Is Yamaha or Mercury Better

A long time ago, is a galaxy far, far, away, it was Mercury vs. Johnson/Evinrude. Those days have passed. Now your main outboard engine manufactures are Suzuki, Honda, Tohatsu, Mercury and Yamaha. The last two are the largest and most popular. That and many advantages. Is Yamaha or Mercury better? In this video we cover:

0:00 Intro.
0:42 Which is better, Mercury or Yamaha?
1:34 Brand Loyalty
2:20 Which is best in the mid horsepower range?
3:00 Important considerations.
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[boatinglessons]

What is your opinion; what is the best boat outboard engine brand?

[MrJohnestall]

I purchased a Yamaha 3 hp Malta outboard 29 years ago, it’s been underwater in the sea twice . It still runs as it did new,

[ripperace]

Interesting thing about Mercury. The small, up to 40hp outboards, are Tohatsu outboards with Merc hookups, Merc cowlings, and phantom black paint.

[tomdrummy]

I think it’s kind of like vehicles…….people are loyal to a brand until it gives them problems……then they may switch to another brand. I’ve never had any issues with Yamaha

[matthewreynolds]

I have that same 1980s knee board hanging on the wall. Still use it to this day. I pull it with my Yamaha 40 hp, which has been super reliable. Great video.

[The.Norwegian]

i am a certified technician on both Yamaha and Mercury outboards. We are the guys who have to travel several hours away to fix your new engine if you experience a problem. After 12 years of doing this, i want you all to hear this: Buy a Yamaha. Everything on a Mercury takes at LEAST twice as much time to fix, and they break down a whole lot more often than Yamahas. I just want to spend time with my wife and son...

[gaycha]

Been running an F225 in UK for 15 years with nothing more than routine maintenance. Never missed a beat. That builds brand loyalty

[bubbleobill]

I’ve owned both and they were both excellent motors.

[danielsoutdoors]

No one has even taken delivery of the new v10 400 Mercury so we don’t know how that will perform long term yet.

[SIBXCDA]

Great, informative video. One significant difference between Yamaha & Mercury in a (30HP) outboard is the massive weight difference. I recently outfitted a 16" SIB and went with the Mercury 30ELHPT over Yamaha's F30LEHA, due to the the Mercury being 78 lbs. lighter. For my purposes (outfitting a lightweight boat, ) it was a no-brainer. Yamaha uses the 40HP head and "depowers" it to 30HP. Also, Mercury recently switched to a resin manifold, making for an even lighter powerplant.

[OutboardTechGuy]

Mercury v8 in 3 years have a 16000 hours in police department Puerto Rico

[alexanderjansen]

I have owned many many mercury outboards including most recent 2020 20 efi, fantastic motors, quiet, reliable and I will never go to anything else.

[RifleCard]

I love me a good mercury, I've had my 40hp for a while and have only had a overheating problem one time all it needed was a new water pump, easy fix.

[kirkwilliams]

There is a reason one of the best boats money can buy for the ocean is the Boston Whaler. They only run Mercury. That said, we loved our Suzuki.

[InsidertecPrapo]

According to our experience here in the Parana delta in Tigre, at the same power Yamaha offers (in the 20-90 HP range) better performance (with little difference, obviously) and less noise.... On the other hand, Mercury has better internal durability of components, especially in engines with many hours of use, the block and cylinder head are in better condition than those of Yamaha (and other Japanese firms).
greetings from Argentina

[tonyv]

Yamaha F200, never had a problem. Only regular maintenance such as oil change, impeller, and anode replacement. Going on 1700 plus hours so far and no issues offshore being stranded.

[guyh.]

Okay, I have a question for you. You said that Suzuki was better for the lower end motors. Then you jumped to the "why the hell do you need that big of motors" engines

My question to you is What about the Mid-Size motors. The 65s upto100 hp?

[AlexGarcia-ewfv]

Here in Miami.Florida..every boat has a Yamaha motor on its transom...even law enforcement boats use Yamis...Yamaha owns over 40% of the outboard market worldwide n sells more motors then anyone else...that's telling u something

[starrider]

Yamaha for me. During my 25yr navy career, we used Yamaha outboards exclusively without any issues. I also had twin Yamaha 85's on my personal offshore fishing boat and never had any problems.

[Warben]

That see your slipway for the brand most used and nearby dealer preferred brand is spot on