 is a pain because the cover is split vertically, held together with screws and thus fiddly to gain access to the power-head. Mariner and Mercury versions have a lift off cover with to quick release clips. Haggle at a boat show and a Mercury can cost the same as a Tohatsu.