Newer model Suzuki 4 strokes

[CRosh324]

Just curious of everyone's opinions on a newer model (2019-2021) Suzuki 4 stroke?  I've been looking at aluminum boats in the 18' range with 115 hp outboards.  One dealer here locally has had good things to say about them.  Just would like some pros and cons of the Suzuki vs Yamaha vs Mercury....

[Terry G]

Love my 2014 Suzuki 4 stroke 150HP

[Capt. BassinLou]

Several people that I know, love there Zuk's. It was my outboard of choice, but my Vexus came packaged with a Merc Pro Xs so I went that route. But if I had the choice, it would still be a Zuk.

[coldfront]

Several people that I know, love there Zuk's. It was my outboard of choice, but my Vexus came packaged with a Merc Pro Xs so I went that route. But if I had the choice, it would still be a Zuk.

Lou:  can you speak more to this?  I'm just about to pull the trigger (yeah, sure, right... just have to be able to reach the wallet in my back pocket...) and looking at the 1880... so the key question:  merc proxs 4-stroke or the suzuki?  these will be the 115hp i'm thinking.
not sure if I'm gonna go up to the 1980...

[Capt. BassinLou]

Several people that I know, love there Zuk's. It was my outboard of choice, but my Vexus came packaged with a Merc Pro Xs so I went that route. But if I had the choice, it would still be a Zuk.

Lou:  can you speak more to this?  I'm just about to pull the trigger (yeah, sure, right... just have to be able to reach the wallet in my back pocket...) and looking at the 1880... so the key question:  merc proxs 4-stroke or the suzuki?  these will be the 115hp i'm thinking.
not sure if I'm gonna go up to the 1980...

All I can speak of is the fact of the people that I know with Zuks, LOVE their outboards. They have had them for years, with 0 issues. And the maintenance is easy to do.
If I had the option back when I bought my 1880, I would have gone with a Zuk. I will give up a little bit of power, but the reliability factor is huge for me.

[Bud Kennedy]

Last year when considering a re power the Suzuki 150 had become my choice.  The problem was that Suzuki does not have much of a presence for quality service providers in my area.  Most service shops in our coastal area are for Mercury and Yamaha.  Logically I would make a choice where substantial warranty service was available locally in order for me to make a purchase.  My logical choice then become the Yamaha for the service provider footprint and the overall packaging of the motor itself.

Terry G has a Suzuki 150 on his boat and its performance is very good.  I think his Suzuki is now about 6 years old and runs great.  The gear ratio of the drive train does make for slightly different prop choices.  The final factor for me was the overall weight of the 4 stroke package.  Yamaha wins in that category also.

The cost of a re-power is crazy with expectation of 16 - 20 K for a 150 to include rigging.  When you think about it a new boat fully rigged becomes a viable alternative. 

I guess it does not really matter all that much in today's environment because you can't get a new motor and you can't get a new boat unless you wait many many months that can't really be forecasted for delivery dates.

Currently the best buy on the market today is really the Tohatsu with prices in the $11K to 14 K range.  High power 140-150 HP Tohatsu motors are actually made by Honda and for the record are a bit on the heavy side.

CF given things you have said in the past the Vexus 19 ft with a 150 would be a good fit for you.  The 18' with a 115 is also a solid performer just not as fast as the 150 that is available on the 19' models.  At least up your way you have some very good marine dealers that can provide about any make and model you want.  This is not the case in my geography.

[coldfront]

thanks all.  talked it over with a local (nashville/franklin) dealer... the Suzuki seems to be just as quick, top and hole shot, but needs a different, specific prop.
and bud:  yes, would love the 1980... but not sure it'll fit in my garage.  length wise, we're fine... it's got to clear the header on the door though... and with a steep driveway, that angle from axle to top of outboard (outboard height) might be an issue.  not sure if I can overcome with a hydraulic jackplate...  looking at that...
and it's all about angle of the truck chassis, fulcrum of the hitch... and how that outboard elevates right when it needs 'not'.
if money were no object, I'd just re-do the facade and change the garage opening...  IFF... 



and bud:  you did get me thinking more seriously about this...  can I afford it?  yes.  should I toss that amount of $$ at it?  that's the question.  might be my last official act of irresponsible behavior as an adult (oh, let's hope not!)
figure I might want to really enjoy the boat... for as many years as I am gifted to fish...
lost too many folks these past years, and am now old enough that I can't ignore reality...

[Bud Kennedy]

One thing about it.  A new motor does not increase the value of the boat on a re sale basis very much.  The only way to maintain some investment value would be with an entirely new rig.  For me the best decision would have been a new boat all rigged the way I wanted.  My budget wanted the less cost of a re power but after consideration divided by my age the new motor would have been cheaper but would not have added enough value to my old boat.  Did not seem reasonable to put $20K into an old boat that I only paid $5K for in the first place.  All the other upgrades I did with the old boat also did not add dollar for dollar value to resale value.  So here I sit without a new boat and still fighting my old motor.  Not a good combination for an old man to deal with.

In my opinion the Vexus is a far better boat than the RT Rangers just due to construction methods and progressive thinking leaning in favor of the angler.

[coldfront]

One thing about it.  A new motor does not increase the value of the boat on a re sale basis very much.  The only way to maintain some investment value would be with an entirely new rig.  For me the best decision would have been a new boat all rigged the way I wanted.  My budget wanted the less cost of a re power but after consideration divided by my age the new motor would have been cheaper but would not have added enough value to my old boat.  Did not seem reasonable to put $20K into an old boat that I only paid $5K for in the first place.  All the other upgrades I did with the old boat also did not add dollar for dollar value to resale value.  So here I sit without a new boat and still fighting my old motor.  Not a good combination for an old man to deal with.

In my opinion the Vexus is a far better boat than the RT Rangers just due to construction methods and progressive thinking leaning in favor of the angler.

actually, I'd LOVE to get a new ranger tin.  that being said, I hear things about the service since they were folded in...  and have had some less than stellar experiences myself 'since'...  the final straw was when they decided  they'd no longer offer the center 'coin box'... such a small thing.  but after a bit?  a final straw is a final straw...

[Marky1]

My son recently had a 140HP installed on his boat (saltwater). Very good on fuel, quiet. It appears to be a "Mercury" advertising market in the Pro Bass circuit . Not too much with the Suzuki's. I know there some Suzukis on some of the Bass boats. Was in Fla. last June,lots of Suzuki dealers down there .Hmm, I wonder why ?

[big g]

I had a Suzuki 115 2 stroke for 25 years with little problem.  Changed to a Yami 115 4 stroke , but have heard nothing but good things about the Suzuki 4 strokes.    Cost if usually good when compared to Yami.