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I in the market for a 13 SS-
should I power her with a 30ho Mec EFI or a Yamaha
20hp 4 stroke. Boat will basically be for me
And my 5 yr old ( his first whaler)
I would go with the Merc. 30 ---- have one on a 16' Carolina Skiff. Also, that motor is made for Merc. by Tohatsu. You can probably find the Tohatsu version for a little less money.
The Mercury 30 EFI 4-stroke is manufactured by a Joint Venture design and manufacturing operation between Mercury and Tohatsu, in a jointly owned facility. Tohatsu takes part of the production and markets the engines as theirs, and Mercury takes part of the production and markets them as Mercs. I understand the 25 and 30's are primarily designed by the Mercury side, and the smaller ones primarily by the Tohatsu side. It seems like a great deal for both companies, and the engines seem to be very popular big sellers.
Mercury does not sell any of their production to other brands, but Tohatsu sells part of their allotment to Nissan and lately, to Evinrude, 15 HP and below.
Even the Tohatsu's are now painted black, probably a production savings to do all output in one color.
Across the line, the Mercury's have different cowls than the Tohatsus.
As mentioned, the Mercury's command slightly higher selling prices than the Tohatsus or Nissans, and probably much better resale value also.
In my opinion, 20 HP is not enough for all around use in a 13' Whaler. I would go with the 30 Mercury.
