I am looking for some information on replacing my 115 horse outboard jet. After last weekend I split a reed valve on my Evinrude, seem like every time I run it something needs fixing and I am working on it more than using it. OMC has filed chapter 11 and I,m not sure of the Mercury 115 because it is an inline, 4 cyl, 2 + 2 technology. I am considering Yamaha because it's a V4, which makes it a lower cowl, easy to fish over. Does anybody have any experience with Yamaha or other engines that might be better? Also, I understand there is a dealer in Canada that sells Yamahas cheaper than you can buy in the states. Has anyone bought one up there?

Thanks!
"original" ironhead

[This message has been edited by ironhead (edited 01-18-2001).]

I bought a couple motors in Canada last year, a Suzuki and a Yamaha. Both are excellent. Prices were very, very good. email me for particulars if interested. ctflyfish@AOL

I don't have any experience with the 115hp. but I have extensive time with both 200-250 Yamaha's and 200-225 merc's, the Yamaha's would easily be my first choice, I put 1100 hours on 2 different yamaha's without being rebuilt, never got over 650 on any merc. Just my .02 worth, good luck.

Yeah it's expensive, I didn't get 300 hours from the engine before it seized two pistons. Since that time I have put an additional 200 hours on it and I don't believe it will go much longer. I no longer have confidence in U.S. made motors. I heard many good things about Suzuki and Yamaha, I have friends that have Yamahas with thousands of hours on them and they still run great. As of this point in time Evinrude parts are not available from OMC only through after market. I am stuck so this seems like as good a time as any to change.

Ironhead

Yamaha-Honda-Suzuki
Yamaha-proven performance, reliability
Honda-may be as good or better than anything
Suzuki-may be the most under rated outboard

I have a 115 Yamaha on my sled and love it, although if I were to do it again, I would put the 150 on it,because of the power loss of the pump. I bought the engine new in 87' to replace the 140 hp(powerhead hp) Johnson on my 17.5 Glasply, the 115 Yamaha was more motor than my 140.(Same ratings at prop)
In 91' I had my Alumaweld built and took the engine off my Glasply, replaced the lower end with a pump and installed it on the new boat. After about a year of Jet-power, I decided to purchase a kit that would allow me to lengthen the engine drive-shaft and housing. I would return to propeller mode during the summer months when I fish mostly in the saltchuck.
I now have a 21.5 Campion walk-around that I use at Westport, Neah Bay and locally, so I don't have to do the changeover. This gives me the opportunity to use the boat in the summer for summer-runs.
The Yamaha has been a great running motor, but as far as corrosion resistance, I have to give the nod to the Mercurys. I use an 8 hp merc for my kicker and it holds up well to the salt.

Good fishing to you....BTW, I have a buddy that bought one of those Evinrude 115 Ficht motors last year and has had many problems. He called me today to tell me that OMC was going belly up, and that even the extended warranty that he purchased was now worthless.
Glad that I am not in his shoes now.


------------------
Steve Ng....The FishNg1
99 F-350 Powerstroke 4x4 , 18ft Alumaweld Formula Vee Sled, 115 Yamaha, and now also Campion 215 walkaround, 135 Merc.

[This message has been edited by Steve Ng (edited 01-18-2001).]

I bought a 85 horse suzuki jet system that had been rebuilt.I haven't had one problem with it.I also have a honda four stroke kicker on the the same sled,never had any problems with it either.But for some reason I really like the mercs.Go figure???
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I run mercs, I know that a lot of people like to kick them around but there is 1 primary reason why: If you break down and that is going to happen...there is almost always a merc certified tech close. My dad came down last year and kind of shadowed me because he had never fished the Astoria area for Sturg. Anyway...his Yamaha decided not to work...it wasn't until the next day in the afternoon that he was able to get back on the water. It was a coveted "I told you so" moment that sons don't get very often...lol. Lots of good motors...that is my reason for running a Merc.

Jim

I have a yahama 50hp four stroke. Had some carb problems when I first bought it (new) but great since.... incredible mileage too.

It's a shame about the finanacial troubles of OMC.I have now had 3 OMC motors.a 1978 85 hp 4 cyl.A 1979 175hp 6 cyl. and now a 1999 150 hp Johnson.The 1979 175 was on a Glastron Bass boat with a ton of hours on it.I bought it new and sold it to a friend of mine when i bought a new Stratos 283 last year.I did all my own service on the 175 and never had a problem.My friend who bought the boat and motor,still raves about it to this day.Now that said,I think that most motor problems come from poor mechanical service.The 175 evinrude went in to a so called "Professional" shop to have he carbs rebuilt in 1986.Not that they needed it but that I got suckered in to believing that it would give me 7 mph on top end.After 3 months in the shop and finally demanding the boat I paid $350.00 dollars for a motor that was hard to start,would'nt idle and now refused to slow troll.They took all my stainless clamps off and replaced them with plastic ties.Be smart,don't ever let Nixon's marina in Walla Walla work on your boat.I like my Stratos,but the warranty service totally sucks at Northwest Marine in Pasco,Wa.My point here is it's the singer not the song.Merc's Omc,Yamaha.Suzuki,Honda,they are all good motors.Find a good technician and stick with him.Use premium fuel and oils only.Learn how to service your motor and do it religioulsy.Flush it when you pull it out change the lower end fluids,lube the linkages and kepp it clean and polished.Any quality motor will give you years of good service.
Good luck and good fishing

YAMAHA all the way!! I use to commercial fish in Alaska and you wouldn't see andthing but YAMAHA'S. You can't beet the power and long life!!

Cutplugger, I work at a resort in Ak. that for a couple years all we ran were merc., this resort also has 4 full-time mechanics who change oil every 100 hrs. and full service every 200 hrs. (oil change, lower unit, plugs, compression test...) we scrapped them after 3 years because of all the problems we had with them. As for the Yam., I worked at another resort and ran them for 5 yrs., and yes,they broke down too, but not near as much as them damn mercs.

Having spent sufficent time running around the inside and outside waters of washington and Alaska for the better part of a half a century I will be so bold as to suggest that the public has voted!
Go to the most remote areas and you will see more Yamahas than all US brands combined. There are also lots of Suzuki's. The folks in out of the way places where you have to rely on yourself and nobody else tend to purchase the equipment that can get you back to the starting point. Unfortunatly that doesn't seem to include outboard motors of American manufacture.
OMC once rated at or near the top was in dire straits in the early seventies and managed to struggle back but they had less competition from Yamaha then I wish them well I have fond memories of years of fishing duck hunting clamming and even big game hunting and trapping that were propeled by outboards made right here at home.
Actually I' m not really sure where the so called imports are made There is one hellof a big Honda small motors plant in Kentucky and I have been told Yamaha is in Mexico. Does any one know for sure.