I’m looking at a small skiff. If you had your choice of either of these which would you go for? I know the Suzuki has been around for a while and has a good reliability record but the Merc performs better (higher top speed and hole shot) but don’t know how reliable it is. Thanks in advance.
I’ve had two Mercury’s and one Suzuki. Suzuki all day long… The only thing my Suzuki ever needed replaced was a 80 dollar solenoid. Suzuki gets my vote.
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
I second that. I had a Mercury one time and that was enough for me. It was a long time ago and I feel sure the new ones are much better, but my 140 has never once even thought about letting me down.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by tigerfinmy 140 has never once even thought about letting me down.
it told me once you were running it to hard, and if you didn’t stop it was going to break, so it did think about:stuck_out_tongue:
This will be a new engine. Did Merc redesign the 60 recently or is it just a redesigned cowling I know Merc has a bad reputation in this area, but I’d like this conversation to avoid comparisons with engines outside of this discussion. I only say that b.c you could, for example, reference the old Optimax engines which isn’t really relevant.
I know the Suzuki 60 has a pretty good reliability record but I know very little of the Merc 60 except that it has very good low end torque and top end performance (not to say the Suzuki is a dog).
Also, I’m not familiar with any of the dealers in the area that provide warranty work for Suzuki or Mercury, so if anyone has any first hand knowledge, I would appreciate their input.
I have the Suzuki 60 and absolutely love it. I picked the Suzuki primarily because it was the lightest in its class and got the best gas mileage. Mine is on an 18 foot poling skiff. The hole shot is good and it will run forever on a tank of gas.
if I was choosing between the 2 the mercury would be the lesser of the 2 evils
mercury has a great reputation for standing behind the product, Suzuki is much weaker in that area
I haven’t dealt with any of the zukes newer than thn 2010, but prior to that, they had excessive corrosion issues.
dealer support in this area is also stronger with merc.
longshore
duncans
whitton
searay
I think butler is the only zuke dealer in the area, but hanckle may still work on them
but I would pay extra and get a yamaha
quote:
I would pay extra and get a yamaha
X2 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
I would pay extra and get a yamaha
X2
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
May as well get an F70 then.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
The Yamaha is out of the picture. The performance isn’t as good and for whatever reason beyond my understanding, it’s difficult to find the right prop for it (maybe not enough low end torque???). If those things weren’t the case, then it would be the obvious choice. I’m leaning towards the Merc at this point but am open to any other info. Thanks for the help thus far.
I have a 2013 Mercury 60 four stroke. Hasn’t missed a lick since I have had it. Also have had 2 Suzuki’s (they were great as well). I think it will come down to dealer and service support. With that, you probably have a better Mercury network around here.
John
Pathfinder 23 HPS
I agree. I’ve owned several Mercury’s and they were all reliable. Never owned a Zuke but know many who do. I think they are probably both equally as good quality. With things being equal, I’d go for the best dealer support and parts availability.
Which is why I like Yamaha, seems to be a dealer on every corner in most of the world, and a lot of people who know how to work on them.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
My shrimping buddy has a 2013 Merc60 on a 17’ MakoProSkiff. Runs about 36mph wot. Never had a problem. Strong - quiet - and sips gas. X3 on the service nearby. Only thing that took getting use to was the fuel injection and the throttle control handle. A good bit of movement before it acts but, it is in the same place every time. Backing out of the poles shrimping you got where you just knew to move it about 2" before you got gas and could ease out. Came close to taking a dip a couple times due to that when it was new and us not use to it. I’ve had them all but a suzi. Can’t really say on them. I too would lean Yammi and then Merc.
J Ford
Lrobalo, where are you getting your Merc serviced?
quote:
Originally posted by YnRLrobalo, where are you getting your Merc serviced?
Last September, I bought a new (at the time) 2013 Mako 17 Pro Skiff from Marshall’s Marine in Georgetown. I have only had it serviced once (20 hour) since I bought it. I made the drive up from Charleston. They do a really good job, plus have a nice lounge. big screen TV and a massage chair to sit in while you wait. I’ll probably keep going there since that’s where I bought everything, plus, being retired, time isn’t a real concern. lol Her eis a pic
John
Pathfinder 23 HPS
Heres some info that may be helpful. The standard Suzuki has a gear ratio of 2.27:1, Merc and Yamaha at 1.83 and 1.85:1. If you go with either of the laters high thrust models they are both 2.33:1. Mercury tests their high thrust models on the skiffs. The lower gear ratio allows a larger diameter prop to be used and offers a better selection.
This would probably explain what youve heard about lack of torque and hard to prop on the Yamaha.It would nt make much difference on a high performance skiff but on the flat bottom or heavier boats it would.
I own a carolina skiff with the standard 60 hp Yamaha. While I haven`t had any problems with it, I would have chosen the high thrust model had I known better.I would also have opted for the F70 had it been available at the time.