G3 Boats?

[Quillback]

Kjackson, aren't you in Eureka Springs? If so, here's a dealer in MO that is probably as close to you as going to Rogers, they are a G3 and Yamaha dealer. I have no idea about this dealer's service reputation.

http://www.fishingworld.com/vDealers/MO/TriLakesMarineSales/

[kjackson]

Yes, Quill, we live in Eureka Springs, so I'm not stuck in the Rogers, etc. area by any means. And thanks for the lead on the Spokane dealer (we once lived in the other Spokane, the real one); there's even one of the boats I was thinking about in stock. It would be good to get a report on the quality of the dealership before I buy, though--not that I'm that close.

In regards to the four-stroke/two-stroke controversy, I ran an F50 Yammie prop for eight years on an Alumaweld vee-sled and loved the motor. I never had problems with it, used it for mooching and trolling for salmon and really appreciated the quiet, lack of smoke and fuel economy. It trolled really slow--don't recall just how slow at the moment, but it was slow enough that I didn't use my six-hp kicker that much. Of course, that kicker (Yamaha four-stroke as well) was a bugger to start for some reason. The 50 was a gem. My current 50-hp Yamaha is a two-stroke, and while I don't have any real complaints, it is not as slow at trolling as the F50. Plus it does use more gas, not a lot, though, and burns oil.

Right now, all boat brands are on the table, so advice is still wanted. I'm even looking at decent used hulls to save some bucks, and if I found the right one, I might even re-power if it makes sense.

[Ricochet15]

I bought a G3 from TriLakes Marine in November. They worked with me really well, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. Were always helpful and answered any questions or concerns I had. Went above and beyond what I expected from a dealer. Haven't had to get any big service done so I can't comment on that part of it. PM me if you have any questions about them.

[Guest]

"Your warranty is only as good as the dealership that sold you the boat"

In my dad's case, He bought the G3 from Waymack on a weekday.

Waymack closed the doors that Friday.

It was wrong for them to do such and thing and not tell the customer before hand.

Now, Dad has to deal with Brads Boats in Alma to get his service work done.

They are great people and treated my old man fairly even though they didn't sell him the boat.

Everything has been fixed now and he's back on the water.

They told us that Hook Line and Sinker in Rogers is going to open a Skeeter/Yamaha/G3 dealership on their lot.

I think its a work in progress.

At least, there will be a dealership to replace Waymack's Marine when people need service.

[fishinwrench]

Why specifically do you say to avoid 4 strokes?

I didn't say that "everyone should", just that I would personally.

I work on outboards for a living and eventually 4-strokes of all makes end up with a "condition" that neither I nor anyone I have met to date can honestly rectify (reasonably).

You'll develop a full understanding of what I'm talking about in a few more years (or less), I promise.

Meanwhile thousands upon thousands of 10+ year old 2-strokes are churning water with as much vigor as they did when brand new, and when they have an issue their owners are usually back on the water in 3 days max. And they aren't burning enough extra fuel in a days fishing to even bother discussing.

4 strokes are quieter.....yep, ya got me there. It's amazing how quiet they are, especially when they are setting at your local "authorized service center" for a month or more while the techs beat their heads against the wall until finally a salesman steps in and convinces you to "trade up".

The tech then breathes a big sigh of relief, slaps on your new powerplant and ships the hopeless POS to Semmes, Alabama where it is reduced to components and 50% of it is resold as reman parts.

[jeb]

I respect your experience, but am not worried in the least. The motor series I have is the same one used in so many commercial and offshore boats, and those guys punish those motors day in and day out, yet seem to have little to no problems with them. I very rarely go wide open, or anything close to it, keep up on all my maint and believe this motor will last at least as long as any 2 stroke I've owned. I've never met anyone with a Yamaha 4 stroke in this series of motors that has a bad thing to say about them. The SHO has had some teething issues, though.

Fuel mileage is worth talking about, IMO, and it was a big part of my decision. In the performance bulletins the manufacturers put out, this series of 4 strokes is much more fuel efficient than the Vmax. According to the bulletins for my boat/motor, at 3000rpm, which I cruise at quite a bit, my motor is 20% more fuel efficient than the 200 VMax that I had them pull off to put my 225F on. When you add that to the no buying 2 stroke deal, the running costs will be cosiderably decreased over the life of the motor. I have to change the oil every 100 hours, but the total cost of that is easily less than 2 gallons of 2 stroke oil.

Not putting down the 2 strokes at all. They are great options, too. I just don't think anyone should be scared of buying a Yamaha 4 stroke.

[minnowhooker]

I didn't say that "everyone should", just that I would personally.

I work on outboards for a living and eventually 4-strokes of all makes end up with a "condition" that neither I nor anyone I have met to date can honestly rectify (reasonably).

You'll develop a full understanding of what I'm talking about in a few more years (or less), I promise.

Meanwhile thousands upon thousands of 10+ year old 2-strokes are churning water with as much vigor as they did when brand new, and when they have an issue their owners are usually back on the water in 3 days max. And they aren't burning enough extra fuel in a days fishing to even bother discussing.

4 strokes are quieter.....yep, ya got me there. It's amazing how quiet they are, especially when they are setting at your local "authorized service center" for a month or more while the techs beat their heads against the wall until finally a salesman steps in and convinces you to "trade up".

The tech then breathes a big sigh of relief, slaps on your new powerplant and ships the hopeless POS to Semmes, Alabama where it is reduced to components and 50% of it is resold as reman parts.

So spill it whats the issue.....I've heard of some making oil I think that's what it's called if you troll alot with it but I've also heard of 1000hrs motors with no issues other than regular maintenance.

[fishinwrench]

It appears that once the valve train experiences some normal & expected wear they can't be "brought out of it" for a reasonable cost.

Nobody can ever afford to rebuild a 4S powerhead though, so I don't know if I can successfully do one or not.

Yes, "making oil" (raw fuel getting into the crankcase) is very common, and it is a very time consuming/expensive repair....that is not worth doing because soon afterwards you will probably start having valve train wear issues again.

Because of the emmision demands the tolerances for smooth operation are just too unforgiving.

I'm not gonna sit here and further bash 4-stroke outboards, if you are the type that trades up to a fresh rig every 5 years, is anal about maintenance, and never buys used then it's likely you'll be happy forever.

[fishinwrench]

Here's the situation I run into most often:

4S comes in...."won't start, or starts and immediately dies".

Usually a fuel pressure issue....600.00 +/- P&L

Motor is back in the shop way too soon afterwards...."hard to start and down on power, lousy throttle response".

Gonna take a lot of money to fix it RIGHT.

Customer unhappy, feels like he got shafted by a shadetree idiot (understandable) and bounces back and forth between 2nd, 3rd, maybe 4th opinions until FINALLY he trades boats or gets sold a fresh outboard.

Customer never comes back to my shop....because I was the first one to give him the unpleasant news.

I like happy satisfied customers, and 2 strokes make that possible long term.

[minnowhooker]

Thanks for the reply, I have a 4S I hope it and the boat are the last I'll need......no issues yet with about 290hrs.

I do maintain my own stuff but nothing more than the book calls for. Is the gas issue common for just one brand or a bugaboo in all?

Knock on wood that doesn't become a problem but I appreciate the info.