F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Hey all,

Recent joiner but long time rib (ribcraft 6.8, Suzuki 200) owner.

My old man has just recently bought the 395 vanguard and thinks he will get a 20hp.

The choice is either new merc efi or Suzuki 20. The price difference is 2-300 quid in merc favour but I'm seeing people saying the Suzuki is better engine with no reasons given?

Thought best to say hello and ask the experts for thoughts

I have the Suzuki and I have used the Mercury / Mariner as @harrison has one.

The key points which lead me to spend the extra pennies on the Suzuki were:

• The Suzuki is significantly lighter than the Mercury.

• The Suzuki works better with the Honwave as it is just a smidge longer in the leg

• The Suzuki is easier to start. The Mercury needs a really good pull, even when warm, whereas the Suzuki will start with a fraction of a pull

On the other hand I love the tiller on the Mercury - really love it - as I change hand depending on how many people are in the boat. I tiller with my right when I have passengers and my left when I am on my own.

They are both superb engines but I think the Suzuki is worth the extra money.

Thanks for that info.

Can I double check, the merc is practically the same weight as the Suzuki ( within 1kg) so long as it is the latest EFI model according to specs? The carb model is 51.5kg for merc and mariner so perhaps that is what you are thinking of?

So I guess the trade off isn't weight so much as pull start preference and tiller?

Hi dubsrus and welcome.

We ran a Suzi DF20 efi for three years from 2013 when they first came out and currently have one of the new efi Mariner 20’s. Both great motors but do like the look of the Merc/Mariner’s with their ‘edgy‘ hood design.

Power and economy wise nothing between any of them to be honest. However, compared to the Merc/Mariners then the Suzi is at least 3.5kg lighter, much easier to start (less physical pull required to energise the battery less efi system) and it has a lovely growl at full pelt. Another advantage for some is the large AV plate and lower leg profile seem better at limiting ventilation and splash on hulls susceptible to this.

The long fully adjustable fancy tillers on the Merc/Mariners are superb in use and isolate vibration extremely well. Unfortunately they probably account for most the extra weight and being centrally mounted can hinder access to the carry handle. A nice touch is the small inbuilt fuel/water separator under the hood.

Despite Mercury’s advertising blurb the short shaft, manual start tiller models are plated at 47.5kg. At running weight, with oils and prop, ours comes in at a tad under 49kg.

Reliability wise the Merc’s are a bit too new to tell, but at the moment nothing to suggest otherwise.

As said before, both great motors and having owned both, would say the Suzuki is still king....just. Amazing really, when you think it took the opposition over five years to catch up and bring out an efi model.

While I remember - one other advantage if the mercury is that it can be transported on its back (prop down) rather than just on its side. This can really help if you are loading it into a medium Or small car.

Thank both.

Looks like it will be the zuke 20 then.

Transport is fine, we both have 4x4s so no worries there

hi and welcome , is you forum name dubs r us , if it is which dub have you got?

Good choice - but have a look at the Tohatsu 20 efi, lightest of the bunch (only just!) just as frugal on fuel and a 7 yr warranty

The tohatsu is the same as the merc and mariner. (Tohatsu make their engines)

So I assume the Suzuki is still lighter. Not too bothered about warranty as no way will be paying 250 quid ish for services 7 years down the road. (It is about 200 now)

Re the dub....mk2 golf, name just stuck.

Warrantee wise - I will pay for the first couple of years on my Suzuki then I intend to service it myself.