Preferred Outboard for MF855?

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N D

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Hi All,

After far too long faffing about, I have decided a MF 855 is the boat for me.

There are currently four on the market, with a variety of outboard makes. These include Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha. My previous experience with a Yamaha o/b on a rib was good but I don't have any direct experience / knowledge of Suzuki or Honda engines.

I'd be grateful for the thoughts of any owners etc.

Many thanks, Nick D
 
Honda are made out of granite, not sexy, long life, best warranty. Look who uses them, coastguard in us, harbour masters etc.

Mercury good, verado is a bonkers engine, I had a 200 but bigger ones available.

Friend had a Suzuki 150, frost damaged on the Hamble! Didn't want to know on warranty. Brand new engine too.

No one makes a bad engine but I've had new 100 and 135 HP Hondas and they were/are great.

You will surely need 2 x 250 Hondas to get on the plane?
 
They are all great brands (Honda is my favorite)...I would look at which boat has the largest twin engines
 
Outboard manufacturers these days are "all good" (apart from some dodgy Chinese ones).
The bad ones went out of business years ago (looking at you, "West Bend", and your overheating engine).

Honda and Yamaha stand out as being boring but reliable, used commercially by sailing clubs, RNLI etc.
Mercury have a sexier and racier image, even though several of their engines are made in conjunction with Tohatsu.
Suzuki don't really have an image, they are just engines, and I'm sure they work well for their owners.
Tohatsu are the "Kia" of the outboard world: a bit cheaper but technically great.

Overall I wouldn't choose one boat over another based on the brand of the engine, unless the colour it was painted clashed with my shirt.
Instead I would choose based on the overall condition and history of the boat.
But bear in mind you will need someone to service / fix the outboard every now and again, so choosing one with no local dealer might not be a smart move.
 
SC35 said:
Overall I wouldn't choose one boat over another based on the brand of the engine, unless the colour it was painted clashed with my shirt.
Instead I would choose based on the overall condition and history of the boat.
Click to expand...
I agree with that, but I’d also point out that most boat buyers are pretty uninformed.

All things being equal I’d buy one with the lowest hours, because once you get towards 1000 hours, they become hard to sell.
 
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Thanks all for your helpful replies.

The boats I am looking at come with 2 x Yamaha F150, 2 x Suzuki DF150, 2 x Honda BF150 and 1 x Suzuki DF300 respectively.

A couple appear to have suspiciously low hours (e.g. 190 hours on a 9 year old boat).

Nick D
 
N D said:
Thanks all for your helpful replies.

The boats I am looking at come with 2 x Yamaha F150, 2 x Suzuki DF150, 2 x Honda BF150 and 1 x Suzuki DF300 respectively.

A couple appear to have suspiciously low hours (e.g. 190 hours on a 9 year old boat).

Nick D
Click to expand...
Low hours on a boat is not unusual...some people just can’t get to their boats for a variety of reasons (and don’t forget that we lost a couple of boating years to covid)...also they may not be the original engines...they could be replacements if the original were stolen or something.
Out of that choice....300 total horsepower is marginal on that size boat...just about enough. I would prefer two engines for maneuverability but you have to offset that with the service costs....if undecided look at the boat... does one have a bow thruster ?....radar ?...tv...vhf...shore power....generator....air conditioner.....etc etc. Check who ticked the most option packages when new
 
N D said:
Thanks all for your helpful replies.

The boats I am looking at come with 2 x Yamaha F150, 2 x Suzuki DF150, 2 x Honda BF150 and 1 x Suzuki DF300 respectively.

A couple appear to have suspiciously low hours (e.g. 190 hours on a 9 year old boat).

Nick D
Click to expand...
300hp on a boat that size and weight is not really sufficient as Bouba states.

What is the hull rated to?

I would have thought 2 x 250 was more like it.

I had a 200 verado on a 6.9 metre sports cruiser (see profile pic) That gave 35 knots top end, 20-25 cruise.

Fuel consumption at 19 knots = 30 litres and hour, 35 knots was nearer 90 litres....
 
Hot Property said:
300hp on a boat that size and weight is not really sufficient as Bouba states.

What is the hull rated to?

I would have thought 2 x 250 was more like it.

I had a 200 verado on a 6.9 metre sports cruiser (see profile pic) That gave 35 knots top end, 20-25 cruise.

Fuel consumption at 19 knots = 30 litres and hour, 35 knots was nearer 90 litres....
Click to expand...

300hp on a 3000kg boat is not underpowered.
Max engines is 2x 200hp, but limited boats for sale with those.
 
SC35 said:
300hp on a 3000kg boat is not underpowered.
Max engines is 2x 200hp, but limited boats for sale with those.
Click to expand...
I’ve just sold a boat with 300hp at half that weight, or near enough. Never thought it overpowered.

I’ve got 2 petrol outboards of modern extraction now, a honda and a yamaha. Cant choose between them as both are reliable and do everything asked of them. My previous engines were Mercury, also good. I’d say, as above, the makers name is distinctly secondary. Hours and overall condition, and age are the significant thing. And a service record.
 
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