Merc 150 4S vs Yamaha 150 SHO vs Suzuki 150SS

[mouabass]

As much as I have been wanting to get a Phoenix 618 with a 175, I have also been thinking about the Ranger RT198 with a 150. My local Ranger dealer has all three brands as well as Evinrude and Honda.
I have three Suzuki dealers within an hour radius of where I live so lack of service is not a problem for me. There's also multiple Mercury and Yamaha dealers around as well. With that said, which motor should I go with if I opt for the Ranger? I am wanting durability, performance, fuel economy, ease of maintenance - somewhat in that order.
thanks!

[alli ss]

The suzuki is bulletproof. If it was me id go 150g2 evinrude

[mactlman]

The suzuki is bulletproof. If it was me id go 150g2 evinrude

same here

[Hickory Legend]

Honda???

[alli ss]

Too expensive to work on and very limited dealers these last couple years

[Machine Concepts]

SHO

[HH45cal]

My last 3 boats had f Yamaha and 2 sho. Might be wrong but sho may cost more than other 2 your looking at and if that's an issue look at the f150 yammie. Otherwise zuki but all 3 likely good

[iron banks]

Saw a 150 merc the other day idling. Say saw because I couldn't hear it

[Capt Ray]

Given my saltwater roots I am very partial to Suzuki.

[mouabass]

Thanks everyone.
what about reliability? I Want something that will not give me any issues while out on the water. I fish LSC, Detroit River, and Erie and I want something that will start when I need it to.
thanks

[alli ss]

Theyre all reliable these days. Just personal pref- like a truck

[jc1992]

All of them will be good. Ask around and see who has the best reputation for repairs and see what brand they work on. If multiple, then just pick one that has the best deal going with the best warranty

[BoatBuggy]

Yamaha F150 (the grey one, not the SHO). It could very well be the most bulletproof motor out there.

[ken1okie]

Hidden NOS bottle!!!!!!!!! :)

[woppercatcher]

The suzuki is bulletproof. If it was me id go 150g2 evinrude

Huh? The Suzuki is bulletproof but go with an Evinrude 2 stroke? Wouldn't you go with the bulletproof one? I think if you have a choice for a Honda go with that. Now that is a bulletproof motor!!!!!

[BroWhoop]

How much more HP can the G2 have if its a 250?

[Bamaman]

I have a F150 Yamaha 4 stroke, and it and the Merc. 150 FourStroke are very, very close in performance--about 165 hp I'm told.

Suzuki's are a different animal to setup with their planetary gear on the drive shaft and their large diameter/high pitch props. And don't forget that Suzuki Marine as a company has a bad reputation and some dealers have problems with parts availability. But the motors, and especially the 150 hp, are fine motors.

But I'd go with the 4 cylinder Yamaha 150 SHO if I had the choice of three. It's essentially a modified F150--and doesn't share anything with the sometimes problematic SHO 225-250's. I assume it's got different camshafts to be stronger in mid-range and a pretty paint job.

But if the boat is rated for 200 hp, I'd go with the F200 Yamaha if available. It's a real hoss with its big throttle body, higher compression ratio and higher gear ratio.

[ChampioNman]

How much more HP can the G2 have if its a 250?

10%

[blkfalc4]

G2 ETEC

[mouabass]

I believe the RT198 is rated for 150 max.
For the guys who mentioned it, curious to why you would go with Honda? I ask because I don't see much Honda outboards around.
same question for the Evinrude guys. I see more 'rudes but still not on the same level as Yamis and Mercs