How long should a person reasonably expect a new outboard to last? Assuming regular use and maintenance. I have noticed that several motors seem to only get about 300 hours before blowing a power head or similar costly issue. Is one manufacturer better than another when it comes to durability?

Tough question. No two motors are built the same. IMO, if you take good care of it, it'll last you 600+

Both Merc and Yamaha are great engines. I fished with a guide yesterday that has a Yam 300 Four stroke on his boat with 2,200 hours on it. All he has done is water pump impellers every year and lower unit grease change.

My yammi got over 520 Hope to get another 500 out of her

My Merc is a 98 model it gets run hard 4-5 days a week. For years, since I've owned it. Nothing but impellers, a set of plugs, and a starter. No telling how many hours are actually on it. I have figured about 900 hours I have put on it. Boats been on 50 or so lakes and 15 states since I've owned it.

I think they should last 1000 hours minimum for what they cost..... I'm not buying into the new tech.....far as I'm concerned Mercury stopped building anything I care to own after the 225 EFI's..... I plan to get a bigger, more recent boat, but I'd rather find a good old Merc to hang on it.

Ive seen a few guide engines between 500-1000 hours. (Yamaha sho) If you take care of one and do not rag it out, they last. Your majority of hours needs to be in the 3K-5k. Guides can cruise 4500rpm while your tournament guys will put a lot of time at the 5800-6000rpm range or under 1k idling.

I've had a motor last 2,000 hrs. I've had one blow in less than 10. The most reliable outboard I ever had was an old OMC Johnson. I currently run an 08 Mercury 225 Optimax and have had good luck with it and it currently has about 300 hrs. On it. I think proper maintenance and using dealer recommended oil and fuel additives is the key to longevity on today's high tech engines. It ain't cheap but I have never bought a Bass Boat expecting a return on my investment. If I was buying a new outboard today it would be another Mercury, but I'm still partial to a two stroke as opposed to a four.

my 88 nissan still starts and runs like a top.

I got rid of a 1992 Ranger w/a 1992 Johnson Faststrike 150 and I couldn't tell a difference in how it ran from new. Impeller every couple of years, inline aftermarket fuel filter every year or so and couple sets of plugs...period. Always added Stabil after straight gas became difficult to find and it ran perfect! Hours? No guess! Hope I'm as blessed with this 2013 250 ProXS!

1989 Mercury 200 Blackmax 970 Hours still runs good as new

1980 Merc Black Max 150, replaced 1 power pack 15 years ago, plugs every year, water pump every 2 years, thermostats, poppet valves once and just rebuilt the carbs for the second time.......never left me stranded.....added a water seperator/fuel filter 10 years ago.

Thinking of buying an 06 ranger with a 150 optimax,beautiful boat... It has 375 hrs. Is that a lot of hrs??

Got 1800 out of a 2003 Yamaha V-Max 225, bought it new and still had the original powerhead and lower unit when I traded it in Feb 2016.

Service, service, service! Took really good care of it! Run the ring-free!

Take care of them and they should last without much more than routine maintenance. Have had great performance from all 3 brands.