60/40 jet: Mercury vs. Yamaha ... BIG question

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Imbit

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Mar 1, 2025
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Upper Delaware, PA
Hi guys - I'm about to pull the trigger on a 16' Sea Ark tunnel jet 1652, without pods ... dealer is pushing me towards the far more expensive Yamaha. I've read the new Yamaha's have a slightly smaller impeller and may not provide the performance the Merc will. Does anybody have first hand experience with these two engines ? I'm well aware the 60/40 isn't going to be a hotrod either way, but I really do need to get the one that performs best under heavy load (me & my buddy are each well over 200lbs). Also, just a fyi ... I know alot of folks will recommend I upgrade to a 90/65, but I have reasons for not doing that, so any intel on the 60/40 would be massively appreciated - thx !!

PS - if anybody has any experience with how the 1652 compares to the slightly wider 1660 with the same 60/40 engine, I would love to hear from you on that as well (I have a very narrow single car garage and I would have a far easier time getting the 1652 into the garage.
 
Do you have a link to the specific boat/model? Sounds like it is designed for a jet, just wanted to see if they moved the console forward for better weight distribution.

We have been running a 17’ G3 with a Yamaha 90/65 and have been very happy. I do see a few 16’ers with 60/40s. I see more with Mercury, but wouldn’t put much on that.

The Merc 60hp has been around quite a while, not sure why the dealer would push for the 60 Yamaha. I assume they are a servicing dealer for both. What reason did they give? These days, it seems like all the boat mfg lock in with one brand, so surprised they offered both.
 
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