Suzuki 140 vs Yamaha 115, 4-stroke performance

[Bestred1]

I'm about to make a deal on a new boat and am looking for opinions.

In comparing (4-strokes) the Suzuki 140 against the Yamaha 115 on like boats of similar weight, they perform almost the same. This data is on the net and you don't have to look very far to get it. The Suzuki is only about 2MPH faster than the Yamaha. The big difference is gas consumption in that the Suzuki sucks down 2GPH more. I read somewhere on a forum that the 140 Suzuki is just a tricked up 115 and that's why there's very little performance difference.

I haven't owned a boat in about 10-years and I'm amazed at how many Yamahas are out there and everybody seems to love them. Because of this, I'm leaning towards the Yamaha. I've worked out a price with 2-different dealers on the exact same boat and they're real close. The Yamaha deal is about $500 higher but this dealer is alot closer to my home.

If the 140 perfomance numbers were better, I'd soon be a proud Suzuki owner.

Opinions?

[COOL BREEZE]

To me, the Yam just looks huge for the HP.

[cgrand]

The Suzuki is only about 2MPH faster than the Yamaha. The big difference is gas consumption in that the Suzuki sucks down 2GPH more.

i find that hard to believe...

my experience is thus...i repowered from an F100 to a DF140, i now get better fuel economy (1.5 to 2 mpg) with the bigger motor. maybe the F115 is a different animal altogether, but thats a 4 mpg swing based on your statement...

[rockn n rollin]

i have a f115 yamaha on a 1900 cc 1900 lb maycraft. i recently saw eds marine advertise the same boat with a 140 suzuki at the same price as one with a f115 yamaha. i kinda got pissed but now you might have answered my question. i feel better now. but i must say that the suzuki has a great reputation here on the n.c. coast. yamahas fact sheet on their website states that a 1900 or 2000 lb boat with a f115 operated at 4500 rpm delivers a whopping 7 gph. i beleive that because i can put 30.00 worth of gas in the tank and fish,fish,fish,and fish.

[Bestred1]

These performance numbers are coming from links on the Yamaha and Suzuki Websites. I'll post the links when I have more time later. Getting ready to head to work at the moment.

rock n roll: I'm looking at a 1600lb boat, Bay Stealth 1880 so I don't think we'd be too much different. Do you think your Maycraft is underpowered or are you happy with it?

[Bov'sScout185]

I don't know anything about the Suzuki but I love my f115 Yam. I spent the day on High Rock lake with two boys fishing and tubing yesterday. I used 12 dollars worth of gas. The fuel economy of the Yam on a Scout 185 is fantastic.

[hneidere]

I own a pair of new Suzuki 140's and had the option to purchase the Yamaha 115's as well. I heard the same argument that the Yamaha 115's were just as powerful as the Suzi 140's.

Based on ALL of the data that I could find I ended up getting the Suzuki's, which were rated for more horses, less expensive, and came with a better warranty (6 years).

I have seen it mentioned on this board and elsewhere that outboard manufacturers are allowed to have a 10% margin of error for their horsepower rating at the prop.
If you look at those numbers that 10% could make the Yamaha's anywhere from 103.5 to 126.5 hp and the Suzuki's could be 126 to 154 hp. These are both great engines and I think you will be well served by either choice. For me it came down to the fact that the boat was rated for 300 hp and the twin Suzi's gave me 280 hp or 93% of the recommended maximum horsepower (remember the #1 regret of most new boat owners is that they did not strap enough engine on the transom). My rig handles great and it's more power than I need, but it is just the way I like it.

[hneidere]

Oh, and one more thing - you can get counter rotation on the Suzuki 140's and this was not an option when I checked on the Yamaha 115's .

[Inlander]

It is difficult to make head to head engine comparisons because there is little data to base conclusions. Here is another way of looking at your question about the df140. As I understand it is very similar to the Suzuki 115. I don't know if it is valid, but make an assumption that the Yamaha and Suzuki 115's have similar performance. If you compare the specs of the Suzuki 115 with the Suzuki 140 you can readily see that the 140 generates greater performance. The 140 has greater displacement than the 115, and you can readily see the 140 has a modified air intake. Those variables (and others?) translate into two very significant differences you can see in the specs. The 140 has a different a different gear ratio, and the 140 has a higher rated max rpm. (It is easier to find the stats for the Johnson 4 strokes vs the Suzuki). All other things being equal, the prop on the 140 is spinning a lot faster than 115. The debate whether the 140 is overrated in horsepower continues, but the stats clearly shows how it significantly outperforms the 115, and we don't hear anything about the Suzuki 115 underperforming.

[geminiII]

Last boat 19' Suzi 150 2 stroke.

New boat 22' Suzi 225 4 stroke.

No problems. Less expensive.*6 yr coverage.

What's not to like*

[prokats]

Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself to buy Yamaha? Zuke's all the way no comparison.

[rockn n rollin]

bestred1, i am somewhat satisfied with the f115 yamaha overall. i took 3 buddys of mine to the james river croaker fishing 3 weeks ago. we had a load of fish, ice, gear, etc,etc on the boat. total weight was somewhere around 1000 lbs i guess. uscg capacity is 1200 total i think. the boat was a little slow to plain but would still reach 30 to 34 mph with all this weight. with 2 people and normal gear, i have no complaints what so ever. it has a pretty descent holeshot and reaches around 40 to 42 mph depending on conditions. on a 1600 lb boat, performance would be even better i would think. if you decide to go with a f115, i can promise you that you will be very satisfied with the mpg. i don;t think it is underpowered but i have seen times that i would like to go a little faster. the wife says it is fast enough so i am at ease with what we have

[rockn n rollin]

forgot to mention this. the e tec as shown on the cd out performed the competitors by far in comparing the 225 hps. the yamaha would not plain the 23 ft angler or whatever size it was, (everybody knows a 2 stroke has a meaner holeshot than the 4 stroke in the first place) and was 14 mph slower. point i am trying to make is that a 90hp etec,according to the video, should run rings around the f115 or the suzuki 140. if they make or are going to make a 115 or 140, either of the two should be down right amazing. but what would the price look like? these engines still have to prove themselves to me,but so far i am very impressed with the difference in power of a equal engine of the so called same horsepower.

[jeff]

I'm not sure I really understand you comparison--why not compare the suzuki 115 to the yamaha 115, decide which one you like better and then determine if there is any advantage to a 140 over the 115. Powerboat reports did a very good, detailed comparison of those engines plus a third (can't remember which one) several years ago. my recollection is the suzuki had the advantage over the yamaha on just about everything but top end speed and was the very clear winner in terms of fuel ecomony at the very low end of the spectrum like ideling and trolling speeds. It used to be close to $1000 cheaper installed as well up around my so, so based on that I chose to repower with the suzuki 115 and it is the best engine I have ever run. The 140 is the same weight but was over $1,000 more and i did not think it was worth it to get the 4-5 more knots at top end....

[Bestred1]

Here's my issue:
All things being equal, Hands down I'd go with the zuk; however, Life is never equal!

The Yam dealer is 15 minutes from my house. I've negotiated his price to within $500 of the Zuk and that price includes a 3-year extended waranty. This puts me at 6-years on the YAM. Same-same as Zuk.

The Zuk dealer is 90 minutes (one-way) from my house.
Is it worth driving this far for service when there is very little difference in performance between these 2-motors? I don't always believe everything I read so I wanted some input from people that currently own them.

Keep em coming! I'm soaking em all in !!!

[Afishinado]

Bestred
I had a F115 on my SeaPro SV2100, there are a number of guys on here with the same boat with the 140 Suzy... they were MUCH faster than me!

I wouldn't worry much about service (if you do your own oil changes that is), neither of them typically see a repair shop very often.. Both excellent choices...

[COOL BREEZE]

Both are very good motors. I would prefer the 15min trip to the dealer as long as I like and trusted him, and I would up-grade to the Yam F150 so I wouldn't have to worry about power

[twentynine]

Have a Yam F-115. Been a good motor, with absolutely no problem. However if I could have purchased the same boat with the Suzuki 4srt 140, I would have went with it. The cost was in favor of the Suzuki, HP in favor of Suzuki, weight near as I can remember was close to even.

[jclaude]

hneidere - 6/22/2005 7:30 AM

Oh, and one more thing - you can get counter rotation on the Suzuki 140's and this was not an option when I checked on the Yamaha 115's .

Wrong!

The F115s have been available with the counter-rotating option since they were introduced in this country in early 2000!

[baypro21]

Bestred1 - Less money, more power, proven motor, what's the question? Also, if you're sold on Yamaha and we're spending your money, go with the f150. My 1900# (hull only) 8.5' wide with the 140 cruises at 31mph and wot is 42mph empty (40 loaded) and very fast to plane. Not sure of economy but it's very good, probably burn about 1/3 the fuel of my last (smaller) boat with a 115 2 stroke. If you are going to do your own oil changes (I can change mine in less than 30 mins) buy either motor, if dealer will be changing,go with Yamaha ( I wouldn't drive 90 mins. 1 way).