Outboard choice --- Yamaha vs Mercury

[peterjaw]

Good day, boaters,
I need to make a decision about which outboard to be used ---
Yamaha V6 4.2L 300 HP or Mercury Verado 300?

I need the suggestions based on your personal experiences or preferences.
I don't need any technical detail or theoratical comparison. I have googled
on the internet but all the articles on the magazines provide only
yes-and-no opinions which lead me further into dilemma.

Thank you very much for your help.

ps. The boat is Quicksilver 855 weekend. (standard option)

 

[Bouba]

Hi Peter, most people agree that modern outboards are all very good and the important thing is your local dealer and mechanic as that is usually where your problems will start. So best thing is to visit both dealers and get a feel for who is going to give the most love to your very expensive engine. Also find the cost of services and which engine needs the most services as the costs really can add up. Also make a list of common parts such as water pumps, spark plugs, oil etc and compare prices and find out which dealer keeps the biggest inventory of parts. Nothing worse than waiting months out of the water waiting for a part to arrive from Japan or America.
But all in all there is no bad choice.
One last point, over here in France the Verado is very popular because there is a yearly tax on boat engines and because of the way it’s calculaled the Verados pay less tax. So check there is no local reason why one engine is a better choice

 

[jfm]

Good day, boaters,
I need to make a decision about which outboard to be used ---
Yamaha V6 4.2L 300 HP or Mercury Verado 300?

I need the suggestions based on your personal experiences or preferences.
I don't need any technical detail or theoratical comparison. I have googled
on the internet but all the articles on the magazines provide only
yes-and-no opinions which lead me further into dilemma.

Thank you very much for your help.

ps. The boat is Quicksilver 855 weekend. (standard option)

I have owned many yams and mercs but of those two I have owned the yam 300 v6 not the Verado, but I have driven the Verado a few times. Both engines are fine so there is no bad answer. Great quality and dealer back up. I would go for the Verado because the Yamaha slightly lacks power until the revs are high, and the Verado sounds nicer imho, but I could fully understand someone choosing the Yam on the grounds it is a quieter smoother engine for cruising use.

 

[[165042]]

I take it the engines are brand new? If so both offer fly-by-wire throttle now though only the Verado integrated steering AFAIK. Had an older 300hp Verado - steering pump failed but Mercury use re-branded GM parts so was a third of the price of the branded unit. Yamaha parts are expensive and no way round it - that said I've owned twin 200s, a 250 and a 300 all V6s and would buy again (apart from the HPDI).

If they're new options on a new boat I would go with the better warranty / value / economy / weight / package in that order.

 

[cvt]

Verado is very popular in sportboat center console market in U.S. in part because of performance,in part because of bling paint jobs available, and in part because of extended warranty that benefits owners who flip boats every 3-5 yrs. My experience,it takes longer to resell a cc with Yammie than Verado.

Yet if you go offshore from Florida,to Caribbean, you'll find Yammie outsells Verado 'cause of broader support available. And more superyacht tenders are Yammie powered than Merc.

 

[scottie]

Never see the Somali pirates in anything other than Yamahas

 

[Mr Googler]

Never see the Somali pirates in anything other than Yamahas

Strong Somali dealership network is there

 

[peterjaw]

Hi Peter, most people agree that modern outboards are all very good and the important thing is your local dealer and mechanic as that is usually where your problems will start. So best thing is to visit both dealers and get a feel for who is going to give the most love to your very expensive engine. Also find the cost of services and which engine needs the most services as the costs really can add up. Also make a list of common parts such as water pumps, spark plugs, oil etc and compare prices and find out which dealer keeps the biggest inventory of parts. Nothing worse than waiting months out of the water waiting for a part to arrive from Japan or America.
But all in all there is no bad choice.
One last point, over here in France the Verado is very popular because there is a yearly tax on boat engines and because of the way it’s calculaled the Verados pay less tax. So check there is no local reason why one engine is a better choice

Thank you very much, Bouba.
Indeed, I need to consider the service from local dealers.

 

[peterjaw]

Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions, guys.

I really like the saying of "Somali dealership".