115 Yamaho or 115 Suzuki

[DLM]

115 Yamaha or 115 Suzuki

I have a decision to make, 115 Yamaha or Suzuki. This will be going on a 20 foot aluminum with an offshore bracket, prop not jet. There is a little bit of comparison discussion on-line but nothing very current. Any advice would be helpful.

 

[dragonfly]

my vote would be Yamaha there quality and durability precedes them and the parts and service network is everywhere although I have never had anything over 9.9 ( I like an inboard jet ) http://www.seven-marine.com/motors/specifications/ you might conceder this for a little more power and it is made in the USA tooexcited

 

[SuperD]

My vote would be to step up to the Yamaha 150 or Suzuki 140. Too many of my friends with 115's kick themselves afterwards. Here in CA, the Suzuki gets high praise for performance but service is a real issue. You might want to check what the available service for a Suzuki is in your area. I've had a Yamaha and would buy one on my next boat with no questions asked.

 

[mrmike]

I would say look around really don't see many Suzuki only Yamaha's on all the boats around me

 

[dragonfly]

I am sure you pulled the specs on both but for those that interested here's a comparison between the two.


Yamaha F115 Specifications

Engine Type In-Line Four Cylinder
Displacement 106.2 ci (1741 cc)
Bore x Stroke 79x88.8mm (3.11 x 3.49in)
Prop Shaft Horsepower 115 hp @ 5500 rpm
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Fuel/Induction System EFI (DOHC)
Exhaust Through Propeller
Intake Single Throttle Valve
Ignition System TCI Micro Computer
Spark Plug LFR6A-11-00-000
Alternator Output 24 AMP
Starting System Electric
Lubrication Wet Sump
Engine Oil Capacity 3.7L/3.5L w/without filter
Full Throttle RPM Range 5000 - 6000
Cooling Water/Thermostatic Control
Recommended Engine Oil Yamalube® 4M (See owner's manual)
Recommended Fuel Regular Unleaded (Minimum Pump Octane 87)
Recommended Fuel Filtration Yamaha 10 Micron Fuel/Water Separating Filter (external)
Ethanol Blend Limit 10% Maximum
Gear Ratio (28:13) 2.15:1
Gear Shift Forward, Neutral, Reverse
Shaft Length L = 20" X = 25"
Degree of Tilt 70°
Degree of Trim -4 through 16°
C.A.R.B. Rating 3-Star
Dry Weight F115LA = 182 kg (401lbs) F115XA 185 kg (408 lbs)
Mounting Centers N/A
Steering Angle (maximum) 30° from center, either direction
Warranty 3-year Pleasure, 3-Year Government, 1-year Commercial
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


DF115 Specifications


Model Name:
DF115

Configuration:
T, TZ

Horsepower:
115

Shaft Length (Inches):
L (20), X (25)

Weight (Lbs):
L (416), X (427)

Cylinders:
In-line 4

Valves Per Cylinder:
DOHC 4 Valves Per Cyl.

Valve Train Drive:
Self adjusting oil bathed timing chain

Displacement:
118.9 cu. in. (1950 cc)

Bore and Stroke (Inches/mm):
3.30 x 3.46 in. (84 x 88 mm)

Operating Range (RPM):
5000-6000

Induction System:
Sequential EFI

Starting System:
Electric w/ Suzuki EFI

Lubrication:
Wet sump

Oil Tank Capacity:
5.8 qt. (5.5 lit.)

Ignition:
Solid State Electronic

Alternator:
12V 40A

Trim Type:
Power Trim and Tilt

Gear Ratio:
2.59:1

CARB Emissions Rating:
3-Star Ultra-Low

Standard Propeller (Blades x Dia. x Pitches (Ins.)):
Optional - See Dealer

Counter Rotation:
Available

Range of Avail. Optional Propeller Pitches:
15-28

Steering:
Remote (Tiller Kit optional)

Features
Clean and Efficient
Idle Air Control
One-Piece Forged Crankshaft
Cool Air Intake System
Tuned and Water-Cooled Intake System
Two-Stage Mixed Cam System
CARB Rating: 3-Star Ultra-Low Emission
Offset Drive Shaft
Sequential Multi-Point Fuel Injection
EZ Oil Drain Plug
Water-Cooled Fuel Rail
On-Board Computer Diagnostics
4-Into-2-Into-1 Exhaust System
3 + 3 Protection available option
Oil-Bathed Timing Chain
Unique Low Gear Ratio
Air Cooled H.O. Alternator Water-Cooled Reg./Rec
Tilt Limit Switch
16 Valve DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) Design
the main differences I see is the zuke has a oil bath timing chain vs Yamaha belt, has a lower gear ratio and holds more eng oil. they both have 3 yr warrantees, 3 star carb rating, and operate at 5000-6000 rpm. dfly

 

[DLM]

Thank all of you for your input. I have put a great deal of thought and research effort into this and have came to the decision to go with the Suzuki 140 for the main engine and the Yamaha 9.9 for the kicker. I know.......they are two different colors...

I'm not worried about service/parts. There are three Suzuki dealers in Portland and one in Eugene so I think I am covered there.

 

[SuperD]

Dave, just happy you made the decision to suck it up and part with the extra cash for the bigger motor. Had the dealer let your go for a ride with each motor, it wouldn't have been a hard decision to make at all.

 

[DLM]

It was an extra $1600.00 to step up and that was not too bad when considering the entire package.

One post I read elsewhere made a great deal of sense to me, "I have never heard anyone complain that they went with too much horsepower".

 

[Mharri333]

At the boat show in Seattle they said the Suzuki had a three year warranty and a "special" adding an additional 3 years. I don't know if it was offered by the dealer or the manufacturer. Extra 3 years would be nice.

 

[SuperD]

At the boat show in Seattle they said the Suzuki had a three year warranty and a "special" adding an additional 3 years. I don't know if it was offered by the dealer or the manufacturer. Extra 3 years would be nice.

The extra 3 years comes at a price. And when I bought my boat I rationalized that one serious engine repair would pay for the extra warranty. Well, long story short, the third party warranty company went out of business within the first three years I owned my boat. Call me once biten, twice shy but I will NEVER buy extended warranty ever again. In my case, it was $1,500 down the toilet.

 

[Kokaholic]

Agitator has a suzy 140 on his North river and its a strong runner. no issues, great motor.

 

[fishslayer13]

I have a 150 four stroke yamaha on my 21 foot Thunderjet off shore. I have had no problems with it, but only been running it 3 years. I wish I would have stepped up to a larger motor, its a hair under powered. But my last 2 boats where in- board jets and would set you back in the seat. Great fuel mileage also. I started fishing the ocean and bigger open lakes with long runs so I switched to the outboard. Do miss my jet though.