New Engine Purchase

Black · 06 July 2010, 09:42

Having to replace engine on my hard boat, maximum rating for the transom is 50hp. Going for new.

Currently looking at either Honda or Suzuki, with a slight preference to the Honda. Any thoughts/comments/experience on from owners or users of these engines?

Cheers
Al

spartacus · 06 July 2010, 13:24

If you're considering the Suzuki DF 50, then it's worth looking at Yamaha's F50. Both 2010 models weigh 109kg. The Yamaha is 4 cylinder and comes with Y-COP immobiliser (or low-rev limp mode). Yamaha is also offering a free rigging parts just now. You get choice of propeller, control box and digital guage.

Black · 06 July 2010, 13:48

I hadn't considered the Yamaha on price, as the Salcombe (my boat is down there) dealer just quotes catalogue prices at you.

Prices I have so far are

Yamaha F50 £7600 plus rigging at £500 from Yeoward & Dowie
Honda is at £5200 plus rigging at £330 from SMS
Suzuki £6600 including rigging from Yachts of Dartmouth

The Honda appealed as it seems to be the lightest of the trio at 96 kgs

Maybe Cookee or someone else local could advise any other Yamaha dealers other than Yeoward & Dowie?

Damien. · 06 July 2010, 14:36

Have you not considered the Mariner 50 HP EFI.

They offer a cracking package.

You get a fair bit of kit with them too;

RPM Gauge, Trim gauge, control box, fuel tank, prop etc.

Downhilldai · 06 July 2010, 15:43

Ribcraft have been known to be competitive on Soozook pricing.

alystra · 06 July 2010, 15:58

Most of the fish farmers in this part of the world use Hondas, 40 or 50 hp. So does the Easdale ferry and if an outboard can cope with that it can cope with anything. I think the commercial people here find Honda the most cost effective engines.

Mike G. · 06 July 2010, 17:45

If you are thinking of a Yamaha 50 h.p. - consider a Selva Dorado 50 h.p. EFI model - this is a Yamaha 50 but with a white colour hood and Selva decals ... RRP price is £6,129 - I believe Darthaven Marina have just taken on the Selva Dealership.

Chris · 06 July 2010, 21:04

"Yamaha F50 £7600 plus rigging at £500 from Yeoward & Dowie"

Robbing bastards !

Chris · 06 July 2010, 21:14

Have you looked into a E-tec 50hp. I bet you would get one for less than than those Salcombe nobbers are trying to charge you. Speak to Steve at Race Marine http://www.racemarine.co.uk/

The problem with buying in Salcombe is they are used to people throwing money at them so they just quote retail as they normally get it !!.

Downhilldai · 06 July 2010, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

"Yamaha F50 £7600 plus rigging at £500 from Yeoward & Dowie"

Robbing bastards !

Yam F50 is £5595 at Barnet Marine:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-F-50-FE...item29facd2f7f

Or Soozook DF50 for £5695
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-DF-50-T...item230008252f

Or Merc F50 For £5795:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCURY-MARINE...item5d267c08c2

All with 5-year warranty.

A.C. · 06 July 2010, 21:39

Ribcraft - New Soozook DF50 £4825
http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/index.php?...-view&bid=1909

Damien. · 06 July 2010, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Or Merc F50 For £5795:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCURY-MARINE...item5d267c08c2

All with 5-year warranty.

In Merc/Mariner I trust.

I may be biased because I am a Merc/Mariner dealer.

Poly · 07 July 2010, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien.

In Merc/Mariner I trust.

I may be biased because I am a Merc/Mariner dealer.

Really - I'd never have guessed!

I think there is very little to separate the quality of the Merc/Mariner, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, ETEC, Tohatsu (have I missed any?) brands in terms of quality of support/engines and its rare to hear horror stories which don't seem to be isolated incidents. They are all offering long warranties now. They all have a reasonable dealer network. Do you have anything constructive to add as why the Merc/Mariner is a better engine? If you happen to be a Yam or Suz dealer in the future would Merc/Mar still be better!

Depending on which companies have recognised service centres nearby might sway your decision for you. Hopefully you won't see much of them, but if you do they'll be pretty important. If you don't already know them then you might want to talk to them first and see if you like them. I know a dealer who prioritises repair work for customers who bought there engine with him rather than the cheapest place on the internet. I also know someone who drives 30 miles to get his engine serviced, passing a dealer only 5 miles away because he doesn't like/trust them.

Personally if any dealer used the arguments I quoted above - they'd be off my list! I'd expect a constructive response along the lines of "These are all good engines from large reputable companies, and you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. Although you might find that XXX is ligther/has more acceleration/uses less fuel (preferable with an explanation, e.g. because it has a different gearbox, more sophisticated engine management etc). OR "ours might burn a little bit more fuel at full throttle, or be a bit noisier - but its actually a much simpler engine which means that its simpler and cheaper to service, and less to go wrong". Even if its still exagerated sales BS (do you think that if we repainted the the engines so it was a blind trial that the average boat owner could tell the difference in performance between most of them) - at least its trying to differentiate.

GordyP · 07 July 2010, 10:05

New 50 HP E-tec for £4,180, seems quite cheap http://www.ribstuff.com/ , have had experience of Yam's and Honda's in the past and they have been good engines. Only engine i ever had issues with was a Mercury albeit this was 20 years ago.

Cookee · 07 July 2010, 13:51

Pete at Blue Water tends to be a bit more competitive - he'll do you a Merc or Mariner

Turbodiesel · 08 July 2010, 08:51

Dont forget us a Black Dog Marine, and we are only an hour up the road from you. As your a Ribnet Member you get a nice discount! Will send you a pm with a price!!!

Black · 09 July 2010, 11:12

Thanks for the feedback

Order placed for the Honda with SMS this morning - It seemed to be the lightest, quietest and most fuel efficient of the options I had in front of me.

Pleased with the end price for package or work, they don't seem to be taking the piss like other people in the area. It should be fitted ready for me to test with them on the 21 July.

The voucher for a Level 2 Powerboat course, which comes from Honda UK when you buy an engine of BF50 or above was excellent.

Will post updates and pictures once I have the new engine on and it is rigged.