Ok, I bought the 14 foot Porta-Bote at Fred Hall & I'm getting more serious about upgrading my 5hp Honda. I still will keep the Honda for times I don't want to lug around a heavier motor and as a future kicker for my 22' Whaler. I want a motor between 10 & 20hp. Porta-Bote recommends a 10hp motor. I don't want to be marginally powered & would rather have more & just go easy on the throttle. A 15 would be great & the Suzuki is just 97lbs. I looked at the Honda 20hp at 101 lbs. Yamaha's 9.9 & 15 weigh the same at 99 lbs. In the Cabela's catalog, I see the 9.8 Nissan at a great price and it weighs 83 lbs. I would much rather have a Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki. I plan to put a lot of hour on it, so longevity is an issue. The low weight & really cheap price is tempting for the Nissan. I am looking to buy arount the time of the October Long Beach boat show or early next year. The boat itself fills my toy buying quota for the better part of this year. Are Nissans easy to get parts & service for? Any opinions are welcomed. Does anyone know if the japaneese big 3 are planning to make lightweight motors soon?
catch_eat_release
The max weight limit on the 14 footer is the same weight as the 9.8 Nissan. Porta-Bote is a Nissan dealer. At the Fred Hall show I spoke to Eric (Hondadude) and he thinks the 20hp Honda is too much motor for a Porta-Bote. The way I look at it, if I don't buy a Nissan/Tohatsu/Mercury brand 9.8, all the other motors weigh about 100lbs give or take a few pounds. I'm really leaning towards the Suzuki 15hp. It is a high-revving motor & thats very important on a Porta-Bote if speed is needed & weighs the same as their 9.9 motor. The prices on Suzuki are waaay cheaper than Honda or Yamaha & the brochure states the Suzuki is tied with Yamaha for #1 JD Power customer satisfaction. Before I buy a Suzuki, I will research if the use good quality aluminum, have reliable elctrical systems & strong lower units. If the commission gods shine on me I might even be able to buy a motor early this summer.
I just got a 15hs Tohotus long shaft for a kicker and it is a really good little motor about $1,900 new and really easy to get part and I think it a great little motor for the money, we looked at all the motor and this was the best priced and siplest.
Craig
23 Striper, Tara 11
Craig
23 Striper, Tara 11
Nissan is tohatsu like indicated above. These engine are bullet proof and very high quality. BIG TENATCLES OUT !!!!
Thanks for the info Historic. I called Eric & you're right, that was a smokin good deal. I think you got the last one. BTW, United Parcel called & they deliver my 14' Porta-Bote Monday. Wow, that was fast. I just ordered the boat a week ago. I'll take it out next weekend (weather permitting) and post results compared to my old 12 footer. The engine saga continues. Thanks to everyone for all the replies.
Guess I lucked out, contacted him at the right time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the name brands. I'm really impressed with the performance of the little 9.9. It pushes my 10'2" inflatable fast enough to get airborne off the swells and putts smoothly at a really slow speed, starts the first pull just about every time and shifts great too.
Hope you find what you are looking for.
Jack
Hope you find what you are looking for.
Jack
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