No tiller handle available for 90hp merc 4 stroke?

[Mr B]

I was just at the St. Paul MN Sportsmen Show looking into buying
a 1800 Pro V with a 90hp Merc 4 stroke tiller. 2 dealers indicated they could not get the 90hp Merc 4 stroke in a tiller?
They said Merc was working on it since the tiller handle they came out with last year had some major problems. They thought Merc would have it fixed by September 2000, but they still haven't heard a thing. Anyone out there heard about this problem? Anyone have a 90hp 4 stroke tiller from last year with tiller handle problems? I guess the motor is fine, its just the handle.
If I can't get the 4 stroke, I might go with the 2 stroke.
How does the 2 stroker handle the 1800?

[Fred_G]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-11-01 AT 02:19PM (CST)[p]Merc makes a tiller handle kit for the 75 & 90 hp 4 strokes. The part number is 816366A30. Fred

[Grampa_Joe]

True, but it doesn't fit.

-Joe

[Wrangler3]

Fred is correct with the part number and it does fit the 90 four stroke. I have installed them on that engine.

[BC]

I currently run a 2000 1800 pro v with a 2000 90 hp two stroke. I was going to get a 4 stroke for this boat, but ran into the same problems as you. Wrangler3 got me the part # for the tiller handle for the 4 stroke, so I am going to look at getting this setup for this year, - wave of the future. As for the two stroke, I have had no problems with it. I get approx. 32 - 37 mph. out of it depending on gear, amount of fuel in tank etc. - GPS read. I don't get there as fast as some of the big boys, but when it comes to finesse fishing in a good chop, it is second to none. I can use my electric transom motor, or if it gets too windy I use my 90 to backtroll to keep on the fish, when others cannot. It is a pretty good package - storage, room, etc. Hope this helps. Let me know how you make out.
BC

[fishinfool]

wouldn't hurt to look at the 2001 Suzuki they have a fantastic 90EFI 4 Stroke with a tiller handle. And it has a 6 YEAR WARRENTY fish on

[Grampa_Joe]

No kidding? The dealer I work with has a 90 4 stroke sitting on the rack that was supposed to go on a Ranger 690 Tiller. They had a tech from Merc come to the shop and he said the same thing. You're right, it doesn't fit.
If you have some specifics, I'm sure they'd love to know how to do it.

-Joe Carlson

[Skunked Again!]

The old (two stroke) kit will not fit - the new (four stroke) kit released in late December 2000 will fit. At the same show you mentioned, there was a 90 H.P. Mercury 4 stroke Tiller on display. It was in the Pro Sporting Goods booth. It was on the back of a Warrior 1890 Backtroller. The part number is the correct one (there was no previous 4 stroke kit). This handle was designed specifically for the 75 + 90 Mercury 4 strokes. It will not fit their other motors (including the 115 H.P. 4 stroke). 4 strokes are quieter, usually more fuel effecient, and have less emmissions. The down side to them is more weight, faster idling for trolling, weaker hole shot, mid range and top end, in addition to costing considerably more. My advice is to try one out before you buy one.

[Big Tiller]

I agree - the 4-Strokes as primary motors are overrated.

Why would anyone want lesser hole shot, slower top end speed, faster idle, 83 lbs. more weight,virtually no additional fuel economy, 100 hour oil changes, and an engine that will be obsolete in three years when direct injection is put in these 3 cylinder motors?

The only advantage of a 4-stroke as primary power is the noise level and lower emisions.

The 90 Classic 2-stroke Merc is the back troller of choice. This 3 cylinder motor does idle a little rough, but is about 5 mph faster on identical boats. And the 83 lbs. less weight means less water coming over the transom as you back troll. The money you save (should be about $2200)will buy 300 gallons worth of gas to put in the tow vehicle.

The real deal is when Mercury comes out with a direct injection 75 and 90 hp motor, and keeps the weight about 300 lbs. or less.