Buying new motor – 25hp Mercury or Yamaha – suggestions?

I’m about to pull the trigger on buying a new 25hp outboard motor. Manual start, short shaft for my little river boat – just looking to upgrade from my 9.9 Mercury.

I’ll probably buy it from Cabela’s, they are quoting $3,397 plus sales tax and a $100 license fee or paperwork fee I’m hoping to get out of. That said, I am open to buying a yamaha or something else instead.

If I had more time to search I’d like to look and find a better deal used, but I’ve got 2 little kids and just want to get a super reliable (hence brand new) motor that will run well and last a long time. I kind of feel I’m leaving money on the table by buying “new” and from Cabela’s but just want to be confident in my purchase and I’m not good with motors or mechanical work.

Any suggestions on Mercury vs. Yamaha? Also, any thoughts on the price?

Thanks!
Tony

Lots of money on the table if you look used. I personally would never buy new from cabelas. Maybe from a boat shop, but never cabelas with the way they are these days.
The way they fight about boots I could t imagine a motor issue

Bought new last year a mercury. Only had 1 year on 14 foot. Happy with the 15 hours on it. We’ll see this next year how it works.

It does start with 1 pull and really quite. Very happy with it.

Bought it from a local dealer.

Good luck.

Wow. $3,600 plus by the time you pay tax. Yikes. Just my opinion, but I’d shop that number around real hard. Can’t believe you couldn’t get a real servicing Merc or Yamaha dealer to meet or beat that price.

Personally, I’d buy a new Tohatsu and pocket a whole wad of cash. Or buy a Merc 25 between 1995 and when they quit making the 2 stroke sometime in the early 2000s, I believe. These were the best 2 storke Mercs ever for reliability and performance. Canadian lodges ran these things for years and years, you can’t kill them. My dad has one on the boat we use in Canada and it’s the best combination of speed, low trolling speed, and reliabality I’ve ever used.

Grouse

I would be be looking at the Yamaha 4 stroke if I was in your position. My dad and I did just that probably 6-8 years ago to replace an 80’s merc 2 stroke.

I found a used Yami 25 with electic start for $2700, it’s been a great engine. A buddy of mine had the same one and it was great as well. I am a big fan of the yami’s and if I was buying a new or used outboard that’s what I would be looking at.

I own an 06’ 8hp Merc which is actually a tohatsu and it works great once I get it started. My boat came rigged with Mercs, but if I had the option I would go Yami.

I currently have a 2009 mercury 25 hp 4 stroke with electric start and power trim on my river/winter boat and put about 50 – 75 hours a year on it for the past 3 years. So far very happy with it, only two slight complaints are that it is a bit cold blooded in the winter months for the first start of the day but then runs and starts great the rest of the day and the tiller handle is a bit short for my boat configuration but that was easily solved with a small extension handle. It really runs well with the efi and can trim it up to run really shallow water.

I had an early 2000’s 15 hp Yamaha 4 stroke on a previous boat for about a year and it was a nice motor with no issues. In that vintage the 15 hp and 25 hp were the same motor with different carbs and maybe some other small differences. Yamaha released a new version of the 25 hp 4 stroke last year and it now has efi and can be optioned to have the rpm control buttons on the tiller handle. I don’t have any experience with the new version but looks like a nice motor.

If I were to buy a new 25 hp right now I think I would go with the new Yamaha if the prices were comparable. I agree with the other posts in that I would call around and also consider tohatsu. You might find that the $3400 might not be a bad price at all for a new 25 hp.

I would also go with the new Yamaha.EFI with a nice tiller handle.And lighter and more portable.

milemark_714 wrote:

I would also go with the new Yamaha.EFI with a nice tiller handle.And lighter and more portable.

Don’t disregard Suzuki or tohotsu.

The tohatsu and the merc are the same except the gear shifter. Tohatsu makes the motors. The new Yamaha 25 is over 30 pounds lighter than the merc or tohatsu. Neither motor is truly portable.
I would bet the tohatsu/merc is faster and smoother. It’s a three cylinder vs the Yamaha being a twin.
If buying the tohatsu/merc I would get the 30 hp as it’s identical to the 25 except for the ecu programming.
I had a mercury 30 and it would push my lund rebel over 30 mph by myself.

I really like my Yamaha 25hp efi, but the design does run a little rough at idle. When I ordered it in early 2017 the 20hp suzuki efi was another well regarded option that was also significantly cheaper. As MnPat explained, some 25hp are the same size motor as 30hp, so you have to figure that in the mix too.

I’d buy a Yamaha. Honda would be my second choice. SHOP around deals are out there to be had if you are not in a hurry. Since we are froze up, take your time and get the best price. I would also stick with a marine motor servicing dealer. If you have trouble, cabellas will not be there for you.

Bought yamaha 25 pull start 4 stroke at skeeter boat center chipawa falls just under 3000 with rebate last summer. Runs well.
Good luck

Yamy or Suzuki ( if you had a problem in the boonies it would be easier to find a mechanic who would be happy to work on the Yamaha-Suzukis are reliable too-and look cool)

Randy Wieland wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>milemark_714 wrote:</div>
I would also go with the new Yamaha.EFI with a nice tiller handle.And lighter and more portable.

x4

This is the perfect time of year to be looking for deals. Hit as many boat shows as you can and see what various dealers have to offer. You might find resort tradeins other used,new carryovers and assorted pre season offers. Find a late model major brand and you’ll be good.

I think you’d be happy with either, but if the Yamaha is really 30 lbs lighter, I go that route.

Thanks everyone! Super helpful. Lots to consider.

One more thing to consider 25vs30. Size could be the same but regulations may not. In your area are there any horsepower limits and are they 25?

I put a new Yamaha 25 hp on my boat 2 years ago. No issues and it does everything i need. Give Skeeter Boat Center a call if you are going with the Yamaha. Mine did not cost what they quoted you at Cabelas and it has electric start.

i have a 25 E-Tech couldnt be happier.. Idle control on tiller can bring your rpm down. nice for trolling. Electric start with power tilt. lighter weight than a four stroke also pull start for back up. I was hesitant at first but this engine has been bullet proof..starts well even in the cold. something to think about..I have had Mercs and Honda. This is a good running motor.