Merry Fisher or Quicksilver ?

[peterjaw]

Dear All,
I am in Taiwan and just about to buy the first boat in my life.
I have permit to drive a motor boat but never did before. I only took my friends' boats out for fishing.
None of my friend has either Merry Fisher or Quicksilver.

In Taiwan, boating is not very popular so we don't have many choices, Merry Fisher and Quicksilver
are 2 of my choices. They both have a dealer in Taiwan.

If budget is not a concern (they are both expensive here.), which brand would you recommend to me?

I know they are both good, but I can only pick up one.

If you have any word for a newbie like me, please feel free to. Appreciate for your comments.

 

[Oscar24]

Hello and welcom to the forum!
Im biased as i have a Merry Fisher which suites me just fine,
To be honest, theres not much between Merry Fisher, Quicksilver or Beneteau boats, some say the fit out in the Merry Fisher is better but there all made to a price and can all be modified and upgraded beyond there basic spec.
The best advice I can give you would be to see what the locals in your area are using, modern 4 stroke outboards are all pretty good if looked after.
I've found this forum very good at answering questions so please feel free to post any, best of luck in your search

 

[CLB]

I think that Quicksilver have upped their game recently and are producing some very good boats. Jeanneau are the masters at mass production and there is little to fault in the Merry Fisher range. No wrong choice here. Buy the one you like best at your budget.

 

[LadyJ]

All good boats for the price point. I've a Merry Fisher that I'm delighted with but as with most boats, when you buy new (not clear if you are buying new or secondhand but advice still valid), there will no doubt be teething problems so I'd buy from the dealer who is local, recommended and you get on with. That's assuming the 'deal' doesn't differentiate in the first instance. Enjoy whichever you choose and remember your first boat is only bought to establish what you do and don't like and your next boat will be beng looked for in the very near future........

 

[beejay190]

I am also in the market for either a MF645, 695, Beneteau 680 or Quicksilver equivalent-for the 2018 season.
Having had a bow thruster on my previous two boats I am leaning towards the 695 which comes with a bow thruster option. However I wonder whether it is possible to retro fit a thruster to a 645 or 680 as the hull is approx the same length/beam as the 695. Any thoughts most welcome.

 

[benchmark]

Dear All,
I am in Taiwan and just about to buy the first boat in my life.
I have permit to drive a motor boat but never did before. I only took my friends' boats out for fishing.
None of my friend has either Merry Fisher or Quicksilver.

In Taiwan, boating is not very popular so we don't have many choices, Merry Fisher and Quicksilver
are 2 of my choices. They both have a dealer in Taiwan.

If budget is not a concern (they are both expensive here.), which brand would you recommend to me?

I know they are both good, but I can only pick up one.

If you have any word for a newbie like me, please feel free to. Appreciate for your comments.

It Depends on the specific 2 models of these separate brands you are considering. Some of the models I think Merry fisher(jeanneau) are better, others I prefer the quicksilver alternative . Needless to say you have to specify a bit more about which models you are considering.

 

[rwoofer]

I am also in the market for either a MF645, 695, Beneteau 680 or Quicksilver equivalent-for the 2018 season.
Having had a bow thruster on my previous two boats I am leaning towards the 695 which comes with a bow thruster option. However I wonder whether it is possible to retro fit a thruster to a 645 or 680 as the hull is approx the same length/beam as the 695. Any thoughts most welcome.

Fairly sure that the 645 and 695 are the same hull. Only the deck moulding changed with some extra bits bolted onto the 695.

 

[peterjaw]

Thank you very much for all advices, guys.

I am now considering Merry Fisher 795 vs. Quicksilver 755 and Merry Fisher 895 vs. Quicksilver 855.

In Taiwan, the monsoon is quite strong in winter. Even in summer, the weather could change dramatically.
Which brand or model(s) do you think can handle choppy and rough condition better?

By the way, do you know why the price jumps so high from MF795 to MF895? They are only 1 meter different.

 

[peterjaw]

~~ Enjoy whichever you choose and remember your first boat is only bought to establish what you do and don't like and your next boat will be beng looked for in the very near future........

Hi LadyJ,
You are exactly right.

This is the first step of my learning curve. But I hope the next step is
NOT in the "very near future", the boat is so expensive and is
not as easy as automobile market.

I hope my first investment (or expense) can last longer.

 

[benchmark]

I am now considering Merry Fisher 795 vs. Quicksilver 755

Personally i will choose the Merryfisher 795 , its slightly bigger and more to my ally as comes to design.

Merry Fisher 895 vs. Quicksilver 855.

No doubt the Quicksilver 855, you will be very glad that you have an extra side door for the captain. In addition i would prefer 2 smaller motors ( 150hp x 2) instead for one single outboard (300 hp) due to the greater advantage of maneuverability with 2 probs and the advantage of engine redundancy.

Which brand or model(s) do you think can handle choppy and rough condition better?

Both seems to get very good reviews but be aware that these boats ALL have a certain degree of thumping when planing on choppy waters.

By the way, do you know why the price jumps so high from MF795 to MF895? They are only 1 meter different.

Unfortunately that is how it is with boat prices, just like you many of us initially said to heck with the extra 2- 3 feet and opted for the cheaper (only slightly smaller overall lenght boat) but later came to realize that the extra 2-3 feet makes a whole lot of difference when it came to space management in a boat. i learnt the hard way

 

[peterjaw]

Personally i will choose the Merryfisher 795 , its slightly bigger and more to my ally as comes to design.






No doubt the Quicksilver 855, you will be very glad that you have an extra side door for the captain. In addition i would prefer 2 smaller motors ( 150hp x 2) instead for one single outboard (300 hp) due to the greater advantage of maneuverability with 2 probs and the advantage of engine redundancy.



Both seems to get very good reviews but be aware that these boats ALL have a certain degree of thumping when planing on choppy waters.



Unfortunately that is how it is with boat prices, just like you many of us initially said to heck with the extra 2- 3 feet and opted for the cheaper (only slightly smaller overall lenght boat) but later came to realize that the extra 2-3 feet makes a whole lot of difference when it came to space management in a boat. i learnt the hard way

Thank you very much, benchmark.

So, your suggestion is MF795 or Quicksilver855, if I understand you correctly?

Actually, you just point out my worry about the extra 2~3 feet. I believe that everybody likes the "a little bit" bigger boat,
but unfortunately that one costs "a lot more".

 

[rustybarge]

Thank you very much, benchmark.

So, your suggestion is MF795 or Quicksilver855, if I understand you correctly?

Actually, you just point out my worry about the extra 2~3 feet. I believe that everybody likes the "a little bit" bigger boat,
but unfortunately that one costs "a lot more".

The original MF 625 won angling boat of the year, and was 200kg lighter than the later models . As far as I remember I went very well with just 90hp, instead of the heavy 115hp recommended on the later versions.

A bit like the Mk.2 Escort rally car and Lotus 7; often the original is still the best!

 

[benchmark]

Thank you very much, benchmark.

So, your suggestion is MF795 or Quicksilver855, if I understand you correctly?

Actually, you just point out my worry about the extra 2~3 feet. I believe that everybody likes the "a little bit" bigger boat,
but unfortunately that one costs "a lot more".

Yes, that's my personal opinion as per the models you mention.

On the other hand I know that in real life we have to respect our realistic budgets

 

[rwoofer]

The MF855 is considerably bigger in terms of usable space and cabins than the 795 and in my view worth the extra. Whereas I thought the 755/795 seemed a lot more than the 645/795 for even less length difference and no real extra features/utility.

Personal preference, but I would also rate the MF855/895 more highly than the Quicksilver855. Both can have twin engines and both have helm doors, so not sure why an earlier poster cited that as a difference. The Quicksilver has more headroom and consequently bigger top sides. The MF855 is better finished and looks more proportioned. There probably is little difference in actual use.

 

[Bouba]

The MF855 is considerably bigger in terms of usable space and cabins than the 795 and in my view worth the extra. Whereas I thought the 755/795 seemed a lot more than the 645/795 for even less length difference and no real extra features/utility.

Personal preference, but I would also rate the MF855/895 more highly than the Quicksilver855. Both can have twin engines and both have helm doors, so not sure why an earlier poster cited that as a difference. The Quicksilver has more headroom and consequently bigger top sides. The MF855 is better finished and looks more proportioned. There probably is little difference in actual use.

There is some difference, the QS can have inboard or outboard engines up to a max of 400 hp and is rated B
The MF is outboard only upto 300hp and rated C, unless you upspeck it to a B and 400 horses for more money

 

[Jaensch]

Dear All,
I am in Taiwan and just about to buy the first boat in my life.
I have permit to drive a motor boat but never did before. I only took my friends' boats out for fishing.
None of my friend has either Merry Fisher or Quicksilver.

In Taiwan, boating is not very popular so we don't have many choices, Merry Fisher and Quicksilver
are 2 of my choices. They both have a dealer in Taiwan.

If budget is not a concern (they are both expensive here.), which brand would you recommend to me?

I know they are both good, but I can only pick up one.

If you have any word for a newbie like me, please feel free to. Appreciate for your comments.

Hi Peter,

Although it has been years ago for this post, but could you share your final decision with me as I am also looking for a 9Meter boat in Taiwan. Thanks for you kind reply.