2010 Yamaha F70

[Jack680t]

Hi Folks, a message from the rapidly thawing north country - i plan on upgrading my yam 50 to the new 70 - BUT... with any new product there is an element of caution as i don't want to be a guinea pig for what looks like a great product - i think those Yamaha engineers are the greatest but the after sales service isn't that good around here - what to do.... what to do... if not cast the net and ask for recommendations and advice from fellow anglers
ps: my 4 year old Yam 50 has been the greatest outboard i've ever owned - but slow on the 680t
How about a pic of a local early winter beauty
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...1&d=1268076233

[1625rebel]

I have an F75 and love it too (VERY similar to F90). I was reading up a bit on the F70 when the announcement came out a few months ago. I would guess you're top end will improve quite a bit with 20 extra horses. But remember that the F70 shares the same block as the 60 and 50, so your holeshot & planing performance may be very similar to your current 50. Also it's a single cam engine with 4 valves per cylinder, not DOHC like a lot of the Yamaha's out there. Redline is 6300 RPM's I believe? If you're looking at a well balanced motor that puts out a great power to weight ratio, I don't think you can go wrong.

Is 70 hp the max rating on your 680t?

[Jack680t]

Tks for answering - glad you love your Yamaha like i do (it's a great fishin' buddy!) - been running a f50 for 4 years on 16 1/2 aluminium with good performance - sold the boat for ranger 680t (my dream for over 20 years - Lindner's fault)) - needs fixin but mostly done - upper gelcoat looks great after lots of work - Ranger much too heavy for a 50 with full load (3 batteries - 2 electrics and lots of tackle) ... so sold the 50 to buy 70
680t rated at 60 at birth and if today's high tech tillers had been around i'm sure it would have been rated higher (up to 115 probably with tiller assist) - a 70 at such a light weight should give me a comfortable cruising speed (30mph) with slightly better hole shot (they say) than a 60 with the same (or slower with the ranger) trolling speed (very important as you know)
My big worry is new model problems with unresponsive after sales service ( a problem here with parts B\O and difficult reps) - is that the Maytag syndrome? / Neverbreaks but when it does watch out!
Season opens first week of may here - best season to you... and thanks

[T Mac]

There will be nothing that hasn't been tested and proven in that new Yamaha.
It is the same block as the F-60 and F-50... which are out there in great numbers...fand or several model years.
(I have an F-60, myself)
They just tweaked more ponies out of it.
Go for it!

[1625rebel]

It is pretty amazing to get 70 horses in a 4 stroke weighing 260 lbs. Well into 2 stroke territory there. That's 109 lbs lighter than an F75.

From a reliability standpoint I wouldn't worry too much. Yamaha four strokes seem to be pretty bullet proof, provided you give them a proper breakin. I see they have an additional 3 years of Yamaha warranty to 2016, but only on select models and only until March 31st 2010. I didn't see the F70 on the list, but it wouldn't hurt to ask a dealer.

[no stick]

Although the specs say the displacement for the F-70 is the same as the F-50 and F-60, the F-70 weighs 23 lbs more. I wonder what the difference is; beefier lower unit maybe?

Ed

[Jack680t]

Well folks... i'm outa here this morning to put a deposit down on the 70 - don't let that prevent you from sending words of advice and encouragement - this will probably be my last large purchase ever as i head deep into the uncharted territory of retirement with lots of fishing planned if the ol' health holds out - i have a reputation in these here parts as a master rigger of fishing boats - if i see any interest in this subject i will keep this thread for it (or should i start another one)(i've been on computers for over 20 years but, incredibly, this is my first time working a forum - so there, more advice requested)
Great november fishing on the St-Lawrence river pic
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...attach/jpg.gif

[riverrat606]

i have a F90 tiller on my boat and its AWSOME!!!!! unbelievible...couldnt be happier

[Jack680t]

Hey Riverrat... my lifeblood also courses like a river - i, like you, thrive in current even though it often makes the fishing easier but the presentations more dynamic, so harder - just bought that new F70... arriving mid to late April and hoping to use that crazy smilie when i report on my experience with it this summer.
tks to all who responded up to now

I have the F75 on my 165 Alumacraft Navigator. I find the engine to be heavy. I had to put a 15 pitch prop to get the bow to plane quickly. The problem is my gas mpg is highm about 4.5 gallons at 22.8 mph.
I like the engine and have not had any problems.

The F75, I put the Titan Hydro Steer on the tiller handle. A good item to have for safety. Its just a little hard to get used to.

I am making the switch to the new F70 because the weight of the F75 is too much on the back of my transom. With the weight of the engine battery and myself totals 680 pounds. by switching to the F70 I will be reducing the weight off the transom 125 pounds. (taking in consideration the Titan ads weight too)

I have read reports that the 1 liter has better fuel savings, hole shot is .82 seconds slower and gives me a better top end speed of 34.5mph. That is almost 5 mph faster than the proped down F75. I found that the F70 has the same lower unit as the F75, head unit is 17% more powerful than a F60.

The F60 is the engine I wanted however got sold on the F75 and now that the F70 is out is going to be a blast to have on the water.

Part of decision to make the switch is gas prices. If gas goes up to $4 I will be saving $8 every hour running. I on the water for 5-7 hours a day. A total savings of $40-$56 a day on the water. If I take this boat out 15 times during the summer, I would have paid myself back 600 back in a summer.

If I had the Alumacraft Navigator 175 - the F75 weight ratio would be perfect. I just dont want a boat that big.