Putting in an order for a Lund 1810 Predator and have an option between a Mercury 90Hp 4 stroke and a Honda 90 Hp 4 stroke.  The Honda is $890 more but I have heard such good things about them.  Is it worth the extra?  Any input appreciated.

Thanks!!!!!

Is 90 the biggest they offer? 

IMO go as big as you can afford.  You will be disappointed down the line if you do not. 

I saw the test report on the last Lund Predator 1810 the dealer sold. 51 MPH with Honda 90. It can take a 115, but just does not need it for what I do. Not sure I would want to do more than 50 in an aluminum a boat with an 85" beam.

I have heard good and bad about both brands.  What I do know is who has the most of the market share and therefore more techs in more places who know how to work on them.  That alone would make me go for a Merc.

I have never had a Honda outboard but I have asked many people that do have them and they all have loved them. They are so quiet you can't hear them running. One man told me they were heavy but he wouldn't trade it for any other outboard. Most have raved about the gas mileage. I have a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke on a pontoon boat and it is much louder and I don't think the gas mileage is great either. I believe if I were you there would be a Honda in my future.........Al

I saw the test report on the last Lund Predator 1810 the dealer sold. 51 MPH with Honda 90. It can take a 115, but just does not need it for what I do. Not sure I would want to do more than 50 in an aluminum a boat with an 85" beam.

I have trouble believing that boat will do 51 mph with a 90. I'd say that's closer to what the 115 will do.

Dealer service is import in this decision. If you have a good Honda dealer close to you go for it. There are Mercury dealers virtually everywhere.

Dealer service is import in this decision. If you have a good Honda dealer close to you go for it. There are Mercury dealers virtually everywhere.

x2

Brother in law has a Honda which is nice, but when it comes time for service he has to make a haul!  Also, I would strongly consider maxing out the HP on the boat, since riding around with a engine at lower RPMs with more horsepower usually saves you more on gas than using more RPMs on an underpowered boat hull.  Its not always about the top end, but efficiency.

I saw the test report on the last Lund Predator 1810 the dealer sold. 51 MPH with Honda 90. It can take a 115, but just does not need it for what I do. Not sure I would want to do more than 50 in an aluminum a boat with an 85" beam.

I have trouble believing that boat will do 51 mph with a 90. I'd say that's closer to what the 115 will do.

I will agree with this, even with the 115. Maybe on calm, flat day on an empty boat, but with full load I would say closer to 45. Still plenty fast though.

I also agree with the Service part. If they are both equal I would personally choose the Honda.  But would take either...don't get me wrong. ;D

Dealer service is import in this decision. If you have a good Honda dealer close to you go for it. There are Mercury dealers virtually everywhere.

You also would want to check on local honda service at lakes you most frequent.  I've had a couple issues in the past that required a service guy on the water to fix an issue they couldn't reproduce in the shop. 

I have heard good and bad about both brands. What I do know is who has the most of the market share and therefore more techs in more places who know how to work on them. That alone would make me go for a Merc.

Have a Merc, but that was on my used boat that I bought. If I had a choice it would be an Evenrude. They all have ups and downs, it really depends on how you maintain it for how long it lasts. BTW, the reason I would choose a 'rude is because it has better stats with my Bass Cat. Faster speeds, better fuel economy and the 130 Amp alternator with 50 non-dedicated Amps is pretty cool.