Mercury vs Yamaha 15hps

[Avonfarmer]

Good evening,

Just wondering on peoples opinions of the 2004 era 15hp 2 strokes looking at either the Mariner/Mercury 15hp 2 stroke or the Yamaha 15hp 2 strokes. Various pros and cons and power comparisons.

Thanks

[Fenlander]

Have owned both and used both on the same SIB so a very accurate comparison.

Yamaha have taken an extra bit of trouble with the finish but I'd rate them equally for reliability and performance. Both easy to work on. Almost identical weights. Used values about the same.

The biggest factor by far is that the Mercury/Mariner have the gearchange as part of the throttle operation... twist one way to engage forward and then increase revs... twist the other way for reverse and revs.

You may love this system... hate it... or be indifferent.

[Max...]

Had both, much preferred the Merc. Not just for the point by Fen above but also the brilliant built in trim/tilt mechanism and general design and light weight. Plus my Yam has a severe overheating issue!

[Avonfarmer]

Interesting, did you ever get to the source of the reason why it overheated, I take it was pumping water etc ?

[beamishken]

I had a 9.9 merc with the twist gearshift on the throttle, hated it think its dangerous in certain circumstances so easy to hit a gear when you dont want to also owned various yams & would always rate the yam ahead of a merc but thats just person preference

[Max...]

Originally Posted by Avonfarmer

Interesting, did you ever get to the source of the reason why it overheated, I take it was pumping water etc ?

No and yes. But there is a lot of Yam love on here so don’t go by one isolated example, all OB’s have issues.

[Fenlander]

>>>don’t go by one isolated example

No indeed... there is no design issue to cause overheating so Max's obviously had a fault. I took mine apart to inspect the internal waterways as something of a once in its life check... after some 16yrs it had no significant salt deposits or internal corrosion.

Between the two makes/models I'd choose whichever you could find in great condition at a sensible distance to collect and a price that suited you.