Lets Explain the "Yes" Part: ( Is there one brand better than the other?)
Well for certain situations one brand actually is better than the other...........for you. This does not apply to everyone since not everyone has the same needs and applications for these motors. Some motors provide features and benefits better than others but in a comparison of all motors each have their subtle differentiation. In order to alleviate a homogenous market, brands have utilize a small degree of product differentiation. The functionality and mechanics of different brands all have one thing in common....performance.
Here are a few scenarios that we feel make sense to choose one brand over the other:
You want a motor that gives you the option of changing shaft length by adding or subtracting a component.
In this scenario you may consider a Johnson or Evinrude (others convert as well) outboard since the 4-15hp outboard motors have extension kits.
You have to have an outboard motor that has a gear shifter integrated into the tiller.
In this scenario you may consider a Mercury or Mariner outboard since they are the only brand that has the shifter built right into the twist tiller.
You want a sailboat motor that weighs under 60lbs but has the power of a 10hp.
In this scenario you may consider a Nissan or Tohatsu because they have one of the best sailboat 2-strokes the 9.8 hp
You are not concerned with weight and you want to have the most powerful motor for the horsepower rating
In this scenario you may consider a Suzuki since we have found them to be the most powerful motors for their rating. (Based on our tests. We make no statements claiming that Suzuki's will beat any other motor)
You want to find the right outboard for you by researching the features that each brand offers. It is foolish to exclude brands because of what you heard, you should do it based on concrete facts such as features.
Reputed "Off Brands"
This is probably the most important section of this article. THERE ARE VERY FEW IF ANY OFF BRAND OR GENERIC OUTBOARD MOTOR PRODUCERS IN THE USA TODAY. As of now there are only a handful of outboard motors that can be considered generic. Since the EPA has mandated emission regulations on outboard motors most of these companies have decided to get out of the motor business.
We do not regard Tohatsu, Nissan, Suzuki, Gamefisher, Mariner, Force or Chrysler as "off brands". Each of these brands have produced some of the best running outboard motors. Just because you do not see dealerships on every street corner does not mean that these motors are not quality products. In fact, we have found that Tohatsu/Nissan and Suzuki to have excellent engineering and innovative technology. We find that almost every used Nissan, Tohatsu, and Suzuki that we come across, regardless of appearance, have been strong runners. Many lodges and resorts world wide love these motors because of their durability and pricing. As far as Gamefisher, Chrysler and Force go these are great motors as well. They are economy motors that are targeted for a price conscious consumer. This does not mean that they have a shorter life span this basically means that they are less refined and may have less features(such as F-N-R clutch) than high priced motors. You should never disregard these motors as an purchase option just because of perceived notions.
Summary:
We at AFA Marine feel very confident that all manufacturers today and of years past have all been pretty consistent in putting out a great product. Outboard motors are some of the most sophisticated engineering that man has ever created. The thought and intuition that went into creating and designing outboard motors is very fascinating. In order to produce an engine that functions as a propulsion device for a water craft it must be able to handle the elements. Almost all engines that were created have been able to handle the test of time, stress, usage, and abuse. With this in regard there are a few brands that decided to take an economical marketing approach which meant using cheaper materials. For the most part, you can count on almost any brand or outboard motor to function well if taken care of.
AFA Marine
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