Quote:
Originally Posted by WaveWalker
just from experience, i've found hondas to be a pain in the arse to get parts for. Not a big fan of merc's, but theyre EASY to get parts for. The newer optimax get decent economy and are fairly reliable.
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What I have heard as well and not so much the parts finding anybody to work on it, seen lots of posts around trying to somebody. The next issue is what does it weigh?? I have 400# with a 200 Merc and that is about all they can handle IMHO. I worked for the largest SC dealer on the west coast of Fla - 18 would go out 115's or 150 - 20's all had 150 inlines. The sales manager wouldn't rig a MA until the 175 came out and he helped design it - live bait is big around here hence the built in baitwell. The 200 is not needed and frankly my cruise speed at 3400/3600 at 29mph is a bit high, I can back it down to 3K/23-24 but the motor likes to be at 3400
I will say that I have to agree with WW, I would prefer an OMC but the Mercs seem to work better in general - a 175 would be perfect but a 150 is just fine and yes parts are easy, even used.
The Honda will work and people would trip over themselves to buy it, just not as well as a bit more HP - I'm sure the Honda goes over the 400lb limit and they will run forever just not the strongest horse in the barn. All 2.5 V6 Mercs are almost the same parts so year is not that important - EFI's will give 2 /2.5 mpg and are nice motors, Opti's will cost a good deal more.