with all the discussion on different boats is helpful witch motor holds up the best. motors built in the last 5 years. 2 or 4 stroke ??? looking to buy in next few weeks please help

I dont have any experience with anything but a mercury, but bought a new boat with a 115 optimax in 2005 and ran it until march 2014. The only problem I ever had was a coil went out under warranty. In march of 2014 bought a boat with a new 250 pro xs and not a problem. I hope this helps.

thx what about Yamaha??

I own a 2012 Yamaha 250 SHO and love it however it is bothersome to hear of so many of them burning up the power head.
I'll not say anything bad about the SHO unless I have problems with it as of now I really love it.

I like my Yamaha.Any time you do not have to mix,they are so user friendly.It can be so frustrating alone to catch fish.Oil injection is nice.

Bought a merc 125 new in 1999. Had it for 12 years. Probably fished 30-40 times a year and never had a single problem. Not one.

Had a 1959 Merc 9.9 that lasted until 2009 before it had problems I could not get part for.
2004 115hp Yam only problem with it last year was linkage on oil pump broke $15.00 fix This is on my Pontoon

2008 Merc 50hp no problems so for. this is on my Triton Panfish

all of these are 2 stroke motors

Love to have one of the new line of Evinrude HO 135! Rated at 148HP, man would be a big time change from my 90HP....love the specs, warranty, power and fuel economy!
God Bless

I've ran Mercury's, Johnson's and Yamaha. All 2 Stroke. Only minor problems with any of them. Never ran a four stroke.

I owned a 30hp Honda for 12 years and it was used almost every week some times 4-5 days a week. The only problem I ever had was plugs. In the 12 years I had to put in 2 sets of plugs. I don't think there is a nickels difference in any of them. The biggest factor in problems is the guy sitting behind the steering wheel. Motors designed to run at say 5000 rpm ain't gonna hold up long running at 5500-6000 rpms.

Were I buying a new motor today, it would be a 4 stroke. They've solved the power to weight problem, practically maintenance free, and way more dependable than a 2 stroke, and all I have ever had were 2 strokes.

I have only run Merc's and had no problems and their good on gas. I will tell you that some of the guys in our club that run Yamaha's have had their fair share of problems. Don't know what the deal is with their power heads. That's my 2 cents.

I have a 1999 Yamaha 150 OX66 Saltwater series II. I have it serviced every other year and have never had a problem, except the tilt wire came loose at the control once. My brother has a 90 HP four stroke and loves it.

I think that the main brands (i.e. Mercury, Yamaha, Johnson/Evinrude)are very reliable these days. Since Johnson and Evinrude were bought by Bombardier I hear the quality and technology have greatly increased.

Also, FYI: I have always used Pennzoil marine additive. I think using an additive on a two stroke motor really makes a difference.

I agree with KingwoodCat.