Merits of Tohatsu, Mariner, Mercury and Suzuki Outboards

[C08]

Pondering about a new 30 hp and inclined towards a Tohatsu having had 3 of different sizes of these and been pleased with their construction and longevity. However depending on prices offered may need to broaden the search to include some others. Any thoughts about the relative upsides and downsides of these outboards. I assume they are all EFI.

 

[CLB]

Depends upon what you want it for, but I would go for an Evinrude ETEC. Very efficient, two stroke power, long warranty, huge service intervals.

 

[Firefly625]

I would go Yamaha every time...

 

[C08]

I would go Yamaha every time...

My only dealing with a Yamaha was a friend's 9.9 where the studs joining the leg sections were so badly rusted they burst out of the leg section and destroyed it. Needed new leg section and a rebuild so not impressed.

 

[sailorman]

most small o/b are made by Tohatsu & re-baged with differing levels of cowling & goodies

 

[Firefly625]

My only dealing with a Yamaha was a friend's 9.9 where the studs joining the leg sections were so badly rusted they burst out of the leg section and destroyed it. Needed new leg section and a rebuild so not impressed.

and Tohatsu use what.....?

 

[C08]

and Tohatsu use what.....?

I am not saying that Tohatsu are that much better as they also have steel plated leg stud bolts that tend to rust a little-just that my one experience of Yamaha was not good. Interesting that the Yamaha engines are much heavier than Tohatsu as well as the price. Maybe suggests that Yamaha are built more substantially?

 

[Greg2]

Mercury and Mariner are the same engines - at least at the 10/15hp level they are. We have had two Mercury’s and they have been great engines. To be honest I don’t think you would go far wrong with any of the makes you have mentioned.

 

[Davy_S]

A 30 hp Mercury is a Tohatsu wearing different clothes, a good engine, Yamaha and Honda also good engines, I had the 3 pot Honda for a few years, faultless, not a fan of Suzuki, earlier ones had paint finish issues, I had one of the first Suzuki 50 2Ts, the paint abandoned ship! probably improved by now.

 

[gjgm]

If new then I would start with the locality of servicing. Seems to me where ever I go you see a dominant brand.. and then you see the big dealership.

 

[C08]

If new then I would start with the locality of servicing. Seems to me where ever I go you see a dominant brand.. and then you see the big dealership.

I do self servicing and I find outboard engineers similar to garages i.e. a very mixed bunch. I leaned towards Tohatsu in the past because they do Ultra Long shaft (27") options up to 20hp apart from having had good service from 3 motors.
I am really looking for negative comments that would support taking out of the search a manufacturer but it seems that generally there is satisfactions with these outboards!

 

[simonfraser]

Rinse them off / out if at all possible, learn to maintain them yourself, look for long warranties.
Tohatsu had been best for me.