Yamaha Vs. Mercury Outboards: Which Is Better?

Wondering if you should choose Mercury or Yamaha outboards? Here is a comparison of Yamaha vs. Mercury outboards so you can choose the best for you without having to visit a boat show.

Mercury Outboard

Carl Kiekhaefer purchased an outboard motor business in 1939, which was the beginning of Mercury. His initial goal was to create magnetic separators for the dairy business.

By making the purchase, he acquired 300 outboard motors. They were restored by his staff, who then sold them to Montgomery Ward. Ward ultimately placed extra orders since they were so pleased with the work's quality.

The business has been a mainstay in American society as the go-to supplier of lightweight, small motors over the years. Today, they provide outdoor motors with power outputs ranging from 2.5 to 400 hp.

Yamaha Outboard

Thanks to two engineers, Yamaha started making outboard motors in 1958. Yamaha took two years to prepare and introduce its first model, due to testing and fine-tuning. Yamaha was well-known for producing musical instruments during the time. Many made jokes about this being the cause of the motor's loud noise.

The practice of Yamaha paying great attention to market research and consumer input began with this. Yamaha has continuously developed their motors because they pay attention to what their consumers want and need. In 1970, Yamaha outboard motors were introduced to the US market. The Yamaha Enduro range was a huge success. Customers now have a selection of 4-stroke motors ranging in horsepower from 2.5 to 425.

Yamaha Vs. Mercury Outboards

Both Yamaha and Mercury have made good quality outboard motors for many years. You really can't go wrong with either option, but you could discover that one is a little more suited to your requirements than the other. Here are some different aspects you should consider:

Environmental Impact

Mercury doesn't provide electric solutions even though they are always working to develop and modify their motors. They make every attempt to run efficiently while yet delivering great performance. On the other hand, Yamaha now sells a few different electric motors. Due to their size, they truly only work effectively on smaller boats traveling in calm water.

Warranty

Mercury outboards provides a helpful chart that makes it simple to determine what is specifically covered on your Mercury outboard motor. These plans offer extended warranties and generally have a maximum 3-year lifespan. You will receive protection from this for up to 8 years. As for Yamaha, you can expect the dealer to register your purchase online when you first acquire your motor. A warranty card will then be mailed to you. The terms and conditions for the motor are described in your dealer handbook but fret not if you lose the card, all you need for the service is the PID number on the port side of your engine.

Service and Maintenance

Mercury recently teamed with Dealer Spike, a SaaS business that will assist enhance Mercury's market presence. With personalized, high-performing websites and top-notch services, Mercury dealers can improve their services. As for Yamaha outboards, there are more than 2,000 Yamaha service dealers where you can get high-quality servicing.