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Opinions needed. I am about to buy an outboard in the 150 HP class. I have looked at the Suzuki 140 and the new Yamaha 150. The Yamaha dealer told me the F150 is underrated and is actually more like 170HP where the Suzuki is overrated by about 10 HP. The Yamaha Is about $2000 more. Opinions, experience etc. welcomed. Thanks in advance. I'm looking for Performance, reliability, and fuel economy. (arent we all!)
Here is a review of Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki 4 strokes...
I have my Yamaha on order....
Ralph
Four-Stroke Shoot-Out
Yamaha’s new 150-hp four-stroke goes up against the Honda 130 and the Suzuki 140.
Relatively light, compact and, dare we say, peppy, the Yamaha F150 fills a large void in the outboard market.
150-hp four-stroke is finally here, and Yamaha has again beaten its competition to the water. Remember that Yamaha was the first engine manufacturer to introduce a V6 four-stroke with its 200- and 225-hp models in 2001. Its F150 four-stroke fills a large void in the market, and boat owners are eager for the details on this 4-cylinder, 475-pound engine.
Dealers are also excited. The salesmen, technicians and the owner of Marlin Marine, Ozzie DeLacruz, in Saint Petersburg, FL, were all eager to the see the results of a Powerboat Reports sea trial of a Triumph 210 CLE Chaos center console with a Yamaha F150 on the transom.
Marlin Marine is a Yamaha and Honda dealer, so we also had a chance to test an identical 210 Triumph with a 130-hp Honda, which is the only other four-stroke option for this boat, at least if you buy a Triumph through this dealer. PBR was also able to get its hands on some performance data from the third manufacturer that offers a four-stroke outboard in this horsepower range. Suzuki makes a 140-hp model. Luckily, Suzuki had at one point recorded fuel, speed and noise measurements of this engine on a Triumph 210.
What We Tested
When a new engine comes out, the marketing types hurl a plethora of data at you. Every feature is “unique,” or “state-of-the-art,” or requires a fat exclamation point after it. It’s our job to weed through this thicket of talk and identify the engine’s strengths and weaknesses.
To gain insight into the mid-size four-stroke arena, we ran both the new Yamaha F150 and the Honda 130, a four-stroke that’s been around for several years, on a pair of identical 210 Triumph center console demo boats. We also added data provided by Suzuki on its DF140, also run on a 210 Triumph.
The F150 is an inline four-cylinder with a 16-valve overhead camshaft. Weight is kept to a minimum with the use of composite materials. Some highlights are an offset crankshaft to increase air intake and boost torque at low- and mid-range throttle settings; a long oil dip-stick tube that extends to the base of the powerhead and helps suction tools completely remove engine oil; a self-draining oil filter; easy-to-use cowling latches, and several exhaust features to reduce vibration and noise. Although the Yamaha is a four-cylinder engine, its gearcase is one that you’d normally find on a V6. Therefore it takes a larger propeller—15x17.
How We Tested
Working with Marlin Marine captain Curtis Diamond, we trailered the Yamaha-powered boat to a St. Petersburg boat ramp and launched her. A PBR tester recorded speed with a handheld Garmin GPS 72, sound levels with a decibel meter from Radio Shack and fuel burn with a FloScan. Measurements were taken at increments of 500 rpm—and in two directions to account for wind and current. The captain hauled out the Yamaha-powered boat and took it back to Marlin Marine. The duo repeated the drill with the Honda-powered vessel.
Both boats had 3/4-full fuel tanks, were rigged with T-tops and were tested with two people aboard. PBR did not take the data on the Suzuki-powered 210. Though not our own, the Suzuki data is valuable information. Over the years, we’ve tested many Suzuki engines, and this engine manufacturer’s performance numbers have always been very close to ours.
In addition to comparing engine performance at various rpm settings, we also set the Yamaha- and Honda-powered boats at two cruising speeds (25 mph and 30 mph) to see what kind of mileage they racked up. Such a comparison makes sense with engines of varying horsepower.
The Honda may burn less fuel at a certain rpm setting than the Yamaha 150, but the Yamaha may be pushing its boat faster at that setting and therefore attain better mileage.
As it turns out, the Suzuki data included fuel readings taken at 25 and 30 mph. Lucky again.
What We Found
These engines are close in horsepower, but they sure are different when it comes to displacement. The Suzuki carries 30% fewer cubic inches than the Yamaha, and the Honda about 19% less. The Suzuki is already at its highest hp rating for this block when rated at 140 hp. It shares the same block and displacement with its smaller 115-hp cousin. At the 140-hp rating, it’s the lightest four-stroke in its class. We’d expect it to weigh less than the Yamaha—and its does by 55 pounds. The Honda is older and needs a weight reduction to be competitive with the newer engines available today; it tips the scales at a hefty 505 pounds. Hopefully, Honda’s new 150, due out in late fall, will be lighter.
The Honda performs admirably on the Triumph 210 center console, but it’s a good bet that its 150 version—due out in the late fall—will be a better choice for the boat.
With no direct competition today in the 150 hp four-stroke category, it’s difficult to comment on the weight of this engine. When compared to older carbureted two-strokes, even the lightest of the new four strokes are rather heavy. Most 150-hp two-strokes weigh between 390 and 425 pounds, quite a bit less than the F150’s 475 pounds. When you step down to the 115/130 class, the two-strokes are from 360 to 400 pounds, less than even the Suzuki 115 and 140 four-strokes.
The rise of the four-stroke outboard has made weight a far more critical factor in engine selection than it was in the two-stroke days.
All three engines are very quiet at low rpm settings, as you can see in the chart below. Decibel levels remain pretty even all the way through the rpm range until wide open throttle. Here, the Yamaha gets a little louder, reaching 94.5 decibels. The Honda topped out at 92 decibels and the Suzuki at 91 decibels.
The Yamaha pushed its boat to a top-end of nearly 43 mph, which is roughly 5 mph more than the Honda was capable of propelling its vessel. The Suzuki (which has 10 more horses than the Honda) topped out at 37.1 mph, which is 1 mph less than the Honda 130.
The Yamaha gets the best mileage of the group: 4.6 mpg at nearly 26 mph; the Honda gets its best mileage—4.4 mpg—at 4000 rpm, attaining 24 mph. The Suzuki can run 4.1 miles to the gallon, but this is at only 21 mph.
As we said, a significant test is to determine the mileage and range of each by comparing fuel burn at certain speeds. The Triumph 210 felt comfortable cruising at 30 mph in calm water and about 25 mph in 1-foot chop. So we took fuel readings and calculated mileage at these two speed settings. As our charts indicate, the Yamaha’s extra horsepower pays off as speed increases, allowing it to work less to attain the same speed as the other two engines. For instance, at 30 mph, the Honda and the Suzuki boats burn just over 8 gallons of fuel per hour, but the Yamaha burns under 7 gallons per hour. This means the Yamaha-powered boat can travel 4.35 miles per gallon at 30 mph, while the Honda- and Suzuki-powered vessels can go 3.7 miles per gallon at this same speed. The mileage advantage translates into more range for the Yamaha-powered boat. You could travel 41 more miles per tankful on 90 percent of the Triumph’s 70-gallon fuel capacity.
At 25 mph, the Honda boat gets the same mileage as the Yamaha boat because they both burn 5.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The Suzuki data indicates it burns 6.7 gallons per hour at 25.9 mph.
The Honda 130 is a heavy engine, and never provided any of the boats we’ve run it on with a quick hole shot. The Yamaha boat was definitely quicker, although not by all that much. The Yamaha boat came up on plane in about 5 seconds, the Honda in about 6 seconds.
Conclusion
Marlin Marine sells the Triumph 210 as a boat-motor-trailer package. With the Yamaha, that package costs $26,000, and with the Honda it’s $24,700, a $1,300 difference.
For its higher purchase price, the Yamaha gives you more speed, better acceleration and better mileage than the other two. We wondered whether you could earn back that extra purchase-price expense if you ran the Yamaha boat long enough. We did the math, comparing the Yamaha’s numbers and the Honda’s, figuring that one gallon of gas costs $2.
The Yamaha’s additional horsepower gives it more speed, which allows it to keep up with or surpass the Suzuki- and Honda-powered boats in the range department. At the 30 mph mark, the Yamaha boat can travel about 40 more miles on a tankful of gas.
Word problem: How many miles would you have to travel in the Yamaha-powered boat to make up its $1,300 higher purchase price? Answer: 16,095 miles. That’s an amount some commercial fishermen would have a hard time making. And remember that the Honda gets equal mileage at 25 mph, so for all intents and purposes we can rule out fuel efficiency as a determining factor in our buying decision. We’d really be choosing the Yamaha for its better acceleration and speed. Besides price, the Yamaha has two minor drawbacks: It’s louder at WOT than the other two engines, and the F150 is brand-new, so it lacks the Honda 130’s great track record for reliability. The Suzuki has been out for a couple years and has a good track record.
Bottom Line: If you have the extra $1,300, spring for the boat with the Yamaha F150. The speed gained with its 20 extra horses gives you a mileage advantage, albeit a slight one. Yamaha has an excellent track record with its other four-strokes, so we have no reason to believe it will not enjoy the same success as its had with its other models. As far as the noise difference, 2.5 decibels is negligible, and you’re not going to be running any small open boat at WOT consistently, anyway.
In addition, the Yamaha-powered boat is generally as quiet or quieter at the same speeds because it’s operating at a lower rpm to attain the same speed.
We would go with the Honda if you are on a tighter budget and are less concerned with speed or acceleration. The other option for Honda lovers: Wait until the 150 hits the market, which is supposed to happen in the late fall. The Suzuki is a good engine, too, but suffers from some of the same drawbacks—on this boat—that the Honda 130 does.
If you plan to consistently run with several passengers, the Yamaha would be the better choice, too.
Doughnut Something to consider, per the Suzuki web site they are offering "$500 cash back" on the 140. Also, I thought I saw a recent add in Saltwater Sportsman for Suzuki offering a six year warranty on the 140. I am getting a new Sea Pro with a 225 Suzuki and my dealer said that they usually have "specials" starting the first of each yea. So, if possible, it may be a good idea to wait a month or so and see what they have to offer. Good Luck with your selection.
One other Suzuki thing to consider is the fact that the Cam timing belt is under the block. When it needs replacing, they will have to seperate the block from the housing to change the belt. the Yamaha's belt is on top, remove flywheel and timing covers and you are there. I like the Suzy's, but that one thing keeps bugging me.
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
quote:Originally posted by Somethin-Fishey:
One other Suzuki thing to consider is the fact that the Cam timing chain is under the block. From a maintenance oint of view i just don't think this is prudent. Yamaha's belt is on top, remove flywheel and timing covers and you are there. I like the Suzy's, but that one thing keeps bugging me.
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
quote:Originally posted by Somethin-Fishey:
One other Suzuki thing to consider is the fact that the Cam timing belt is under the block. When it needs replacing, they will have to seperate the block from the housing to change the belt. the Yamaha's belt is on top, remove flywheel and timing covers and you are there. I like the Suzy's, but that one thing keeps bugging me.
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
The Suzuki does not have a timing belt - it is an oil bathed timing chain with an automatic tensioner.
What I meant by maintenance was pulling heads...I realize a chain won't need to be replaced. I wasn't very clear. To pull a head, you have to pull the timing cahin off the cam sprocket. In order to do that you have to pull the power head. I dunno...maybe it is fine and I'm niggling over nothing. it just doesn't sit well with me, that's all. It doesn't seem to be a problem with anyone else, so it is probably me.
The displacement thing is also a no-brainer. NOTHING beats CUBES!!!!
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
I cannot speak for the Yamaha or the Honda as I have not owned either one. From what I have read, I do believe they are both good engines. I can speak for the Suzuki. I have a 140 on my 20' Seacraft and couldn't be happier. I have 420 hours on her without a hiccup. I had a minor paint issue on the lower unit which Suzuki took care of at no cost even after the paint warranty had expired (12 months). The engine is almost 2 years old now and I still have over 4 years of warranty left. My boat is no speed demon, about 37 mph top end but the fuel mileage is good. I average about 3.5 mpg. I highly recommend the Suzuki.
right at 60 hrs. on a pair of Yami 150 4s. Powerful, fuel efficient, smooth a silk and quiet as a mouse. Jiggy's right "there's no replacement for displacement" - 2.7 litres, these boys got some stones.
Given they are priced between the Suzi and the Honda's, I'd give a good hard look. I'm very pleased.
Thank you guys. Thats a lot of info. I will probably go with the Yamaha as the Boat is rated for 175HP and the consensus is the Yamaha makes 165HP any way. Of course, as soon as I do that, they will announce the intro of a 350LB 175 4Strk!!!!! I will take your advice and wait to see on incentives and warranty. BTW, do you guys just avoid the 2-stokes now. I heard the HPDI's get great mileage.
Suzuki 140 4Strk vs. Yamaha 150 4Strk 
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