New F70LA or F60LB?

[Stevek369]

Aside from the 10HP difference, what are the differences? I can buy a new F60LB for $6600 or an F70LA for $7070. Unless the F60 has better features/stats, it may be worth the extra 10HP for less than $500. My current RIB can take up to a 70HP, but it is a little old. I plan to move the motor to a new boat in a year or two - if that matters.

Thanks,
Steve

[pstephens46]

Weight difference between the two?

Bought my boat used and wish the original buyer had opted for the max hp of 200. Is has an F150. But then again, the F200 V6 at the time weighed over 100lbs more. I think the torque would have tipped the scale....

[pstephens46]

Roughly 8lbs difference based on what I see on Yam site. That would be easy for me....more hp generally rides better. Just like cars....

[Stevek369]

Thanks pstephens46.

My biggest concern is the "B" generation versus the "A" generation. The newest F60LB is the second generation of the F60, while the newest F70LA is still in its 1st generation. Is the F60LB made differently than the F70LA.

With only an 8lb difference (and less than $500 more), I really like the F70. I just want to make sure there are no significant technology differences (such as correcting a problem found in the 1st generation model???).

I will be ordering one of those engines this week.

Cheers,
Steve

[pstephens46]

Maybe Boscoe or Rodbolt can weigh in on any changes that Yamaha may have made.

[boscoe99]

For me the nod would go to the F70LA. It has been out for a number of years with no model change. Must be a good design or they would have changed it. Not so with the F60LA that became an LB for some reason.

At $6600 for the F60 you are paying $110 per HP. Ten more HP would normally be $1100 but you are saying you can get the F70 for just $500 more.

When owning/using the F70 I doubt that you will ever lament that you don't have $500 more in your bank account that you would have if the F60 was purchased. But if you have the F60 your might lament that you don't have 10 more HP. Has happened to me all too often in my life that I did not first buy what I knew I should buy, only to have to buy it later at much more expense.

I try to stay away from Harbor Freight and to visit the Snap On truck. It hurts just a bit to pay the higher price but then I never having to lament owning and using crap tools. I soon forget the pain of the higher price paid and then am left with the joy of owning a quality tool.

[99yam40]

no one I ever knew said anything about paying too much for tools they used to make a living or for just taking care of the things they own.
Maybe it was just pride,

but I own some snap on equipment that I still use from the 70s like timing light and compression gauge.

hard to think some of this stuff still works,

[pstephens46]

Maybe not always true....I would rather have an F300 than an F350 based on others experience. As Boscoe says "just saying".

[throrope]

Unless I' wrong, that 70 hp is the most recent generation in that line and has the best power to weight ratio I've seen in a new mid range outboard. I'm hoping Yamaha bumps it to 90 and supercedes current offering.

IMHO power to weight very important for older boats since emission regs made all outboards much heavier. Another forum has many experiencing proposing and manufacturers are recommending trim tabs. I'm thinking both are due to heavier outboards shifting center of gravity to the rear and boat design has not kept up.

I bought a new to us cherry boat with 90 hp two stroke before understanding differences. No regrets, but had to do again I'd go 115 for the same boat since same power four strokes are 100+lbs heavier on the stern.

[boscoe99]

Certainly anyone repowering from a two stroke to a four stroke needs to be mindful of the added weight. If the new motor is X pounds heavier than the old motor then maybe put X pounds of sand bags on the transom to see how it sits.

Now if any weight (batteries/gas tanks/etc.) can be moved forward that can be done to offset any aft CG problem, if there is one.

[Stevek369]

Certainly anyone repowering from a two stroke to a four stroke needs to be mindful of the added weight. If the new motor is X pounds heavier than the old motor then maybe put X pounds of sand bags on the transom to see how it sits.

Now if any weight (batteries/gas tanks/etc.) can be moved forward that can be done to offset any aft CG problem, if there is one.

That's exactly what I did with some scuba soft weights. It didn't even sink 1/4 inch. With the new fuel efficient 70HP, I don't plan to carry the 6-gal aux tank in the back either. That alone should offset any increased weight. I'll throw a 5 gal tank in the bow compartment if necessary.

Thanks for all the pointers/suggestions/opinions. I'm going with the 70HP.

Cheers,
Steve