I honestly never thought about your point made on #1... I grew up on my old man's 2 strokes and remember him yelling from the truck while I floated out to oblivion "give it gas, choke it, pump the bulb!"... now I sit down, touch the key and vrooom
My Uncle still has his father's 1971 (maybe 1972) 3 cylinder 60HP Johnson outboard. In the family since New, and installed on my grandfather's red boat while at the launch ramp. It has 1000s upon 1000s upon 1000s of hours on it across 3+ boats over the last 50 years. Never had the lower unit replaced, or anything serious, and just beat on and kept going. Still got it stored in the garage, waiting for the next boat.
I’m a Mercury die hard. The truth is there’s not a single bad motor on a transom anymore. All of them are solid. The difference is customer service and warranty.
Only true experts know that the 3 cylinder Yamaha 2 stroke outboards were the best ever. They were reliable, very powerful and had a huge range in horsepower. For example a 1992 60hp 2-stroke Yamaha 3 cylinder engine. Best ever, ask the fisherman, ask the ski boat owners. Greetings from the Netherlands
I am with you there. Much better than the F150 with rotting Exhaust and Plastic Balance Shaft Gears that made the list. Right from 1984 90hp Dad's first non OMC Motor, still rolling today. Also have it in 30hp version, and 130 V4 is almost as indestructible as the 3 cylinder ones, but not quite as dependable.
I’ve got one of those 25hp Mercs from the late 80s. I was given it for free, put a CDI and prop on it and it’s been flawless ever since. We also used the 15hp Evinrude on our steel hunting boats for years. They are a staple on ever lake you go to.
I was with you until the pro xs came up. Around here pretty much every one of them on a used boat has had a new powerhead at some point. I was surprised to not see the 3cyl Yamaha motor on the list. I would also add the omc v4 motors, super reliable, they are still running all over the lakes today. The omc 9.9/15 absolutely deserves a top 3 spot, the last one i had was by far the smoothest idling and shifting motor i have ever had. It would literally slide in and out of gear like butter, in or out of the water.
I have a mercury 25 hp. 2 stroke short shaft 2001 model with uncountable hours on it. It truly is an amazingly piece of equipment. I have also ran 250 PRo XS on Toledo, Rayburn and the red river bass fishing 100s and 100s of hours with very little if any issues that wasn’t self inflicted…mostly to the lower. Great motors.
i love suzuki, strong and reliable, over the past 8 yrs havnt seen one with a major failure, had several come in with cowling damage due to freight but overall price to reliablility, ease of maintance and easy to work on suzuki gets the W
@@TeamMarineService we mainly saw 150-200's not suzukis fault but cost cutting the shipping i feel was the problem. we have had suzuki bikes come in damaged alot from the same shipping company.
I have a 92 140HP Evinrude it has always been very good until this year. Had to do fuel pump and new valve on the primer solenoid. I am planning to repower! It is rated for 150 so maybe I’ll find a F150 I can afford but might go Suzuki new. On last boat I had a 79 85 hp Evinrude and that thing was great it idled nice and was fast. It was very loud but never left me stranded.
Thanks for the vid. I had a 2003 225 Merc EFI big block on my racing boat with a sportsmaster box, I thrashed the crap out of it and it never quit, now with a 2000 200 Yamaha HPDI (not raced)and it has never disappointed me. Both 2 strokes..
I got the 25 mercury sea pro 2012 two stroke. And I hit rocks full speed with it went through rapids with it. Saved my uncle from 6 foot waves with it. And it barely got me home but I got it fixed and serviced lately and I still got it. also I just changed to a new propeller after many years. Same lower unit. The 25 mercury’s are bullet proof.
Thoughts on early Yamaha HPDI engines, specifically 300Hp. Seems to be conflicting opinions, as with most things, but from a tech/service perspective what have you seen?
25-30hp Johnson on a lot of Jon Boats. Mine is pull start and I duck hunt every year and it starts in 2-3 pulls in the morning with temps in the teens, trolls as slow as you want to for Walleye’s. If it has any knocks is noise.
I just bought a 2002 150 optimax for 3500. Motor has 200 hours abs looked like it rolled of the showroom floor. It literally cranks just like the four strokes. Burns 2.4 gallons an hour wide open. Uses little oil. Love it.
Make sure the compressor bolts aren’t lose. Don’t believe in looks … they are deceiving. I got 500 hrs out of my 1st 2002 175 Opti. 2.4 gal at WOT. ????
Bull ALL outboards wide open whether 2vor 4 stroke burn 10% of the horsepower give or take a wee bit 15gl an hour for a 150 wide open At 4000rpm it drops substantially which in 2 strokes is the most efficient
had a 2002 mercury 2 stroke 20hp , same as the 25 , in the 17 years we had it since new, we only changed the impeller once and spark plugs twice, never cleaned the carb, never had a issue
Still running my 2000 Johnson 70hp. Fast reliable and is the same motor as my uncles 91 evinrude 70hp. Both are still great runners and mine routinely outruns the new 115hp four strokes. Pro XS, Yamaha, Suzys doesn’t matter. Although I haven’t run into any SHOs yet.
I have an old Johnson 9.9 noted to be bullet proof. Pushing a 14 ft Lonestar. I had no real problems with it but it is loud at high speed. I also have a 1989 Evinrude 225 looper. It pushes a 1980 Hydrosports cuddy. VRO disconnected and ran good but hard on gas. I hope to use it again after not using it for several years. I plan of giving it a thorough going over before using.
Like the list, but up here in the NW I think fishermen would put the Yamaha t-8 on the list. It was bulletproof. I put a couple thousand hours on mine and never did anything except change the plugs and oil. In the low hp world this was the best.
I had a 1999 or 1998 susuki 70 on a 16ft aluminum that was so reliable and indestructible. Plus barely used any gas and I would always run at full throttle. I would run 3 or 4 days on vacation and not add any gas. I don't remember the size of the gas tank but it was a 16 ft alumacraft dominator cs.
I had a Mercury 15hp, which was a detuned 25hp, and I am ashamed by the abuse I gave it. It always started first pull and always got us home. Relatively fuel efficient smooth. I had to sell it due to moving to college but now I am in the market for a new one.
@@PeteaahOhasian You're right, I was thinking of the 20hp motor. It was a fairly common swap where I used to live in south Texas due to fast river currents and shallow waters. It didn't give much on the top end, typically only gave 1-2 mph extra on the top end. The advantage was better hole-shot performance and torque without adding weight. It was on a 15ft 1536 Alumacraft flat bottom Jon-boat.
The best outboard of all time is the OMC big twin. Starting from 1951 until whenever they stopped making 'em with points. Still have my 1959 35 hp. Works great.
They had a five year warranty that covered everything if I recall correctly. But I will stick with my 21ft 10in. Kevlar Bullet / 250 pro X Merc for now
I just retired a 1976 200 Evinrude because a mechanic put a lower unit on that the shaft was not long enough and the only thing I had to do was the water pump and One power pack.
I have a 2007 mercury optimax 225 on my champion and it has started first crank every time and I have never done any work on it neither did my dad who gave it to me
I'm glad you love Suzuki outboards good for you. I have a 2018 suzuki 25 hp. That thing has cost me an extra 800 dollars as to why you open it up for about a mile then falls on it's face and leaves you looking for a tow. Ten minutes later it will start and go about half that far and repeat. New high pressure fuel pump all new lines all new everything and until we drilled a bigger vent hole in my fuel tank caps and I'm guarded optimistic as it was September by the time we figured it out. On the other hand I have a Honda bf-90. It starts every time. I say go and it says where. That follows a 2007 bf-90 that was the same way
What year are you talking with the Merc 25hp? I thought they were a big draw in the early 80's, like 1983. And the Evinrude/Johnson 15 HP; how about the 9.9? Don't they share the same block, etc, except for the carbs?
Yamaha F150 had big problems with balance shaft synthetic gears failing and trashing motors, took 2 or 3 redesigns to finally solve the problem. Made sure it has been updated
Hey what about the tahatsu TDi I have one for years and beat the s*** out of it always started I personally think it's a really underrepresented motor And really underrated where you're thoughts
What about the old Chrysler and Force 115 to 125 four cylinder two strokes from the 1980s? I had Force 125 that must have had 2,000 hours on it. Only thing I ever had to replace was a $15 rectifier.
Dive in to the late 90's and early 2005 and then give us your take on what can be done on the lil 25's that alot of us lot loved running in the woods... Thanks guy...
Had a 150 fast strike on a 18 ft hydro sport. Fastest 150.on the water, in the repair shop every year I owned it. Have a new V8 pro xs, (2019) so far fantastic, amazing hole shot amazing top end, sips gas, Cruze at 50 at 4700 rpms
you always see old Mercury's at the boat ramps still going. even the old belt buckle mercury still going . why I run mercury. I have a Yamaha 115 4 stroke. I'm always working on that thing . my 115 mercury runs circles around it . Great video.
I love my evinrude intruder 150 it always does me good only had 1 issue with my carburetor leaking gas but other than that it still to this day runs perfect and tip top!
I would say, that a Yamaha 15 F series 2 stroke is by far the most reliable outboard of all time. It no flaws at all. It starts, it runs, it idles for hours and it is a motor, you can still put on your transom without breaking your back.
I have a question. So, my grandpa died back in 17, he had a 94 Lowe bass boat with a evinrude 50hp two stroke. I’m just getting into fishing since he passed and I think I’m going to get his boat back in the water.. he had it since new, just curious on how you view that motor or if you have had any dealings with them. I appreciate it
I recently bought a 2003 225 yamamerc 4-stroke EFI I absolutely love it and haven't had a problem yet really want your take on this engine it is saltwater series
Best ever was the Johnson 150 GT in early 1980's. I drove the crap out of mine for 15 yrs. The only thing I had to fix once was a power pack. The boat sank twice due to storms and it still ran. It didn't owe me a thing. I had 3 150 Mercs before that all blew up within weeks of purchase. The best decision was buying that 150 GT.
Hey Andy, I’m not sure about the whole ranking order but your you’re pretty much on point with 225-250 2stroker Opti Pro, 50 three cylinder and the OMC 15hp owned them all and all of them were excellent engines fir their “time”. I think there could have been an honourable mention for the OMC 6hp another bullet proof engine and little brother of the 15hp also in my opinion the OMC 3cylinder 70hp not fast nor nothing technically advanced just found it to be totally reliable. Again the 6 and the 70 were both motors I owned from new “back in the day”. I haven’t owned one but I’ve read numerous reports on the Yamaha 150 4 banger, absolutely bullet proof, I have heard from a number of sources that claim with regular servicing it’s a 3000hr plus engine!
Had a Honda BF200, great motors. Wonder why the Coast Guard had a waiver from federal contracting law to buy a foreign product, the BF225. Because all of the American made competition couldn’t perform up to bid specifications.
My #1 was a 150 Promax EFI from mercury racing. I ordered it in 1996. I ran it with a jet pump on a flatbottom Express till 2007. I wrecked the boat and it got hot so I traded it in my dealer had just got a 225X in in trade. Ran it till 2016 and built a new jet sled with a 250 Pro XS. I used to guide and fish the rivers alot so to say that 150 Pro Max had 1000 hours on it at the least, with only doing normal spark plugs and fuel filter replacement was about it . I cant remember any electronic part failing on that motor. But I must say I have decent luck with most of my personal motors because the see alot of use. The rest of my family members are not so lucky I think because they dont use them enough and are not as particular about oil and fuel additives as myself. You probably understand that my outboards with jet pumps see quite a bit of abuse. You run a jet pump outboard in the upper 3rd of it RPM range all the time.
The 1972 Johnson 25hp long shift is a stud. It is not a sea horse but a sea stallion. Wind, sleet and snow are no match. You could bury it in sand and dig it up 100 years later and it would run. You could set it on fire and dance around it all night and it would start in the morning. You could drop it from 50,000 feet and you would not kill it.
Well I just bought a Merc 250, agree there’s no bad choice in that range these days. It’s a big chunk of cash but I’d like to get 15years out of her. Boat is currently having pod installed can’t wait to get it all put together.
I have a 2020 225 pro XS so far so good use it every week at least once! Easy to maintain only complaint is the blue smoke on startup if you don’t trim it level when shut it down after a long run! I’ve heard even the sho does that also!
No TXR250😮? Exhaust corrosion on some of the earlier models is noted but it is a motor that consistently provides 3000-5000 hours of service with minimal maintenance.
No mention of johnson/Evinrude cross flow v 4 ? Not the ones with the pot belly exhaust cover the straight back exhaust cover. Hardest thing to do was therms down low in the pan otherwise pretty good design
I'd love to repower my boat, but cant bring myself to part with me engine. I'm running a 1995 17ft blazer bass boat with a 1979 Johnson 115 2 stroke that runs like new. I've owned several of these motors and never had an issue.
Team Marine, I have a 74 Mercury 20hp 2 stroke. Besides belonging in the Smithsonian, was it a descent motor. It seems to be running fine at the moment.
First time comment, new subscriber, absolutely love the videos, hilarious and true! I’ve got a 99 225 EFI merc on a 99 triton tr20 dc been a great engine, those fall along the lines of this opti’s you talking about?
I honestly never thought about your point made on #1... I grew up on my old man's 2 strokes and remember him yelling from the truck while I floated out to oblivion "give it gas, choke it, pump the bulb!"... now I sit down, touch the key and vrooom
😂😂😂 yeah I have several moments like that with my father
The Evinrude Intruder story with the engineer breaking it in wide open was so awesome.
My Uncle still has his father's 1971 (maybe 1972) 3 cylinder 60HP Johnson outboard. In the family since New, and installed on my grandfather's red boat while at the launch ramp. It has 1000s upon 1000s upon 1000s of hours on it across 3+ boats over the last 50 years. Never had the lower unit replaced, or anything serious, and just beat on and kept going. Still got it stored in the garage, waiting for the next boat.
Got a Johnson 70 and it still runs well. Just loves getting up on the plane. Hates sitting and idling for a long time. Not the most fuel efficient.
I’m a Mercury die hard. The truth is there’s not a single bad motor on a transom anymore. All of them are solid. The difference is customer service and warranty.
I agree. Except for the last generation Evinrude.
Got damn B Lat whats up 🤓
Nailed it
Only true experts know that the 3 cylinder Yamaha 2 stroke outboards were the best ever. They were reliable, very powerful and had a huge range in horsepower. For example a 1992 60hp 2-stroke Yamaha 3 cylinder engine. Best ever, ask the fisherman, ask the ski boat owners.
Greetings from the Netherlands
30DMH Yamaha 3 cylinder 2 stroke
The v4 also
And they were almost a direct copy of the 3cly omc
I am with you there. Much better than the F150 with rotting Exhaust and Plastic Balance Shaft Gears that made the list. Right from 1984 90hp Dad's first non OMC Motor, still rolling today. Also have it in 30hp version, and 130 V4 is almost as indestructible as the 3 cylinder ones, but not quite as dependable.
A 60hp SKI BOAT?
Are you high? 60hp on an aluminum rowboat won't get me out of the water on any ski or skis! Come on, man.
surprised yamaha 90 2 stroke wasn’t on the list. those are little reliable beasts. that goes for all the yami 2T 3 cylinders
I think the 3cyl Johnson/Evinrude’s are damn good engines as well as the V8. Great top 10 list!!
I’ve got one of those 25hp Mercs from the late 80s. I was given it for free, put a CDI and prop on it and it’s been flawless ever since. We also used the 15hp Evinrude on our steel hunting boats for years. They are a staple on ever lake you go to.
Have a 25xd and I'm hoping it'll be a great runner for us! Anything to keep an eye on?
You missed the 40/50 Yamaha 3cyl. Dealers to this day are still setting on ignition parts from the 90’s that they never needed
Have a 50 myself, and a 25.... beat the shit out of em and they just dont quit
The Intruder/Fast Strike were strong underrated motors, but the heat soak/vapor lock issue was a pain.
I was with you until the pro xs came up. Around here pretty much every one of them on a used boat has had a new powerhead at some point. I was surprised to not see the 3cyl Yamaha motor on the list. I would also add the omc v4 motors, super reliable, they are still running all over the lakes today. The omc 9.9/15 absolutely deserves a top 3 spot, the last one i had was by far the smoothest idling and shifting motor i have ever had. It would literally slide in and out of gear like butter, in or out of the water.
I have a mercury 25 hp. 2 stroke short shaft 2001 model with uncountable hours on it. It truly is an amazingly piece of equipment.
I have also ran 250 PRo XS on Toledo, Rayburn and the red river bass fishing 100s and 100s of hours with very little if any issues that wasn’t self inflicted…mostly to the lower.
Great motors.
Old 150 Johnson still hard to beat I've got a 86 model and love it drinks more gas than a hemi but runs every time
i love suzuki, strong and reliable, over the past 8 yrs havnt seen one with a major failure, had several come in with cowling damage due to freight but overall price to reliablility, ease of maintance and easy to work on suzuki gets the W
We've seen them come in damaged too. Probably 5 or 6 cowling of all horsepowers
@@TeamMarineService we mainly saw 150-200's not suzukis fault but cost cutting the shipping i feel was the problem. we have had suzuki bikes come in damaged alot from the same shipping company.
Used to have a Johnson 115 Fast Strike. It was an awesome outboard aside from the warped float bowls.
I have a 92 140HP Evinrude it has always been very good until this year. Had to do fuel pump and new valve on the primer solenoid. I am planning to repower! It is rated for 150 so maybe I’ll find a F150 I can afford but might go Suzuki new.
On last boat I had a 79 85 hp Evinrude and that thing was great it idled nice and was fast. It was very loud but never left me stranded.
Thanks for the vid. I had a 2003 225 Merc EFI big block on my racing boat with a sportsmaster box, I thrashed the crap out of it and it never quit, now with a 2000 200 Yamaha HPDI (not raced)and it has never disappointed me. Both 2 strokes..
I always wondered why the 85-140 horsepower OMC engines never make these lists and they are pretty tough and people put them on everything.
Yup..the v-4’s
seriously. you gotta be kidding. some of the best motors ever. The Yamaha's too. Same engines basically
I got the 25 mercury sea pro 2012 two stroke. And I hit rocks full speed with it went through rapids with it. Saved my uncle from 6 foot waves with it. And it barely got me home but I got it fixed and serviced lately and I still got it. also I just changed to a new propeller after many years. Same lower unit. The 25 mercury’s are bullet proof.
Thoughts on early Yamaha HPDI engines, specifically 300Hp. Seems to be conflicting opinions, as with most things, but from a tech/service perspective what have you seen?
Ya forgot the 1984 Johnson 90 mine still run and will push the boat at 50 mph. That's a 2 stroke V4 90 degree motor. still running !!
25-30hp Johnson on a lot of Jon Boats. Mine is pull start and I duck hunt every year and it starts in 2-3 pulls in the morning with temps in the teens, trolls as slow as you want to for Walleye’s.
If it has any knocks is noise.
I just bought a 2002 150 optimax for 3500. Motor has 200 hours abs looked like it rolled of the showroom floor. It literally cranks just like the four strokes. Burns 2.4 gallons an hour wide open. Uses little oil. Love it.
Make sure the compressor bolts aren’t lose. Don’t believe in looks … they are deceiving. I got 500 hrs out of my 1st 2002 175 Opti. 2.4 gal at WOT. ????
Bull ALL outboards wide open whether 2vor 4 stroke burn 10% of the horsepower give or take a wee bit
15gl an hour for a 150 wide open
At 4000rpm it drops substantially which in 2 strokes is the most efficient
had a 2002 mercury 2 stroke 20hp , same as the 25 , in the 17 years we had it since new, we only changed the impeller once and spark plugs twice, never cleaned the carb, never had a issue
Yamaha 25 hp four stroke got one in salt water and have never had a major problem with it and it’s like those 250’s it always cranks
Definitely the XR6 should have been on there. That thing was a rock-solid staple of Mercury Marine for close to 15 years
What do you guys think about the 1990 - 1995 Yamaha pro V , me and my uncles all run one my uncles all run one and it’s been nothing but good
I had a Yamaha 2005 vmax 150 carbed ran the hell out of it for 10yrs zero problems
Still running my 2000 Johnson 70hp. Fast reliable and is the same motor as my uncles 91 evinrude 70hp. Both are still great runners and mine routinely outruns the new 115hp four strokes. Pro XS, Yamaha, Suzys doesn’t matter. Although I haven’t run into any SHOs yet.
What boat is it on?
@@tintdr old 17’ Grumman (aluminum fishing boat).
Had a feeling the Johnson/Evinrude 15 was going to be in there 👍🏼…still got mines..retired lol
I don't think I've ever found one that wouldn't run.
I have an old Johnson 9.9 noted to be bullet proof. Pushing a 14 ft Lonestar. I had no real problems with it but it is loud at high speed. I also have a 1989 Evinrude 225 looper. It pushes a 1980 Hydrosports cuddy. VRO disconnected and ran good but hard on gas. I hope to use it again after not using it for several years. I plan of giving it a thorough going over before using.
1. Merc 2.5l EFI Offshore
2. Merc 2.5 EFI
3. Merc 2.5 Drag
4. Merc 2.5
5. Merc 2.5 S3000
6. Merc 2.5 Champ Race
7. JohnyRude V4's (gotta have a tow boat when running river racers).
Like the list, but up here in the NW I think fishermen would put the Yamaha t-8 on the list. It was bulletproof. I put a couple thousand hours on mine and never did anything except change the plugs and oil. In the low hp world this was the best.
Just got my first boat with a faststrike 175 on it needs some work but runs ok
I think the 96 - 2000ish, 200/225 mercury efi outboards should have had a honorable mention.
I definitely agree . Awesome running engines .
Absolutely agree.
I had a 1999 or 1998 susuki 70 on a 16ft aluminum that was so reliable and indestructible. Plus barely used any gas and I would always run at full throttle. I would run 3 or 4 days on vacation and not add any gas. I don't remember the size of the gas tank but it was a 16 ft alumacraft dominator cs.
That's awesome Adam! Those were tough outboards
great motors just heavy as hell and had corrosion issues.
Had an 84 Suzuki 75hp on a 16 bass boat wore out the boat but the motor still ran fine in 96 when I traded in new boat motor
I had a Mercury 15hp, which was a detuned 25hp, and I am ashamed by the abuse I gave it. It always started first pull and always got us home. Relatively fuel efficient smooth. I had to sell it due to moving to college but now I am in the market for a new one.
I don’t think so the 25HP is way bigger. The 9.9 was a detuned 15hp
@@PeteaahOhasian You're right, I was thinking of the 20hp motor. It was a fairly common swap where I used to live in south Texas due to fast river currents and shallow waters. It didn't give much on the top end, typically only gave 1-2 mph extra on the top end. The advantage was better hole-shot performance and torque without adding weight. It was on a 15ft 1536 Alumacraft flat bottom Jon-boat.
The best outboard of all time is the OMC big twin. Starting from 1951 until whenever they stopped making 'em with points. Still have my 1959 35 hp. Works great.
I'm surprised Tahatsu outboards weren't on this list. Very popular on long island sound . Very reliable
Actually worldwide they are very popular for their reliability
They had a five year warranty that covered everything if I recall correctly. But I will stick with my 21ft 10in. Kevlar Bullet / 250 pro X Merc for now
I just retired a 1976 200 Evinrude because a mechanic put a lower unit on that the shaft was not long enough and the only thing I had to do was the water pump and One power pack.
When is Suzuki going Release their new 250SS? When I contacted them a few months ago they said they were still testing.
I have a 2007 mercury optimax 225 on my champion and it has started first crank every time and I have never done any work on it neither did my dad who gave it to me
Still have my Faststrike V6 150 1994 its on my 1994 javelin now, love it.
Luvin my 2018 Mercury 9.9hp on my 12' V-hull. Great little fishing boat for weekends. Great channel and content. New sub. 🎣🚤😊
I'm glad you love Suzuki outboards good for you. I have a 2018 suzuki 25 hp. That thing has cost me an extra 800 dollars as to why you open it up for about a mile then falls on it's face and leaves you looking for a tow. Ten minutes later it will start and go about half that far and repeat. New high pressure fuel pump all new lines all new everything and until we drilled a bigger vent hole in my fuel tank caps and I'm guarded optimistic as it was September by the time we figured it out. On the other hand I have a Honda bf-90. It starts every time. I say go and it says where. That follows a 2007 bf-90 that was the same way
What’s the best salt water out board 15 hose ? Thanks. Great video s
#1 Suzuki, #2 Yamaha, #3 Honda, #4 Tohatsu, #5 Mercury
What year are you talking with the Merc 25hp? I thought they were a big draw in the early 80's, like 1983.
And the Evinrude/Johnson 15 HP; how about the 9.9? Don't they share the same block, etc, except for the carbs?
Yamaha F150 had big problems with balance shaft synthetic gears failing and trashing motors, took 2 or 3 redesigns to finally solve the problem. Made sure it has been updated
My dads stratos still running strong with his 175 fast strike!
Also a Yamaha 2.5 hp never fails me I had one since I was 12 I’m 19 now and I’ve only had to change out the prop shaft cause I stripped it out
I had a 115 intruder for years on a 16ft ranger - thing was a beast. Never missed a beat. Also much better on gas than my older 90-degree Evinrude.
Hey what about the tahatsu TDi I have one for years and beat the s*** out of it always started I personally think it's a really underrepresented motor And really underrated where you're thoughts
They are gems….keep quiet so you know you have the best!
What about the old Chrysler and Force 115 to 125 four cylinder two strokes from the 1980s? I had Force 125 that must have had 2,000 hours on it. Only thing I ever had to replace was a $15 rectifier.
Have any of you ran these outboards? Comment below and let us know!
Dive in to the late 90's and early 2005 and then give us your take on what can be done on the lil 25's that alot of us lot loved running in the woods... Thanks guy...
Merc 300x mentioned with Bridgeport and Merc 25 both great motors
Had a 150 fast strike on a 18 ft hydro sport. Fastest 150.on the water, in the repair shop every year I owned it. Have a new V8 pro xs, (2019) so far fantastic, amazing hole shot amazing top end, sips gas, Cruze at 50 at 4700 rpms
Still running a '98 Johnson FastStrike 150 on a '99 Javelin . . .
Ran the 25 merc for a long time. It didn't owe me anything. Finally put it in retirement for a 30 hp 4 stroke merc.
Still have my 02 Yamaha 50 high thrust 4 stroke. Runs perfect.
How reliable is the 250 optimal 2 stroke? I'm a 4 stroke guy but I'm looking at a boat with a 2 stroke on it
Overall they were pretty reliable but they did have some common failures depending on year and hours
you always see old Mercury's at the boat ramps still going. even the old belt buckle mercury still going . why I run mercury. I have a Yamaha 115 4 stroke. I'm always working on that thing . my 115 mercury runs circles around it . Great video.
I love my evinrude intruder 150 it always does me good only had 1 issue with my carburetor leaking gas but other than that it still to this day runs perfect and tip top!
Good job mate. Very useful list! Which motor would you choose if you had to race at a 30hp power limit boat racing? Thank you. Greetings from Greece.
I would say, that a Yamaha 15 F series 2 stroke is by far the most reliable outboard of all time. It no flaws at all. It starts, it runs, it idles for hours and it is a motor, you can still put on your transom without breaking your back.
I have a question. So, my grandpa died back in 17, he had a 94 Lowe bass boat with a evinrude 50hp two stroke. I’m just getting into fishing since he passed and I think I’m going to get his boat back in the water.. he had it since new, just curious on how you view that motor or if you have had any dealings with them. I appreciate it
I recently bought a 2003 225 yamamerc 4-stroke EFI I absolutely love it and haven't had a problem yet really want your take on this engine it is saltwater series
OMC intruder motor would be alot higher on my list! Love those things!
Still running a 93 fast strike. Get 2 miles to the gallons. But it is an absolute beast.
Best ever was the Johnson 150 GT in early 1980's. I drove the crap out of mine for 15 yrs. The only thing I had to fix once was a power pack. The boat sank twice due to storms and it still ran. It didn't owe me a thing. I had 3 150 Mercs before that all blew up within weeks of purchase. The best decision was buying that 150 GT.
Had a 1987 Hydrostream Valero Canadian edition with a 150GT. Very reliable engine.
Got a 86 15hp Johnson outboard sat for 5 years put gas in it 3 pulls later it started right up still runs to this day
Hey Andy, I’m not sure about the whole ranking order but your you’re pretty much on point with 225-250 2stroker Opti Pro, 50 three cylinder and the OMC 15hp owned them all and all of them were excellent engines fir their “time”. I think there could have been an honourable mention for the OMC 6hp another bullet proof engine and little brother of the 15hp also in my opinion the OMC 3cylinder 70hp not fast nor nothing technically advanced just found it to be totally reliable. Again the 6 and the 70 were both motors I owned from new “back in the day”. I haven’t owned one but I’ve read numerous reports on the Yamaha 150 4 banger, absolutely bullet proof, I have heard from a number of sources that claim with regular servicing it’s a 3000hr plus engine!
Had a Honda BF200, great motors. Wonder why the Coast Guard had a waiver from federal contracting law to buy a foreign product, the BF225. Because all of the American made competition couldn’t perform up to bid specifications.
Picked up 1983 150hp Johnson two stroke V6. Got it running and enjoying the heck out of it. I've heard these were pretty reliable motors?
I loved the HPDI motors
I’m surprised the Mercury 150 xr2 isn’t on this list, very highly regarded from my experience and from what I’ve heard
Yes, a very good motor, running one on my boat now, runs great.
For use on a pontoon to tube, fish and cruise. Who makes the best 115 hp engine ? Yamaha or suzuki. Thanks
Suzuki 2hp. Had one on a john boat for 10 years and couldn't kill it. Replaced the pull cord once.
Old 4 cylinder merc 50s were great
Love the show and content 🙏🏻
My #1 was a 150 Promax EFI from mercury racing. I ordered it in 1996. I ran it with a jet pump on a flatbottom Express till 2007. I wrecked the boat and it got hot so I traded it in my dealer had just got a 225X in in trade. Ran it till 2016 and built a new jet sled with a 250 Pro XS. I used to guide and fish the rivers alot so to say that 150 Pro Max had 1000 hours on it at the least, with only doing normal spark plugs and fuel filter replacement was about it . I cant remember any electronic part failing on that motor. But I must say I have decent luck with most of my personal motors because the see alot of use. The rest of my family members are not so lucky I think because they dont use them enough and are not as particular about oil and fuel additives as myself. You probably understand that my outboards with jet pumps see quite a bit of abuse. You run a jet pump outboard in the upper 3rd of it RPM range all the time.
I had a 2001 trx Triton first year in production. Anyway had mariner 225 on it 75 mph.
The 1972 Johnson 25hp long shift is a stud. It is not a sea horse but a sea stallion. Wind, sleet and snow are no match. You could bury it in sand and dig it up 100 years later and it would run. You could set it on fire and dance around it all night and it would start in the morning. You could drop it from 50,000 feet and you would not kill it.
Kevin from Pennsylvania what was the Merc pro xb seen a video with it on a gambler running in the high 80-s
Well I just bought a Merc 250, agree there’s no bad choice in that range these days. It’s a big chunk of cash but I’d like to get 15years out of her. Boat is currently having pod installed can’t wait to get it all put together.
Not mentioned but great motors.
Yamaha 90TLR 2 Stroke
Mariner 40 Magnum
Yamaha 2 stroke 3 Cylinder 25
Tahotsu Mega 25
Suzuki 140 4S
Honda 225 4S
Evinson 70 2S
I mean my 98 EFI fires right just like u talking about. But definitely like your channel!!!
What you think about the 4 hp two stroke Mariner.
Are they good engine?
one ?to you what about mercury 25 HP / 2 strock 1981 good motor as well? i appressiated Your answer
I have a 2020 225 pro XS so far so good use it every week at least once! Easy to maintain only complaint is the blue smoke on startup if you don’t trim it level when shut it down after a long run! I’ve heard even the sho does that also!
No TXR250😮? Exhaust corrosion on some of the earlier models is noted but it is a motor that consistently provides 3000-5000 hours of service with minimal maintenance.
No mention of johnson/Evinrude cross flow v 4 ? Not the ones with the pot belly exhaust cover the straight back exhaust cover. Hardest thing to do was therms down low in the pan otherwise pretty good design
Does the 200 Evinrude vindicator have much in common with the 150 intruder?
no completely different block.
Whats your opinion of the Mercury 200 EFI 3 litre ?
love my 2018 evinrude 15hp short shaft
How are the 1990s Suzuki PU55 2stroke outboards? Looking at boat with a 55/35 Suzuki PU55 jet.
Be cool if you guys did a outboard tour, along with more boat manufacture tours.
We plan on it!
I'd love to repower my boat, but cant bring myself to part with me engine. I'm running a 1995 17ft blazer bass boat with a 1979 Johnson 115 2 stroke that runs like new. I've owned several of these motors and never had an issue.
Team Marine, I have a 74 Mercury 20hp 2 stroke. Besides belonging in the Smithsonian, was it a descent motor. It seems to be running fine at the moment.
My last 3 outboards. 60 Yamaha 3 Cylinder (awesome), 90 Evinrude V-4 (solid), Yamaha 200 V6 Carb (thirsty but great)
First time comment, new subscriber, absolutely love the videos, hilarious and true! I’ve got a 99 225 EFI merc on a 99 triton tr20 dc been a great engine, those fall along the lines of this opti’s you talking about?
What about the late 90’s yammie 115??
What’s your opinion on Honda? From the very first ones till now.
They make a pretty reliable outboard. We've always viewed them as followers in the industry
How is the Yamaha 115s?
I'm still running a 68 johnson 6 horse on my little rig.