looking the same mate. 4 strokes obviously the go , but if you are still, considering 2 strokes, have a look at the Tohatsu 90ph is worth a look on $ alone. I haven't been able to find anything bad about them at all.
Im not confident with the ETECs as a bit of bad publicity around on them. I will be interested in the coming responses as well.

 i recently went the way of suzuki 90hp 4 stroke, 2014 model. from brett ward at west coast suzuki, the weight and fuel economy sold me. i had a 2002 90hp merc 2 stroke and i have more then halved the fuel bill 

Not 100% sure but weren't suzi offering a cash back promo recently

definitely go 4 stroke if you can, it's not only the less fuel, quietness and increased range but consider resale will be better as well and more likely to get the sale in the first place over a 2 stroke.

 I've got an evenrude 150 etec. Can't fault it, brought it from chives marine in Perth. Great fuel economy, defiantly wouldn't say it's noisy and the fumes are pretty much non existent. It came down to price for me as re sale wast a big issue. 

 Oh god I can't help myself, the spelling Nazi voices in my head tols me to do it lol .... definitely!!!

Is the one that always makes me smile...

if you want bullet proof reliability and over all quality ( that includes the paint and finish of the cowlings) yamaha are very hard to go past.

I just stepped up from a 90hp 4st to a yammy 115hp 4st on the back of my ocean whaler and am very happy, economy is better than the 90 and I am yet to put a s/s prop on it.

Stuart Dixon at jet power in Wangara busted his arse to do the best deal for me.  

 Folks have a 70 yammy on their boat, and I have a 75 etec on mine. both great motors.

The yammy is like a tractor. Plenty of noise but it just goes.

both are less than 5 years old with less than 100hours.

Thanks for the input everyone.
looks like ill be re-powering with a Suzi 90.
Absolute cracker of deal!

Hi All

Re hashing an old thread for some advice.  My Dad needs to repower his 5.4m Trailcraft runabout.  Was runninng a 75hp 4 stroke Mercury which has pooped it after 15 yrs.  Looking at roughly same size or possibly up to 90hp.

What's everyone's opinion on  4 strokes in this size?  

Marineboy - how's the Yammy going?

gillyL & CC106 - how's the Suzuki going?

Cheers for any advice!

Yamaha are great motors (2500 hrs on my last one) but IMO I wouldn't bother with an 80HP as its only a de-rated 100hp.
You may as well pick up the extra HP if you are going to carry the same weight for a few extra bucks.

Found the Suzi motors lighter and more powerful with a great fuel economy (lean Burn).

The last model Merc 90 4 stroke was a very tall/heavy motor and mates have had issues with the cowling getting in the way (Trimming up and bait board clash). but looks like the new 90 has improved on that.

 Yamaha have just released an updated 90hp based off the 115 block.That's what I would be looking at.

 Thanks all.  Much appreciated!

 Anyone had any experience with the new Mercury 4 Strokes around the 90hp mark?

 My 5m Seafarer has a 2011 DF90 and whilst I don't have any previous boats to compare to I am extremely happy with it. Gets me up to 33kn and around 23kn at 4500rpm.

I pushed out to the 14 mile mark off Mindarie through a 12kn NE and 1.7swell with 3 on board and drove between the 4600-5500 RPM range in and out (much calmer heading home) and used around of 0.8L per Nm.

I've had days where I've hit the 3 Mile and filled up heading home only for it to take about $4.

Hole shot is instant and smooth.

The only tiny negative for me is that they are a high rev engine and are therefore a tad noisier than my mate's Honda but at rest you only know it's running from the splashing of the telltale on the water.

 Thanks Guys

I think we're leaning towards the 90hp Mercury over the Yamaha.  The quotes we're getting for both are very similar but Yammy only has a 4yr warranty whereas the Merc has 5.  Quotes for the Suzuki and Honda are a bit more pricey.

Quite happy with the guys we're getting Merc quotes from too and the Yammy quotes are from agents a fair bit further from where the boat lives so servicing etc will be a bit more of a hassle.

Learnt that the Merc has a fairly large displacement compared to the other models in the 90 range too.  Merc is 2.1L, Yammy 1.6L, Suzuki & Honda 1.5L.  Not sure exactly how much difference this would make but given the weight and rpm difference between them all is negligible, I would assume the bigger displacement would equal greater power?   Also assume this would also equate to slightly higher fuel useage which isn't a huge issue for us.

Also, apparently the Merc is the only dedicated marine engine too?  All the others are basically car engines modified to suit an outboard.  Obviously this doesn't automatically make the Merc better than the others given there are many happy customers for all makes but I did think this was interesting.

Spent too much time researching, now I sound like a salesman.

Anyways, thanks again for your input!  Will let you know which way we go.

i have a year old efi 90 Merc  with the command thrust leg on my Mako Cat.

its pretty good so far.

altho I believe my old yam 80  4 banger may have been a tad cheaper on fuel.

the mercy revs harder.