Repower recommendations

My Etec crapped out on my in the middle of Conroe today. I got to test my cheap Amazon lithium batteries and trolled from the 1097 bridge to the east side of the dam. I had a compression performed, and the test showed the #4 cylinder had zero. The mechanic said my best bet was to repower since Evinrude is done. Who would you go to for a 150 HP? I'm in Conroe.

I’d get a Suzuki/yamaha/mercury- whichever 3 has the best combo of price/warranty/as long as a dealer is within an hour or so drive.

Honestly all 3 of these are good options, go with whatever you can get the best deal on, switching brands your gonna have to switch all your controls/guages so take that price into consideration with each brand. Merc will be the least reliable of the 3 but have better performance. More places that work on Yamaha but honestly the Suzuki's just don't break but they are heavier and slower, Suzuki really seems to be pushing to increase their market share so there may be some deals on those.

for me it would be

yamaha sho

mercury pro xs

suzuki

in that order, only thing about the zukis is they are hard to prop for a bass hull from what I have read.

Merc...they ain't going anywhere, parts and repair available all over...

This

Mercury or Suzuki. Both have been around longer than any other company.
I think the Suzuki is the best workhorse engine but the mercury is faster.

Tough question, but I would have Yamaha and Suk on my list. The price, availability, and warranty would be my deciding factor.

Please let us know what you decide and why?

Yamaha.
My previous one lasted over 30 years with no problems. Replaced it in 2019 and trouble free on this one too.
Quiet, efficient, bulletproof, reliable. What else could you ask for?

Yamaha and Merc are the only two I've had experience with that still exist. I've owned probably 4 or 5 OMC/Johnson/Evinrude motors and blew every one of them up; some more than once. The Mercs have been really good to me and I'm currently on my first Yamaha and have owned it for two years and change. So far it's been the absolute best I've ever owned.
I have a guide/charter service down on the coast of Alabama I use and he runs twin 300 Suzuki's and puts hundreds if not thousands of very hard hours on them and he loves them.
There is one more option and something I may do if I ever have to repower and that is go to one of the insurance total out auction websites like CoPart and look for a motor on a boat that has been in an accident. You can see them on there fairly new where the hull and trailer was damaged but the motor was left relatively unscathed and they usually go way cheaper than a new motor. The only catch is you have to take it all.

Just went through the same thing and went with merc, 100% due to availability. Prepare yourself, it’s going to cost a small fortune to get a clean install.

I will add that your motor should be worth something on trade. Parts for rudes are hard to come by and that motor can be parted out by a mechanic.

I had the same thing happen to me last year. I ended up going to a 140 Tohatsu which is basically a honda. I havent regretted it at all. Super quiet and plenty of power. Best thing is it just sips gas compared to the 115 that was on before.

Wow they are proud of these outboards.. $20k to swap from an evinrude to mercury!!!! Almost as much as I spent on the whole boat. Is this pretty typical? Only 3 year warranty. Are the other manufacturers going to be about the same cost? Any chance on getting insurance to cover it?

1150.00 for a prop is about 700.00 more than you can purchase one for on this forum. It won’t be brand new but it will be just as good.

Seems pretty close, pre Covid that was 16-17k. Not sure why insurance would cover it- some insurance will cover you knocking the lower unit off though.

True, call Team Marine service, they said they were looking for Rude parts on their youtube channel.


Repowering with a different brand than was on the boat costs a good deal more.

I swapped a Yamaha for a Yamaha last year….a little over $21,000 out the door.

Controls and gauges as everyone has said is obviously a consideration. Being in Houston, I am sure there are just as many Yamaha shops as Merc's since they dominate saltwater. I just repowered to the Pro XS 150 and love it. Sounds very cool. Best move I made.

oil and fuel pumps, electrical components, etc will definitely sell.

Wow, I got a steal. Was able to swap mine for 12k

Yamaha has 7 year warranty right now if you act fast.

Consider a new to you boat. My last Ranger had a Yamaha HPDI 1150 hrs on it. Making some ticking sounds so I trader it. I now have the new Mercury it's excellent.

7 year is for 450hp and up
5 year for 200hp

has to be purchased and rigged before March 31st

Please don't ask me why I know this....it makes me sad

Go Mercury... Dan

Go see Ty over at Tex All Aluminum Fabrication there off 105, he sells new and used and is a great rigger.

I repowered with a Suzuki 250 2 years ago and couldn't be happier!

7 years?! Wonder if it will be as good as that Evinrude 10 year warranty

They aren't hard. Just size up. They need a bigger wheel. Suzuki would be the only thing I would repower to after I've fished with one on my buddies boat for the last couple years. It might be a tad slower but God Is it strong and stupid reliable.