Tom Roberts
Well-known member
I'm needing some advise/input on these 2 boat motor makers. I'm comparing a new 20 HP Nissan and a new 15 HP Mercury. Both have the same features and are about the same price. Which do you think would be the best motor?
Nissan vs Mercury
- Thread starter Tom Roberts
- Start date
Brad Taylor (NC)
Well-known member
Ditto what George said, both are made by the same plant.
Brad
Brad
Jay Anglin
Well-known member
I'm not sure the 15 is made by Nissan...I thought the cut off was at 8 or something. Anyway, I have a Nissan and I have used the 15 Merc extensively and I'd swing for the Merc.
Huntindave McCann
Well-known member
Jay and others,
I looked on line just because I was curious. The specs on a 20hp Merc and a 20hp Nissan were line for line the same as far as all the mechanical engine specs. There was a very slight difference in altenater output. The listed dry weight differed by one pound, go figure???
Unless the build tolerances (ie. quality control) are different, I would say there is no difference between these motors. Mind you, all I checked on was the 20hp model.
I looked on line just because I was curious. The specs on a 20hp Merc and a 20hp Nissan were line for line the same as far as all the mechanical engine specs. There was a very slight difference in altenater output. The listed dry weight differed by one pound, go figure???
Unless the build tolerances (ie. quality control) are different, I would say there is no difference between these motors. Mind you, all I checked on was the 20hp model.
Jay Anglin
Well-known member
Hmmmm....I thought it was only the smaller portables. Makes sense though since they've been in bed together a long time. I do know this, while I don't have a huge issue with my Nissan I'm not totally sold on the build of this motor. I have to be gentle with it now because I've had a few stupid parts breaks. But, its quite possible the newer Mercs are the same way. All I know is that the 15 Mercs I've used in recent years seems to be well made and durable and ran great. Of course NOTHING will ever be built like they used to be.
Here's one for you....a friend of mine just got a new river boat which came with Yamaha 30 Jet. He took it out the first day and the thing lost over half of its oil into the engine housing and eventually it ran into the river which is how he noticed it. Apparently an o-ring was missing. I'm not sure how this could of made it past QC but you'd think when they run the motor they'd have caught it which suggests this one was never run at the factory. The dealer was in shock...they ran it but it was at idle so the oil didn't pump out. Of course the dealer and Yamaha took care of him but.....
He said it took him over 3 hours to clean the oil off the motor and the boat. First time out!
Here's one for you....a friend of mine just got a new river boat which came with Yamaha 30 Jet. He took it out the first day and the thing lost over half of its oil into the engine housing and eventually it ran into the river which is how he noticed it. Apparently an o-ring was missing. I'm not sure how this could of made it past QC but you'd think when they run the motor they'd have caught it which suggests this one was never run at the factory. The dealer was in shock...they ran it but it was at idle so the oil didn't pump out. Of course the dealer and Yamaha took care of him but.....
He said it took him over 3 hours to clean the oil off the motor and the boat. First time out!
I dont know about the new Nissan 4 strokes, but I've beat the heck out of my Nissan 18 hp 2 stroke for the last 10 years and have had no issue with it. Other than water in the gas, which is not the motors fault. And Ive done almost no maintenance except for 2 plug & lower unit oil changes.
Nissan has a great reputation, I would not hesitate to get another.
Nissan has a great reputation, I would not hesitate to get another.