Suzuki DF140 quality and prices
 

I am in the market for a 2005 Suzuki DF140 with a 25" shaft. The boat
I have is a one off custom that is based on a Olympic Boat Company
Evolution 17 hull. The max horsepower for a production version of this
boat is 140hp and I want the maximum power possible. I'll have the boat
at Lake Tahoe now and then and I don't want it to be grossly
underpowered at 6200'.

I live in California, so a four-stroke is the only way to go as I plan
to use the boat for many years. California is becoming very restrictive
in what type of motor can be use on fresh water.

How good are the DF140s? I can't seem to find much negative feedback
about them.

I have been quoted US$9300.00 for a 25" DF140 for the motor only.
Rigging, controls, Tachometer, and Prop are not included in this price.

From what I can find on the 'net this is not exactly a good deal.
However, this is not the time of year to be trying to get good deals on
boat stuff.

Most of my use for the boat will be freshwater lakes (resevoirs) with
occasional use in the ocean.

The DF140 is about 425lbs with a 25" shaft. It is a small package
compared to a Honda 130/135. The Hondas are very large (Huge) and would
be grossly out of proportion for my boat. Their 530lb weight is a big
factor as well. Yamaha has a 115 and a 150, but they are big and heavy
like the Hondas, from what I can tell.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am in the market for a 2005 Suzuki DF140 with a 25" shaft. The boat
I have is a one off custom that is based on a Olympic Boat Company
Evolution 17 hull. The max horsepower for a production version of this
boat is 140hp and I want the maximum power possible. I'll have the boat
at Lake Tahoe now and then and I don't want it to be grossly
underpowered at 6200'.

I live in California, so a four-stroke is the only way to go as I plan
to use the boat for many years. California is becoming very restrictive
in what type of motor can be use on fresh water.

How good are the DF140s? I can't seem to find much negative feedback
about them.

I have been quoted US$9300.00 for a 25" DF140 for the motor only.
Rigging, controls, Tachometer, and Prop are not included in this price.

You can do better on the price, but the Suzuki four-strokes are perhaps the
best motors on the market right now.

My brother has a 140 with 200 hours, and I have a 250 with 210 hours.
Neither of us has had even a small problem with our motors.

Gene Kearns has a pair of them on his Grady. I'm pretty sure he hasn't had
any trouble with his either.

Thanks for the info on reliability.

The problem with Suzuki motors and pricing is that there is one dealer
in my area.

Many people advise paying a higher price to a local dealer so as to
establish a good working relationship for warranty issues, etc. Buying
from a remote dealer may get a better price. It can come back to bite
you if you need warranty service.

I live near San Luis Obispo. The nearest dealer is Port San Luis
Marine. They are 1/2 hour from my house. The next closest are in
Fresno, Clovis, Oxnard, and Santa Cruz. All of which are 2-3 1/2 hours
away.

This part of the world is vacationland, so everything costs more than
the urban areas. For a good laugh look up the cost of real estate in
San Luis Obispo county, then the major employers. We pay higher prices
pretty much everything except the local produce at the farmer's
markets. Outboard motors are no different, it seems.



You can do better on the price, but the Suzuki four-strokes are perhaps the
best motors on the market right now.

My brother has a 140 with 200 hours, and I have a 250 with 210 hours.
Neither of us has had even a small problem with our motors.

Gene Kearns has a pair of them on his Grady. I'm pretty sure he hasn't had
any trouble with his either.

On 20 Jun 2005 15:17:59 -0700, "
wrote:

Thanks for the info on reliability.

The problem with Suzuki motors and pricing is that there is one dealer
in my area.

Many people advise paying a higher price to a local dealer so as to
establish a good working relationship for warranty issues, etc. Buying
from a remote dealer may get a better price. It can come back to bite
you if you need warranty service.

I live near San Luis Obispo. The nearest dealer is Port San Luis
Marine. They are 1/2 hour from my house. The next closest are in
Fresno, Clovis, Oxnard, and Santa Cruz. All of which are 2-3 1/2 hours
away.

This part of the world is vacationland, so everything costs more than
the urban areas. For a good laugh look up the cost of real estate in
San Luis Obispo county, then the major employers. We pay higher prices
pretty much everything except the local produce at the farmer's
markets. Outboard motors are no different, it seems.

Could be worse. You could live in Paso Robles. That would be bad!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

"John H" wrote in message
...
On 20 Jun 2005 15:17:59 -0700, "
wrote:

Thanks for the info on reliability.

The problem with Suzuki motors and pricing is that there is one dealer
in my area.

Many people advise paying a higher price to a local dealer so as to
establish a good working relationship for warranty issues, etc. Buying
from a remote dealer may get a better price. It can come back to bite
you if you need warranty service.

I live near San Luis Obispo. The nearest dealer is Port San Luis
Marine. They are 1/2 hour from my house. The next closest are in
Fresno, Clovis, Oxnard, and Santa Cruz. All of which are 2-3 1/2 hours
away.

This part of the world is vacationland, so everything costs more than
the urban areas. For a good laugh look up the cost of real estate in
San Luis Obispo county, then the major employers. We pay higher prices
pretty much everything except the local produce at the farmer's
markets. Outboard motors are no different, it seems.

Could be worse. You could live in Paso Robles. That would be bad!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Jolon, now that was bad.

"Del Cecchi" wrote in message
...

"John H" wrote in message
...
On 20 Jun 2005 15:17:59 -0700, "
wrote:

Thanks for the info on reliability.

The problem with Suzuki motors and pricing is that there is one dealer
in my area.

Many people advise paying a higher price to a local dealer so as to
establish a good working relationship for warranty issues, etc. Buying
from a remote dealer may get a better price. It can come back to bite
you if you need warranty service.

I live near San Luis Obispo. The nearest dealer is Port San Luis
Marine. They are 1/2 hour from my house. The next closest are in
Fresno, Clovis, Oxnard, and Santa Cruz. All of which are 2-3 1/2 hours
away.

This part of the world is vacationland, so everything costs more than
the urban areas. For a good laugh look up the cost of real estate in
San Luis Obispo county, then the major employers. We pay higher prices
pretty much everything except the local produce at the farmer's
markets. Outboard motors are no different, it seems.

Could be worse. You could live in Paso Robles. That would be bad!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Jolon, now that was bad.


But the bar had good Mexican Pizza.

"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Del Cecchi" wrote in message
...

"John H" wrote in message
...
On 20 Jun 2005 15:17:59 -0700, "
wrote:

Thanks for the info on reliability.

The problem with Suzuki motors and pricing is that there is one
dealer
in my area.

Many people advise paying a higher price to a local dealer so as to
establish a good working relationship for warranty issues, etc.
Buying
from a remote dealer may get a better price. It can come back to bite
you if you need warranty service.

I live near San Luis Obispo. The nearest dealer is Port San Luis
Marine. They are 1/2 hour from my house. The next closest are in
Fresno, Clovis, Oxnard, and Santa Cruz. All of which are 2-3 1/2
hours
away.

This part of the world is vacationland, so everything costs more than
the urban areas. For a good laugh look up the cost of real estate in
San Luis Obispo county, then the major employers. We pay higher
prices
pretty much everything except the local produce at the farmer's
markets. Outboard motors are no different, it seems.

Could be worse. You could live in Paso Robles. That would be bad!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Jolon, now that was bad.


But the bar had good Mexican Pizza.
Never saw a bar in Jolon when I was around there, in the 71-73 time
frame. Guys were volunteering for Nam to get out of Jolon. :-)

When did you spend time in Paso Robles?

Paso has grown very quickly in the past ten years. The wine industry
has mostly taken over from ranching and dry farming. There has been
national press describing the Paso Robles area as the next Napa. (not
that that is a good thing) Paso is about to surpass SLO town as the
biggest city in the county.

I live in Mudhole, aka, Atascadero.

John H wrote:


Could be worse. You could live in Paso Robles. That would be bad!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

Thanks for the info. I think the price is pretty high, too. There
isn't any competition around here, so to a certain extent I am stuck.

I need a few other things done to the boat. It was never finished by
the builder. There are a couple pictures at

http://community.webshots.com/script...6297&r an=124

I'll upload more soon. I have dial-up at home. ;-(

The deck is multiple layers of marine ply topped with 1/2" mahogany and
alaskan yellow cedar. All were bedded in expoy. The woodwork is
excellent. There is a layer of glass over the wood, and multiple
layers of Z-Spar varnish on that. The boat will live in my garage
except when it is taken out to play. It looks like an old
Century/Chris-Craft runabout, except for the white hull. I wanted a
unique boat and I got one. I have the seats that were ordered for the
boat. The frames for the back seat are already in place. The front
bucket seats were never mounted and I haven't decided if I want boxes
or posts. No controls or instruments were ever installed. The dash is
a big slab of mahogany with a layer of glass. There is a built in 27
gallon fuel tank. The aluminum post is a ski pole that is likely too
short, so I'll need an extension for it. The holes for the deck
hardware were drilled and filled with epoxy. I have the cleats, but
not the chocks. I also got a teleflex steering box, the cable, a
steering wheel, and a roll of marine carpet with the boat. It isn't
far from being done. All I have to do is apply a generous amount of
money. ;-)

" wrote in message
ps.com...

I am in the market for a 2005 Suzuki DF140 with a 25" shaft.


The 140 4-stroke Johnson Outboard is the same as a Suzuki 4-stroke 140 and
may be priced less and have more servicing dealers than Suzuk doesi.



I live in California, so a four-stroke is the only way to go as I plan
to use the boat for many years. California is becoming very restrictive
in what type of motor can be use on fresh water.



California regulates the output emissions from an outboard, not the type of
outboard. I understand that the Lake Tahoe patrol boats use the 2-stroke DFI
Evinrudes because they have fewer total emissions than an equivalent
4-stroke outboard.

Bill Grannis
service manager