Honda Vs. Yamaha

[FLBowhunter]

Ok I think I have finally decided on a boat. The new 198 DLV Carolina Skiff. I have gone to two different marinas both price out the same, however, the one dealer sells Yamahas and says they are the best the other sells Hondas and Yamahas and said the Honda will be better. I am looking at the 115 4-strokes. Any opinions? I like both brands and both have good reputations. The price difference is only a couple hundred dollars. I am wondering about performance, longevity and resale down the road. The Honda has a five year warranty and the Yamaha a six. The dealer who sells both says the Honda warranty is actually better because it is through Honda and the extra three years on the Yamaha is a third party insurance company. I know this is probably the same as the Ford vs. Chevy question but I appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Scott

[Caninelaw]

Scott,

I can only give you info on the Honda 4 stroke. I have a 50 hp on my boat. It is very reliable. I have had two problems with it so far. One was a bad sparkplug and the other was when I ran some old gas through it that I let sit too long and gummed it up. Ohter then that, no problems, however I don't use it as much as I'd like to so I probaly only have a couple hundred hours total on it, (got it in 2001).

[swampy tim]

I think either one is going to be "the best engine" you ever had. My Dad (who keeps his boat in S.W. Florida) has a Yammaha 115 on his 21'6" Angler CC and it does everything beautifully. Fast out of the hole, very quiet and very economical to use. (As a side note I recently bought a peice of equipment and wanted it with a Honda motor but it wasn't available). I would compair the wash out system on them both. The Yamaha has a hose connection to flush the motor after use in salt water. Very conveineint feature.

[DukeMaster]

I'd be very interested as to your decision. I'm looking to repower in that range also. Have you looked into the evinrude Etec's? Also consider that most boat packages come under powered. When i initially bought my 19 footer it was a 43 knot boat with the 115 yamaha. Now with a radar tower and an on deck 25 gallon bait tank I have a slower hole shot and can only muster 35 knots. I understand the honda's may weigh a bit more and for me thats a factor to consider. I don't like my transom sitting to low.

[FLBowhunter]

I ended up going with the Honda 115 four stroke. It is slightly heaver than the Yamaha. So far no problems, however I only have like fifty hours on it. I let you know.