Hi Chunky,

I am a partner in a boat rental and fishing guide company. Several of
our pontoon boats use the Suzuki DF50's. We have not had a problem with
the Suzuki engines. One now has almost 3000 hours on it. Salt water
corrosion does not seem to be a factor.

Many of the local crab boats use the suzuki's as well. It is getting a
strong following in the commercial market.

The only "bad" thing I have to say is we go through a lot of expensive
props, as renters can't tell an eddy current from a sandbar. Aftermarket
spares are not generally available. (Not for Honda's either and parts
are twice as costly.)

The DF140's I have seen around the marina are very quiet. When idling,
all you hear is the water discharge from the "pee hole." On a trip out
with a friend and his new Edgewater, his twin 140's gave the boat plenty
of speed, and we could hold a normal voice conversation. There was
almost no vibration.

Capt. Frank

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks

Chunky wrote:
I am planning to repower my 6m Aluminium Cuddy with a new 4 stroke
motor. I have come up with three candidates. The Suzuki DF140 (and the
Johnson which is essentially a rebadged DF140) or the new Honda BF135.

Suzuki DF140
DOHC inline 4 cyl 16 valve
2044cc
410lbs

Honda BF135
DOHC inline 4 cyl ? valve
2354cc
477lbs

If money was no object I'd go for the Honda because 1) 40 years of
small, high powered/speed 4 stroke motors. 2) Reputation. 3) Large
dealer network in Australia. However all these points command a price
premium of more than US$3000. Therefore the Suzuki (or Johnson) is a
big temptation. It looks great on paper, slightly more power, 67lbs
lighter etc. However will it stand the test of time.



I'd love to hear of others views/experiences etc with any of these
outboards.

Regards,
Robert.