[macojoe]

I have had 3 Yamaha now 2 carb and my new to me 4 stroke

The first one was a 175 and a great motor!! The issue was the trim motor rotting and the shift rod, it was a 1989 and the shift rod was fixed after 1994
I also had a power pack go bad but thats it

The 2nd was a 150 Yamaha 1994 that i bought and it came with heat issues and i never kept it, but if I had today and knew what i know now i bet i could have fixed it.

I have nothing to say about the 4 stroke as I have had it ine season and man what a machine!!

All makes have had and will always have some problems! Ask 100 people and get 100 opinions!

Parts can be $$$ and if you are not handy you are going to pay a guy $$$ to maintain!
Get a book and ask questions here or on other sites and you be surprised how easy most fixes can be.
I have had Mers, OMC, Yamaha and they all have had there problems

Good Luck!