Outboard motors

[boatwest]

I finally found a discussion on this that I think clarifies the V Max Series II as a two stroke engine. I will probably stick with the F series as I want a 4 stroke.

[jafo9]

are the verado's supercharged or normally aspirated?

[Towdaddy]

The Verados are supercharged and this should reduce HP loss at altitude. You may want to look hard at these now.

[boatwest]

That is a good point. Normally aspirated engines lose about 3% of horsepower per every 1,000 ft. gain in altitude so my boat at Lake Powell, UT (3,500 ft. altitude), if it is a 250 hp, only gets around 225 hp, a 11% loss. My concern is the reliability and longevity of an engine that is supercharged. How would you compare the performance, maintenance and reliability of the Verado vs. the Yamaha V-6 4 Stroke? Certainly one would maintain most of the advertised HP with the supercharger.

[brumbyvet.1044]

That is a wide open question. I've always been a Mercury man so I'm going to always pick the Verado and I Know plenty of Yamaha guys who are always going to praise the Yamaha's. I think it's funny how in the past guys would say Mercs are crap and Yamas are great when in fact the Mercs were made by Yamaha. In your case I would probably just go with the dealer that you feel the most comfortable with. I think all modern outboards are well made and reliable, especially 4 strokes. With all that said, go Mercury...

[Towdaddy]

I agree with the last post and I think you will be happy with the Yamaha. As I indicated, I originally wanted the Yamaha but my dealer sold me on the Verado due to hole shot. My dealer services both brand and when I asked the head mechanic about reliability he indicated that both motors have few issues and are equally reliable in his mind. The major issues come from owner abuse and neglect.