Just wanted to see everyones opinion on outboards and the pro and cons on this matter.

All even so far. I said Yamaha simply because that's what I have and it has worked perfectly for the three years since I've had it (starts up on the first crank every time).

Ya the voting is even so far if I had to rate them it be like this:

1. Evinrude

2. Yamaha

3. Mercury

This is sure to open a can of worms.  

;D

I've owned Merc, Evinrude, Johnson and finally a Yammie.  The other 3 paled in comparison to the rice eater.  

Johnson/Evinrude by far.  But, my favorite motor has to be a 1956 Johnson 5.5 seahorse.  Reliable motor, and classic look.  Don't know why, but that motor just calls my name.

well, this is my first boat so i cant say much except for so far i love the etec.  i have driven some late model yammies that are very good motors.  when i started shopping for a boat i was shopping for a yammie but the etec felt good under my foot.

Just wanted to see everyones opinion on outboards and the pro and cons on this matter.

I now own an '05 Evinrude E-Tec 50hp.

It runs clean (3-Star rated) and quiet with 2-stroke pop.

Don't know if it is the "best" or not.

I do know that there is an awful lot of good reviews out there on the Internet.

optimax

mercury! look at the sales number in comparison to the others and that alone says a lot...

I have a Merc, Johnson and a Suzuki

Suzuki was not on the list to pick from and its not as popular in the bass fishing market, But I would say that it was a better motor than any of  the johnson or merc's I have had. It ran stronger and harder, and was the easiest to maintaine.

That being said, If I was buying a "new" motor not a used one. I would buy a Merc. Just because I do not want a 4stroke and all the new suzuki's are 4 strokes. But those old 2 stroke Suzuki are hard to beat. That is why I just bought two older ones.

I have owned Evinrude, Johnson, Mariner, Mercury, Suzuki, Tohatsu, and Yamaha. The only one that ever gave me problems was the Mercury; the Suzuki was the fastest, I never done any thing but put gas in it and run it. I think with today technology there aint a dimes difference between all of them.

Looks like a dead heat at this point.  Merc 7, Yama 7, Ev-rude 6.  Looks like none of the top 3 manafactuers ar going out of bussiness.

Kelley

Ya I agree doesnt look like any of them are going out of business. Its always kind of a mixed reaction seemingly. Im kind of a Johnson/Evinrude man myself. Alot of the guys in the bass club im in have new Mercury 225 and 250s, they all seem to be slow starting. The boat my partner and I have been fishing out of has a 1988 Johnson 150 always starts immediatlely and runs great never a minutes trouble. I have a Johnson 115 on my boat. I guess overall all three brands are pretty good.

I went with Yamaha because that's what I currently use.Bought it in '05,and it's still performing just like the first time I took it out.Owned an Evinrude before the Yammie,and it was a good,solid motor also.It had just gotten a little too old.

Both bass boats that I have owned have had Mercs.  No issues.  

I like my Merc,  she gets a little grumpy sometimes on those cold morning starts.  Kind of reminds me of well.......ME!!!  LOL ;D ;D ;D

I've had a Johnson, Suzuki, and Mercury.  I would rank them 1. Suzuki  2.  Merc  3. Johnson.  I have a 17 year old Suzuki DT85 two stroke and it runs very strong and requires very little maintenance.  The only drawback with it is that it takes a little coaxing to start when it's really cold.  It's loud as heck too, but I kinda like that.  The Merc is good too, but she's in the shop every 3 or 4 years.