It was finally time to think about replacing my current outboard engine. I’d had the Johnson 6hp 2 stroke outboard motor for a couple of years now and it had served me well during that time. In fact, it only failed to start once during that period, which, considering it hadn’t been serviced whilst in my ownership was quite impressive. Looking at the market it was clear that a 4 stroke was the choice for my next purchase. I’d got to the point where mixing oil with the fuel had become cumbersome and trying to remember which canisters were mixed, which weren’t and was it 50:1 or 100:1 fuel oil mix? The benefits of 4 stroke seemed too good to pass up. Having already purchased a 3.5hp Mercury in the past and currently owning a Yamaha 2.5hp 4 stroke I was already aware of some of the benefits including quieter running and better fuel efficiency.
Time for an afternoon on Google to see what’s available. The plan was to search out a suitable 9.9hp 4 stroke. Looking at the second-hand prices I didn’t see the point of buying second hand when you could buy new for just a few hundred pounds more. In fact, I was quite amazed that the second-hand ones sell for those crazy prices. Second-hand examples are currently being listed for £1200 to £1300 with no warranty whereas brand new ones are available for £1600 or so with full 3 or 5 year warranty. Looking at the 9.9hp models by Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki and the Honda (10hp), I was keen to compare the weight of each, not just price seeing I would be lifting this engine on and off the boat every outing. The prices I found here were on-line in the UK in the month of April 2016. Obviously my choice was made based on the figures here and as you would expect, prices fluctuate so a different month may have resulted in a different purchase.
Yamaha 9.9 hp Price £1600 Weight 39KG
Mercury 9.9 hp Price £1908 Weight 38KG
Suzuki 9.9 hp Price £2028 Weight 39.5KG
Honda 10 hp Price £1917 Weight 42KG
This was my thought process when deciding. Looking at the weights, the Honda was a little too heavy and as for the prices, the Suzuki was a bit too pricey in comparison. I’m sure the Suzuki and Honda are fantastic motors but didn’t suit my requirements on this occasion. That left 2 contenders, the Mercury and the Yamaha. I eventually decided on the Yamaha 9.9, firstly there was a Yamaha promotion running offering 20 per cent off the list price and secondly, it had a rather clever flushing pipe which would mean no more starting the engine to flush it out. I can simply attach a garden hose and flush the system without starting it. That should please the neighbours as there’ll be no more starting of engines late into the evening after a day out on the boat. You could argue that the other 3 motors have longer warranties so can justify the extra cost but for me, that isn’t an issue as I never keep a motor for more than a few years anyway. With the outboard now ordered I just had to wait on its arrival.
2 days later and the Yamaha 9.9 outboard has now arrived. With the outboard unpacked the first task was to add the oil. It arrived empty as this was removed after the initial PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) by the supplier. Now filled, it was time for its first startup. Here is the unboxing and first start-up video:
The video below is of the Yamaha 9.9 outboard running in a tank about to start the 1st hour running-in period.
There is a running-in process to follow. 1st hour run at varying speeds up to half throttle, 2nd hour varying speeds but avoiding full throttle then the next 8 hours run at any speed but avoid using full throttle for more than 5 minutes at a time. After that run as normal. I decided to do the first hour of the running period in a tank of water keeping it mostly on quarter throttle in forward gear then every now and again reducing and increasing the revs but not exceeding half throttle as per the running in instructions.
Yamaha 9.9 Outboard Motor Specs:
Yamaha F9.9JMHS
Engine Type Two-Cylinder
Displacement 212 cc (12.9 ci)
Bore x Stroke F9.9 – 56 x 43mm | 2.20 x 1.70in T9.9 – 56 x 42mm | 2.20 x 1.69in
Prop Shaft Horsepower 9.9hp @ 5500rpm
Compression Ratio 9.46:1
Fuel Induction SOHC
Exhaust Through Propeller
Intake Carburetor
Ignition CDI Micro Computer
Spark Plug BR6HS-10
Alternator Output 6 Amp (requires optional rectifier/regulator)
Starting System M = Manual | E = Electric
Lubrication Wet Sump
Engine Oil Capacity 0.8L (0.85 qt)
Full Throttle RPM Range 5000 ~ 6000 rpm
Cooling Water/Thermostatic Control
Recommended Engine Oil Yamalube® 4M (See owner’s manual)
Recommended Fuel Regular Unleaded (Minimum Pump Octane 87)
Recommended Fuel Filtration Yamaha Mini 10-Micron Fuel/Water Separating Filter (external)
Ethanol Blend Limit 10% Maximum
Gear Ratio (27:13) 2.08:1
Gear Shift Forward, Neutral, Reverse
Shaft Length S=15″ L=20″ X=25″
Degree of Tilt 71°
Degree of Trim 4 positions
C.A.R.B. Rating 3-Star
Dry Weight F9.9SMHB = 39kg (87lbs) F9.9LMHB = 40kg (89 lbs) F9.9LEB = 42kg (93lbs)
Steering Angle (maximum) F9.9 – 43° from the center, either direction T9.9 – 38° from the center, either direction
Warranty 3 Year Limited Pleasure Boat – 1 Year Limited Commercial
Yamaha Outboards: https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/
Our first outing using the Yamaha 9.9 outboard motor: https://stufishing.com/running-yamaha-9…4-strokeoutboard/
Whats that weight like to carry and fit to the back of the boat ?
Regards
Phil
Hi Phil,
For me it’s a bit on the heavy side. So I suppose it depends how strong you are. It’s 43KG and I struggle with it sometimes. It’s the main reason why I will be downgrading to a 6hp (23-25KG) this year or next. With a 6 it probably won’t plane so won’t be particularly fast but I don’t need much speed for what I do.
Regards
Stuart
Where did you buy the engine from? Thinking of buying one myself for the right price
Hi David,
I bought this engine from Seamark Nunn. Yamaha were doing a 20 percent discount at the time. Not sure what they are going for now though.
Regards Stuart
You need tof put videos of oIL changing and more about motor . YaMaha don’t have any videos. I found you in YouTube. Please put more videos
Thanks
Hi Dany, yes good idea. When they are due for servicing I’ll make a video.
Regards Stuart