New 15hp Outboard, What Brand to Get?

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
I got a 1 year old 310 RIB with the 3870 when I bought it. I was going to buy a Mercury 15hp tiller steer to put on it, with a shifter on the tiller, no throttle shift. Maybe electric start. The advantages of the Merc are a couple of pounds lighter and fuel injection.

A good buddy just picked up the Yamaha line. I can get a better deal, he will take excellent care of me all though the warranty which is longer than the Merc. The Yamaha's are still carbureted, but run great and that was why Merc had to step up to the injection. My friend would likely help me get the 15hp Yamaha injected when they come out in the next year or so.

What would you do?

MM
 
Tohatsu, check them out. They make merc up to 50hp. Alot for your money! If money no option then Evenrude.

+1 on Tohatsu. I've been running a small one for a few seasons now. My understanding is that they make the Merc outboards like LG mentioned. Best bang for the buck out there that I could find.

But if money is no object I'd also include Honda in your list.
 
The Mercury 15hp EFI is a good looking outboard. I would go electric start 1,000%... I have bought from these guys before... No Sales Tax, Free Delivery.... 6 yr Warranty...all for $3k... What else do you want ?... why in the world do you want to jerk around with carbs?
The only thing I would worry about is someone stealing it

15hp.png
 
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Lots of 15hp options. The one thing about tohatsu is they tend to be one year ahead of mercury since the make mercury and sell for less. Compare the two you might be surprised what you'll find as a bonus.

Last year I ended up buying 25hp tohatsu. My two buddies followed this past season. EFI is the only way to go. One had a Yamaha and the other had a Honda. They both saved a lot of weight and smaller footprint at the same hp and better torque.
 
I’ve got a 2017 9.9 Mercury that runs nice.
That being said:
While my 4 stroke is quieter and more fuel efficient it is also heavier and has less torque than the older 2 strokes. As a result, I don’t bother with the dinghy all that much.
Sounds like you are against a carb but if you maintain them they’ll be relativelyntroubke free.
If I had it to do all over again I would probably spend a little time looking around for a good used 2 stroke for use with a dinghy. If you find a nice clean good running one it will serve you well for the fewer hours a year you’ll out on it as compared to what you put on a primary boat.
In fact, I’m always keeping an eye out for the right 9.9 2 stroke. If I come across one the 4 stroke will be sold.
 
I have two seasons with my Tohatsu 15hp w/electric start and it has performed great... And made in the same factory as the Merc I've have been told.
 
I had a 4 stroke until last year. I came upon a literally mint condition 1990 Johnson 8hp 2 stroke and I love it ! Runs like a champ. Is lighter then the 4 stroke.

If you take care of the 2 strokes they run forever.
 
I have an older Mercury 15HP two stroke. The thing is powerful and runs like a top. never had any issues with it, yea it smokes a bit but it does the job
 
I have an older Mercury 15HP two stroke. The thing is powerful and runs like a top. never had any issues with it, yea it smokes a bit but it does the job

I also have a older 15 Mercury. Not sure if you or anyone else would know, but do you know if your throttle blade on the carb. opens completely when you pull the choke out to start the motor? I had a 7.5 hp and it would, but it doesn't on my 15 hp. The only time the throttle blade opens is when you twist the handle to make it go. I had a hard time starting it once and I took off the motor cover and manually held the throttle blade open while pulling and it started right up.
 
Tohatsu makes all Mercury outboards up to and including the 30hp model. The 40,50 and 60hp Mercs are built in China. Everything above 60 is made here. I bought a 6hp Tohatsu for trolling and emergency power three years ago. It has countless hours now and absolutely no problems. Highly recommend Tohatsu. Found mine on an Internet search for discounted outboards.
 
I also have a older 15 Mercury. Not sure if you or anyone else would know, but do you know if your throttle blade on the carb. opens completely when you pull the choke out to start the motor? I had a 7.5 hp and it would, but it doesn't on my 15 hp. The only time the throttle blade opens is when you twist the handle to make it go. I had a hard time starting it once and I took off the motor cover and manually held the throttle blade open while pulling and it started right up.
No clue
 
I also have a older 15 Mercury. Not sure if you or anyone else would know, but do you know if your throttle blade on the carb. opens completely when you pull the choke out to start the motor? I had a 7.5 hp and it would, but it doesn't on my 15 hp. The only time the throttle blade opens is when you twist the handle to make it go. I had a hard time starting it once and I took off the motor cover and manually held the throttle blade open while pulling and it started right up.
We had two 9.9 mercury 2 strokes late 90’s and second one that was an early 2000’s. Both had the same choke issue you experienced with your 15 hp Mercury. When cold starting both of the Mercury’s we had to take the engine cover off and manually open the carb while pull starting. It was a PIA. The second issue both motors had was the tilt bracket that would allow the engine to drop on its own after being tilted up. I got sick of this and now have a 2 stroke 15 Yamaha that starts on the first pull and had had zero issues.
 

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