what motor to buy

[slim23]

just bought a 24ft seaark just wanted some thought's on motor.

yamaha
mercury
honda

[BlueMarlin84]

yamaha 4 stroke: F250, or the new big bores if you can find one. Then etec 250/300. Then honda 225.

[rj]

Have a freind that has a 24 seaark, it is loaded with all the options, including T-top,large center console, xtra storage, he has 6 kids & frequently carries a dozen or more people onboard (it is rated for 16),, it is rated for 150hp , but a 115 Yamaha four stroke pushes it well.

I personally own 3 Suzuki 4 strokes & prefer them to Yamaha,

[codykat]

A 24ft boat is big for a 115 ESP w/ that many people. Don't cheap out, there is nothing worse than an underpowered boat. Get a Yamaha 250 4stroke you won't be sorry.

[flycatcher]

All are good motors but anyone can wind up with a lemon from any manufacturer. Honda's been in the 4 stroke market the longest and never made a 2 storke. Suzuki made all the Evinrude 4 strokes for a few years and Yamaha made some of the early Merc 4 strokes (not Vorados). You might want to look for a free full 6 year warranty which gets offered from time to time by some manufacturers. I'm thinking the warranty may be more important than the manufacturer since all are quality engines. In the interest of full disclosure I have no financial or fiduciary relation with any of them and my boat is 2011 Honda powered (5 year warrranty).

[wen]

Hey guys....
do any of you realize what a 250 does to a boat like that ? It will turn it into a suicide machine !
I have a 20 Baymaster(yes a Sea Ark.)
Mine weighs 1300lbs dry, I think the 24 only comes in a few hundred pounds more.
I have a Honda 90 and it top ends at 40 with a great economical cruise at 24mph and 5-5.5mpg
A 115 might be a little light, but a 150 would be just fine,250,really?

[slim23]

looks like i'm going with a 115 merc really can't pass the price up installed with gauges 9700 what do you
all think also get a 5 yr warranty

[mrobertson]

Hey Slim -

I've got a 2006 Merc 90 4-stroke and it has been 100% flawless. It has never been in the shop for anything (knock on wood). Hot, warm, or cold, i turn the key and she starts right up. Hours unknown but i at least put 100 a year on it, probably more like 150 - 175.

I will say that - it is a big of a pig and not a "torquey" engine. By pig i mean when you look at it, its the size of a 150 they are big motors. Mine pushes my maycraft 1800 without any issues at all.

I would not hesitate to buy another one.

-Mike