Shaun,
Basically Yes....

The only reason to market a 9.9 is for the "less than 10" market (like
Canada).

Is there any difference in reliability? I very much doubt that it will
ever show up and will very user dependent.

Which you choose is your bet. What are going to do with it? Do you
want to spend the extra money for the 15?

The High Thrust versions are for things that take a great deal of effort
to get going through the water. It is like holding a car in second gear.

If you are going to push a less than 2 ton sloop, you don't even need
the high thrust version (the new Honda HT backs much better than the
standard). I push a 4800# centerboard sloop with the board halfway down
a 6.0k at just over half throttle at about 1/2g/hr with a Honda 9.9. WOT
gets me to 6.2 and empties the tank way faster. A friend bought the new
TH and you can tell the difference just as he cranks up, but his cruise
is at a higher engine speed and his fuel rate is not as good as mine and
on flat water I can be at cruise at the same time.

What do I know? Well apart from being a lifelong waterman, I'm also a
naval architect and a marine engineer (licensed).

Your bet from here.

Matt Colie



Shaun Van Poecke wrote:
hi all,
Im trying to compare a couple of yamaha 4 strokes, both long shaft, both
electric start. the 15 and the 9.9 seem to share a common block, but with a
different carb and prop? they have exactly the same weight (50kg), same
displacement (323cm3), same compression (9.19:1), different gear ration
(2.92 for the 9.9, 2.08 for the 15).

is the 15 just a 9.9 with a different carb? are they just as reliable as the
9.9? Im guessing they wouldnt have as much usable thrust as the 9.9 with
its bigger prop, but probably a higher top speed?

thanks for any and all info,

Shaun



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