Yamaha 25hp Tiller’s: Any feedback is appreciated

Since I don’t want to drop the coin on an Explorer for probably two years, I decided to buy a new motor. I’ve just about settled on a Yamaha 25. I just don’t know which model yet. What I’m wondering is how easy does a manual 25 Yamaha start. It’s important to point out that I’ve been running a 1960’s Evinrude 18 for many years. I really want the 4 stroke Yamaha, but for some reason I’m thinking the manual start is going to be hard starting. I have no idea why I feel that way. Of course the dealers I’ve spoken with all say I should get the electric start.

Here’s the average cost of the Yamaha’s I’ve priced:

2-Stroke manual 25hp: $2440
4-stroke manual 25hp: $2810
4-Stroke Electric 25hp: $3075
4-Stroke Electric 30hp: $5200 (I was curious)

I’ve also looked at the Hondas and really want one of those, but can’t see paying that much more for a motor I anticipate keeping for only a couple years. The Johnson’s I looked at were right there with the Yamahas as far as price. I’m assuming the Mercs are there as well, but haven’t checked.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

I would think about the electric start. That 4 stroke most likely wont start as easy as a well tuned 2 stroke. My honda 25 4 stroke does need some pulling at times to start. Not sure if the yamaha will be the same. From what I have heard and seen 4 strokes do take more effort to start than a 2 stroke. Maybe someone with a little more mechanical knowledge than me can explain why.
$2800 for a new 4 stroke. That sounds like a good deal.
I have had my honda for a year now and am wondering if I should of went with the yamaha. The honda is a little louder than I would like and will only troll down to a little under 2mph. Not sure if the yamaha is any better than this but one does have to wonder.
Weight of the motors is also something to think about. The honda should be the lightest in the class. The yamaha should be right there also. If I remember right the merc’s where almost 100# heavyer. This is something to consider if you are putting the motor on a older boat.

I have a 25HP Yamaha 4 stroke tiller with electric start. I bought it 2 seasons ago. I have not had a reason to try to start it with the rope though. But the motor was the best purchase I made for my boat. Whisper quiet, easy starter, uses sh__ for gas. Got it for $2750 two years ago. In my humble opinion it’s a no-brainer. Good shopping.

Mike,

I believe the extra “oomph” a 4 stroke requires is because there’s more to the motor. A 2 stroke is the most basic combustible motor design……….nothing to them. I know on most 4 stroke dirt bikes, they have a compression release cable to aid in the starting. Without it, it just gets to be a real pain.

Back in 1992 I bought a 25 hp oil injected 2-stroke pull start Yamaha and it was my best purchase till I upgraded last year. Pull the coil rope half way and it fired every time regardless if it was a cold start or hot start….the 2 stroke Yamaha seems to only have improved. My dad bought a 2001 Yamaha 2 stroke 25 hp pull start (after owning evinrudes all his life) and it runs just like my 1992 Yamaha (they burn very little gas and are whisper quiet, actually forgot to turn the engine off before pulling it out of the water…couldn’t here it running )On my smokercraft I could troll down to 1 mph. Needless to say I stuck with Yamaha, last year bought a Yamaha 115 4-stroke, runs like a charm and it will troll down below 2 mph. To sum it all up, I would not hesitate to buy a Yamaha. I have heard from my dealer also that the 4-strokes do have a higher compression and would reccomend an electric start

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that you have ignition every 720 degrees with a 4 stroke as apposed to every 360 with a 2 stroke. Just that many more chances to get an actual power stroke. One more thing I like about the 4 stroke, no smell, none.

I really appreciate all the replies. Even though AppleCanyonTammy wants me to go ahead and buy the Explorer, I’m going with the Yamaha 4-stroke electric 25. AppleCanyonTammy isn’t as “frugal” as I am. Anyway, my dad is very pleased that at least the “Old 18” will be retired for good. He still reminds me of a couple years ago, when I was up in crooked slough when I shouldn’t have been, and Bellevue water rescue had to come up and find me. The old 18 failed me that day, and no one else was up in the slough all day and part of the night to help out. That’s a story for another time. I will say this though, that motor served dad well for multiple decades, and me for almost as many. I only hope the “New 25” will last a fraction as long.