I recently had a post asking if I should go with the 40hp or 50hp
Honda. Thanks to those who responded, I'm going with the bigger motor.

I have since done more research and have come across this thing called
EFI. My gut tells me to stick with the Honda, but the "EFI hype" seems
real. My dealer carries Mercury and Johnson EFI 4-strokes. Should I
consider those or should I just stick with Honda reliability? I've
been thinking a lot about the Mercury 60hp EFI. It's the same size as
the Merc 50 so I might as well jump up to the 60. Of course I'll have
to consider cost before making a final decision.

I have the 60 merc EFI and so far so good. I am coming up on 800 hours since
summer 2002.

On 24 Aug 2004 09:07:13 -0700, (Marko) wrote:

I recently had a post asking if I should go with the 40hp or 50hp
Honda. Thanks to those who responded, I'm going with the bigger motor.

I have since done more research and have come across this thing called
EFI. My gut tells me to stick with the Honda, but the "EFI hype" seems
real. My dealer carries Mercury and Johnson EFI 4-strokes. Should I
consider those or should I just stick with Honda reliability? I've
been thinking a lot about the Mercury 60hp EFI. It's the same size as
the Merc 50 so I might as well jump up to the 60. Of course I'll have
to consider cost before making a final decision.

That's a good question.

EFI is a little more efficient than carb motors if that helps any.
Throttle reponse is better and they are a little more quiet than
carbed motors.

Having said that, the first instinct is usually the best one - if you
feel that you will be happier with the Honda, then that's the motor
for you. It's not a motor that I would buy (I'm not daming with faint
praise here - I have a Honda lawn mower and generator motor I love it)
only because there aren't a lot of competant Honda mechanics around
here and I've heard tales, none that I can substantiate (I want to
make that clear), that getting technical support for a Honda outboard
can be frustrating at the least.

When I had my little "incident" this summer up in the St. Lawrence
Seaway, the USCG bots had Hondas (225's) and I have to say they had
some real accelleration and were vewy, vewy quiet on the way back to
the marina.

Ah hell - go with the Honda.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

My mechanic says the merc is basically a Yamaha licensed engine if you think
the Japs make the best motors. They sell and service both so I tend to agree
with him. Lots of the parts are the same.

One thing, the Big Foot is a stronger lower and you are swinging a bigger prop
so you can manuver better at low speed but it has more gear noise at speed.
I recognize the sound from my old 75 2 stroke but the 4 stroke engine is
quieter so the foot noise is more pronounced. It may actually be the dominant
sound at 4000RPM.

Thanks Greg and Short Wave for the very helpful responses. It's
obvious that the Honda and Merc both have great 4-strokes. I'll call
my dealer tomorrow and see what the best late summer value is. I'll
let you know what I end up with.

Marko,

You can shop for price on a Mercury 60hp EFI 4 stroke or a (new for
2005)Yamaha 60hp EFI 4 stroke. They are basically the same powerheads
(Yamaha).

Or you can buy either one that the dealer that is close to you has (for
service reasons) or a dealer you prefer.

Actually all the 4 strokes are Japanese technology so they are all good.
Some have EFI (all will soon over 40hp) and some are lighter in certain
sizes.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Marko" wrote in message
m...

I recently had a post asking if I should go with the 40hp or 50hp
Honda. Thanks to those who responded, I'm going with the bigger motor.

I have since done more research and have come across this thing called
EFI. My gut tells me to stick with the Honda, but the "EFI hype" seems
real. My dealer carries Mercury and Johnson EFI 4-strokes. Should I
consider those or should I just stick with Honda reliability? I've
been thinking a lot about the Mercury 60hp EFI. It's the same size as
the Merc 50 so I might as well jump up to the 60. Of course I'll have
to consider cost before making a final decision.

I had good luck buying from an internet dealer. The guy (ITB Marine) is just a
front for a real Merc dealer (Big Ed from Richmond Va) who is exploiting the
special price they can offer on a "bundled" (boat & motor)deal without you
having to buy a boat.
I never had a problem with local dealers. If you go in for your hourly checkups
and let him in your wallet you will be buddies for life.