Not a huge Mercury fan, and havent heard much about them since they joined with Bass Pro Shops.
I am looking at the 18ft Bay Boat, but just not sure what to think and dont know anyone who has a Mako.
the new mako bay boats had alot of 4 stroke mercs which are actually yamaha motors
I had one for a while, and it was a great little boat
like all the boat in that class, the wiring was marginal, but the hull was fine
mine was the one with the spatter finish on the inside
I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
Mako has always been a good boat, but it is not what it used tobe. Less glass, more spatter floor as chris V. stated; depends on your price range. Post on inshore forum, you’ll get some REALLY good opinions…PS: I am a Merc fan pretty much, my rating #1-Suzuki, #2-Honda, #3-Yammy/Merc; but you will get many, many opinions different from mine of course.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
mac
why do you put suzuki #1
due to the corrosion issues, and suzuki refusing to cover corrosion, and their terrible customer service, I put them last.
the others, move around based on horsepower, and application.
for example…
honda has the best 50,60,90,135and 4 stroke 225 they make the only 4 stroke 135, and the lightest 90 4 stroke
the merc opti 115 is great for flats boats,and the opti 150 and 225 are awesome motors
yamahas 150and 250 are excellent
and even the little 30-40 tohatsu is the best little motor I have ever used and or worked on.
I am just waiting for a decent 70hp and 115 4 stroke to come out
honda was teh first to finally make a true 90hp 4 stroke.
I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vmac
why do you put suzuki #1
due to the corrosion issues, and suzuki refusing to cover corrosion, and their terrible customer service, I put them last.
the others, move around based on horsepower, and application.
for example…
honda has the best 50,60,90,135and 4 stroke 225 they make the only 4 stroke 135, and the lightest 90 4 stroke
the merc opti 115 is great for flats boats,and the opti 150 and 225 are awesome motors
yamahas 150and 250 are excellent
and even the little 30-40 tohatsu is the best little motor I have ever used and or worked on.
I am just waiting for a decent 70hp and 115 4 stroke to come out
honda was teh first to finally make a true 90hp 4 stroke.I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
cv … yamaha has come out with a new 70hp 4 stroke that is supposed to it
quote:
Originally posted by PACKScreekholeNot a huge Mercury fan, and havent heard much about them since they joined with Bass Pro Shops.
I am looking at the 18ft Bay Boat, but just not sure what to think and dont know anyone who has a Mako.
the boat is the old Kenner Vision. heck of good hull.
I agree with you Chris; just my experience and Miss Emily’s experience, who I fish with. The zuki’s seem to be better keeping tuned-up, and more dependable on service. Mine have all been used, so can’t speak to warranty issues; corrosion has never been a problem for me or Miss Emily as I can remember. As I stated, I knew my opinion would not be very popular; and CERTAINLY I value your opinion over mine, just giving my experience. I have owned 2 Mercs, no problems; 3 Johnson/ev’s, several problems; 2 Yammy’s, no problems; 2 Zuki’s, NO problems at all. Only 3 of the 9 were under warranty, so not too much warranty experience for me, unlike you guys. lol, I respect your opinion very much…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
p-k
I havent seen the new 70
need to do a little research
mac
I didnt mean for you to think I was opposed to your opinion, I was just curious what you were basing the opinion on.
so often, people repeat what they hear, and do not have first hand knowledge, so I was just curious. thats also why I posted specific motors.
we have had numerous issues with corrosion related problems on very new motors (less than 6 months old), and suzuki wasnt there for the people.
in contrast, honda just replaced an entire midsection on a 3 year old 225 because some corrosion was blistering off the paint.
I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
Thank both of you (Mac and Chris) for posting first hand information about Suzuki. I’m a Yammi and E-Rude guy. BUT… I will listen to ANY first hand information about any boat or motor…
… and I have never been on a Mako.
Now to the boat issue, older Makos rode very good in rough water, but you may not be concerned about that in that size boat. So, the inshore crowd as stated would be your best source. Soooooooo many considerations: price, resale, warranty, reputation, type of fishing,[shallow or no], flats boat[push pole even], need more info for those guys you’ll get a very good answer…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
This site is not so Suzuki crazy and it has alot to do with dealer support and service availability. I have owned several Suzuki 2 strokes over the years and they were all awesome. They are dependable, overbuilt and easy to work on. I think they are fast also.
I lived on the outerbanks of NC for years and all the commercial crabbers have them on the back of their boats for a reason.
I have had a great experience with them. No corrosion whatsoever, but i have heard mechanics call them “alka seltzers” because they dissolve in water 
I maintain my sh&t meticulously and that doesn’t hurt when it comes to avoiding the corroded lower unit bolts , etc.
Rick
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vp-k
I havent seen the new 70I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
Chris … the first one was put on the new HPX-T
See pics in link
My intentions are mostly around the shallows and oyster bars, not as much as actual flats where I need to pole the boat. I also want to boat that can handle jetties and even some of the nearshore reefs on calmer days.
quote:
Originally posted by mac daddyNow to the boat issue, older Makos rode very good in rough water, but you may not be concerned about that in that size boat. So, the inshore crowd as stated would be your best source. Soooooooo many considerations: price, resale, warranty, reputation, type of fishing,[shallow or no], flats boat[push pole even], need more info for those guys you’ll get a very good answer…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
I owned a Mako for 5 years and loved that boat. My boat was a 1994 offshore boat. Bass Pro purchased Mako in 95 and the line has big time gone down hill. I hear that their quality has improved in the past couple of years, but Makos are not nearly as respected as they use to be.
I do not know much about the inshore boat market, but I would think that you could find a boat for a similar price without all the baggage. Many people will not buy Makos any longer(myself included unless hull is pre-1995). Resale will be more difficult as a result. SeaCrafts unfortunately are in the same position.
As far as engines, I think they are all pretty solid now. I prefer Yamaha, but Mercury and Suzuki make great engines as well. I have a Merc now but it is tough to compare b/c it is a 2 stroke. 80% of the issues you have with engines now is more gas related. I think all of the outboards are very solid now. Personally, I think Yamaha commands a better resale b/c of the brand loyalty there.
ecu, its not dealer support, its factory support. hanckle and butler are both good local dealers that handle suzuki.
they build a really great motor, but no matter how good it is, there are going to be failures, and its at that time when you really need them, they arent there for the customers, like honda, mercury yamaha and even tohatsu.
We work on hundreds and hundreds of motors, of all brands, and sorry to say, suzuki is by far, the worst at backing up their product. they may even have a lower failure rate than the others, but when they do fail…
I’m now at www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
Chris,
I hear ya and don’t disagree. We all like what we have had the best experience with and I have been “blessed” with good dependable Suzukis. I probably just jinxed myself 
I have never had new enough to worry about Factory support and seem to be able to get plenty of parts used or new. I like Yamahas alot also and don’t like Mercs because the ones I owned were always giving problems. I bet there are people that have had a merc and never had a problem and therefore think Mercs are the best. I think it all comes down to what we have had the best experience with, but you have a better perspective as you work on them all, day in and day out.
Rick
i ran a 2000 18ft Kenner Vision, if they are the mako hulls now, you will be happy, my boat was very dry and rode slight chop well. the only thing i did not like on my boat was that I repowered with a 130 honda and all 500 lbs on the back end caused me to draft more than i would like.
“The amount of money I’ll be makin would hurt your parents feelings. Remember the class where I taught you all how to make it rain? That’s what I’ll be doin every night, dollar…dollar…bills y’all.”
Go here, Triple Bogey is the son of the founders and it gives a complete history of the Mako Boats
http://www.classicmako.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22234
After Andrew, Mako was sold off. 1996 and older hulls are when the issues started to arise.
BTW, I love my Mako, its a good solid boat. Not flashy or gimmicky just a get you there and back kinda boat.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne