Conference vicki::boats

    
    I bought a 1985 90 hp Mercury outboard there with trim and tilt earlier 
    this summer. So far I haven't had a problems with the motor and I seem to
    have gotten a fair deal. I traded in a 1968 105 HP Chrysler and got the
    Mecury outboard for $3k.
    
    								Rob.
    

    
    Middlesex Marine and Power gave me a better deal on a boat
    than Russell's, but when I had problems with the outboard
    (Mercury) a coulple of years later, they were unable to
    service the engine.
    
    In fact, I had the boat in there 3 times for the exact
    same problem, and they were never able to to fix it.
    USA Marine diagnosed the problem over the telephone, and
    another Mercury service/repair shop fixed the engine 1st
    time in.
    
    I'll never use MM&P again for service, but I would buy from
    them as  their prices seem pretty competitive.
    

    Without arguing, my advice to you is not to buy the Merc.
    go buy a Yamaha. You'll have it a lot longer, although you may
    pay more now, it will be short money in the long run.
    Sorry, but you call 'em like you see them.
    
    Jim.

Pointers to other dealer notes:

        HPSTEK::BHOVEY       17-JUN-1988   45.1  Wilderness Marine and Sunbird info
        TOMCAT::SUTER        22-JUL-1988   45.11  Another Dealer
        MENTOR::REG          27-JUL-1988   72.12  Dealers n dealers
        FSDEV1::BSERVEY       3-AUG-1988   94.2  U.S. Marine @Shrews/Worc line
        GERBIL::DCHEN        30-AUG-1988   94.31  comments on Doug Russell
        NETMAN::BAER          7-SEP-1988   94.32  Yet more Marina reccomendations...
        ASPEN2::BOIKO         7-SEP-1988   94.33  Browns Marine - Newport NH
         NRADM::WILSON       12-OCT-1988  174.21  Let the buyer beware!
   328  CGVAX2::JOHNSON_S     3-APR-1989    12  Boat Dealerships
         DSTEG::WENTWORTH     9-MAY-1989  368.3  Owen's Service
   436   SALEM::BOHANEK      12-JUL-1989     6  Name of Dealer In Mendon MA.

    Have to agree with Jim. Buy a YAMAHA over the merc. OR Buy an Evinrude
or Johnson. How many OLD Mercurys do you see around? A friend brought
    this to my attention....and it seems to be true. I've seen some
    ancient lookin' Evinrudes this year....So old the cowl (engine cover)
    had wings on it. Some others looked close to spherical. Wonder how
    old these were..?
    
    Anyway, when I purchased my boat I had the choice of Johnson or
    Yamaha. Yamaha seemed more expensive at first however they include
    the gauges (tach etc.) and some other necessary misc. items in the
    motor package. After I finished adding up all the necessary gauges
    and such to go with the Johnson, I was approx. $600. less than the
    Yamaha. Yamaha has been building engines for a long time but they
    were never imported to the US of A. They have established themselves
    as a reputable name who stands behind their product.
    
    All most forgot....Yamaha has a 2 Year warranty. Take the time to
    compare.
    
    /MArk

    I had my crank reground and rods rebuilt at MP&M recently, and I
    must say they did a good job on that. The only complaint was the
    amount of time it took! Also, he gave me the wrong manifold gasket,
    but nobody's perfect.
    
    Jon

    Re: .5
    
    I don't know where you've been, but I see old Mercs everywhere! 
    However, I don't have any opinions on either motor.  Don't buy an '85
    Merc, whatever you do.   No one.

    Re .3 & .5>
    	Bull ca ca.
    
    	Now that I got that out. I have owned old mercs, old evenrudes
    etc.. I got no beef with any of them (except Chrysler). My first merc was 
    a 55 hp 1965 (plus or minus a year or two). It ran well and the fellow is 
    sold it to is still running it today, in salt water. 
    	I see a lot of old mercs around. Of course the untrained eye might not
    pick them out because the old ones aren't black. :^)
    	As far as Yamaha goes I'm sure that its a good brand too. I just
    don't agree with writing off all but one brand. 
    
    Paul 

    sounds like the 1965 merc. was the last one you owned. i had a 1972
    80 hp merc and i had no major complaint with it. however the 
    discussion is (at least in my mind was what to buy today)
    and my recommendation is go yahama. unfortunately the american
    product is not up to speed as yet. in fact the yahama dealer
    i purchased my motor from was formerely a Merc. dealer.
    He had so many problems with Merc. he dropped them.
    He put it to me this way, "the yahama's go out and don't
    come back for warranty service there have been a few exceptions
    but those are rare." Look around at the dealers signs,
    you'll find either Yahama or Suzuki. 
    
    so Bull ca ca.
    
    JIM.

    
    I've heard from mechanics that the old Mercs' are better
    than the new Merc's.... touchy electronics or somethin'.
    
    It'll be Yamaha or Evinrude for me next time around.
    
    jd/
    

    	Its me again. 
    	In addition to the 1965 Merc, I currently own a 1987 200hp Mariner 
    (Merc in disguise), an 1985 25 hp Merc and a 2hp Evenrude. Until very 
    recently (it was stolen) I also owned a 1987 8 hp Mariner (Yamaha in 
    disguise). I like them all. The only O/B that I ever owned and didn't
    like was a 1975 5 hp Chrysler.
    	We've had this discussion before. Some folks like to pick one brand
    and logically conclude that all others aren't worth a hoot. I
    personally don't buy it. 
    	If I were to buy another o/b today it might very well be a Yamaha
    but it would only be after I compared it with Merc and
    Johnson/Evenrude.
    	My assumptions regarding quality would be that they are all good.
    
    Just my unopinionated opinion. 
    Paul

    Paul,  What was the color of the OLD Merc's.?  ...
    
            I spend a great deal of time out in the water (Ocean..Cape
 	    Ann Mass. area) and my survey this past weekend still only
	    turned up a couple 'old looking' black Mercury outboards
	    amonst' 1/2 dozen ancient looking Evenrudes' with WINGS
            on the engine cowling.
    
            You're previous note says it all...you stick with what has
    	    performed best for you. BTW, try and sway a WW 2 vet to
    	    buy a piece of machinery with a Japanese label in BIG letters.
            ....Yet I bet as long as the truck body said CHEVY in big
    	    white letters....my father would be satisfied /*v*\ no matter
    	    whos engine it contained.
    
    /MArk
            

    re: color of 'OLD' Mercs
    
    I've seen older Mercs in Red, White and of course black.  I had a 
    1956 40hp merc 'till 2 years ago that ran perfectly.  The new owner
    is still using it (always fresh water).
    
    Brian
    

    
    Thanks for all the inputs folks. I spent the weekend along the coast
    talking to quite a few mercury owners. New and old. everyone liked
    their engines and had little or no problems with them.
    
    I bought the 1989 35hp Merc. The deal was $1500 with the trade in
    of my 1979 Johnson that ran well but needed lower unit repair. (
    Broken shaft ). 
    
    The new motor is electric start. The price included installation on 
    my boat but not the two control cables ( approx. $50 and battery).
    
    One year warrenty.
    
                                              Bill Lampros.

    Hi Bill.
    If you need cables I have two brand new Quicksilver cables 12 ft lg
    that will fit your 35 hp. I'll let you have them for $20.
    
                                        Sound good? 
    
    I also have a earmuff flush thing for $5
    
                                         Walt