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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Crippy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 80hp - Honda or Suzi
    Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 11:21am
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Looking for advice from the gurus on here re. which outboard to go for.
Below are links to the two I'm looking at.



The Suzuki is cheaper(enough cheaper that I could probably get a new sounder) but I don't want to sacrifice performance just to save $. 
The main difference I can see between the two is the higher gear ration of the Suzuki, what would be the result of having a higher gear ratio?

The boat will mainly be used for spearfishing but will take out trolling for tuna a few time a year and a bit of rod fishing every now and then too.

Cheers

Go hard or die trying.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote OuttaHere Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 11:29am
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Extremely similar motors. The zook is a twin cam where the Honda is a single; added complexity for perhaps slightly higher efficiency/performance/

We're running the DF70A (largely the same motor as the DF80A) on a Stabi 1550 and return 2LPH (yes, 2, heh) @ 6 Knots trolling for Albies. 11 hours trolling on a 23L tote....

Important things to check...
-Warranties
-Convenience of service locations nearby
-Cost of servicing at those locations
-The Zuks run happily on 91 octane, might be worth checking if the Hondas require the more expensive 95?

Can't comment on the ratio bit, sorry.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Crippy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 4:32pm
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Cheers Rozboon. 
-The Honda has a 7 year warranty and the Suzi a 5 year. 
-The servicing would be by the installer, good point asking about difference in servicing costs between brands.


Go hard or die trying.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Nathan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 9:55am
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Go for the 7 year warranty. My df90a had an unexplained gear box malfunction at 5.5 years (400 hours) and Suzuki washed their hands of it. Went out of the way to be unhelpful.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cirrus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 10:28am
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Get the impression warranty is a bit of a con,each company trying to outdo opposition by giving longer warranty.
 What does warranty really cover.?
When initial signs of a problem begins to show they cant find the problem.Then something else shows and they cant find that either. Then when the total problem manifests you are just out of warranty and they are not interested.

If i were buying i would check out each agents history,check customer reviews and go with whom you feel best about regard future backup.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Muzzfishing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 11:14am
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If you want to save money get the cheaper one, I would be looking at servicing as you are going to be dealing with them for a few years. So pick the the company whos going to look after you. I have a Suzuki quiet and economical 2yrs old and have not had any issues.  As for warranties Surtees have 10yr warranties on there boats may be everyone should buy a Surtees Boat.
    A Good Skipper Keeps the water on the outside of the boat.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote MacSkipper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 11:25am
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Originally posted by cirrus cirrus wrote:

Get the impression warranty is a bit of a con,each company trying to outdo opposition by giving longer warranty.
 What does warranty really cover.?
When initial signs of a problem begins to show they cant find the problem.Then something else shows and they cant find that either. Then when the total problem manifests you are just out of warranty and they are not interested.

If i were buying i would check out each agents history,check customer reviews and go with whom you feel best about regard future backup.
Good point to my mind if purchased and serviced by same agent any hassles while under warranty and just out should be covered no questions asked, just check service costs as you pay "warranty premiums" this way?  With 7 year warranty (which is great!) - is there a major (and expensive) service at 5 years?
Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cirrus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 1:20pm
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I would buy sooner rather than later. With our dollar still sliding against the $ U.S -now at 63.27 compared to over 66 c  30 days back,
and likely they are imported in U.S Dollars it is possible prices may creep up.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Crippy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 3:59pm
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Cheers all. Alot of food for thought there, I'll go in and chat to the dealer about service costs etc of each motor. They are a pretty well known outfit here in Wellington and haven't heard anything bad about them.
Go hard or die trying.
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