I think Yamaha makes the best outboards in the world right now, or at very least the most reliable. There's a reason why they utterly dominate (last I saw, over 70%) the commercial and government markets, because they simply make a better motor. Hondas are good too, used by the Coast Guard and for good reason, but they're usually a touch overpriced and I know a lot of people who don't like the centrifugal clutch.
When it comes to the rest, Tohatsu makes a good little motor (and they also make all of Mercury's sub 50s) but I've never actually seen one of their high HP units, Suzuki is the best value and generally pretty reliable if lacking bells and whistles, and I will never entirely trust Evinrude. The old Johnsrudes were cheap, simple and easy to repair, which was nice, but all their flirtations with advanced tech have been disastrous. Now they're incredibly complex and expensive.
When it comes to Mercury, well, I just don't get the point anymore. Back in the day when Kiekhaefer ran the show, Mercury were legitimately cutting edge engines that outperformed everything else by a mile. You paid for it with increased maintenance and often nightmarish complexity, but the benefit was there. These days, everyone else has caught up to Mercury. They're no longer tech leaders, but the lower reliability and over complexity remains. A Yamaha does everything a Merc does, and better, for the same money. Their smaller motors are just Tohatsus with a different sticker package (for more money) but I really dont understand why you'd buy one of their in house outboards anymore. I say this as the son of a Mercury mechanic, who was himself the son of a Mercury dealer. There's just not much reason to buy them anymore.
Originally Posted by FastLane
Originally Posted by southernjeeper
Which 20hp engine would anyone put on a 14footer?
Or would I just need to stay with the late 90s 15evinrude. It runs fine for me. It's just a small boat for smaller water though I have taken it in big water just for kicks last year when the wind and chop wasn't too bad. I just have always known the hull was not going to start leaking due it's excellent build quality.
Just have to get around to changing out the impeller soon.
Mercury 20hp 4 stroke is a nice outboard. Its a rebadged engine. My Dad owned one. Great outboard.
Unless you get a really good deal on the Mercury, get the Tohatsu instead. They're 100% identical but for the stickers, but the Tohatsu tends to be a little cheaper.
They're good motors, though. Suzuki also does pretty well for a lot less.