Honda vs. Zuke

[B-Faithful]

I have a sea trial on my boat next week. I need to start at least thinking motors in case she moves. My options are 225 Honda, 250zuke or maybe even the 300zuke as that is what Judge is a dealer to. I was leaning zuke until I started searching various forums only to observe that there appears to be more problems with zukes than the other 4 strokes. This concerns me because I think there are probably less of them on transoms than other brands. I will say that the Honda info is pretty good but there seems to be even less of them on transoms. I am also wondering if it has enough gitty up on a 27 Judge. I know some you all have zukes and are pleased. Given the choices i stated where would you go. Would the zuke 300 make the boat troll to fast for stripers if i can afford to go that route?

 

[B-Faithful]

I spoke to Judge today as I had to answer a few questions about my boat and found out that the 250zuke and 225 Honda are the same price. teh 300 zuke is like 3000 more for dual stations due to the cost of the motor and electronic controls. my decision will be between the 250zuke and 225 Honda as the 300 zuke wouldnt be worth that much more to me.

Who knows I am probably premature on this.

Greg

 

[Megabyte]

250 Zuke or 250 Yamaha.
or...
Bring in a couple of new accounts and go for the 300 Zuke.

You know that is the one you want anyway...

 

[captbone]

Get it bare and have it rigged with twin 225hp DTS Optimaxs

If the choice was between the Honda and Suzuki, I would say Honda all the way. There are 700+ USCG 25ft safeboats with twin 225hp Hondas that have only two speeds, idle or WFO. These engines see 2000+ hours a year in these applications. It is literially Millions of hours in the past 5 years just by the USCG on these engines. Not to mention the Billions of miles on the V6 block (Honda Odassy) that the engine is based off of. This engine is bullet proof!

The biggest problem with both of these engines is the lack of the dealers and lack of getting parts. I have "heard" of part shortages with the Suzukis but these are just rubblings around the docks.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[MaxOut]

250 Zuke or 250 Yamaha.
or...
Bring in a couple of new accounts and go for the 300 Zuke.

You know that is the one you want anyway...

Go with the 300 Zuke. I know it is allot more money but if you don't get it you will regret it. Besides it's not a big difference when you look at the entire price. The electric controls are better than the manual ones and you will be happier. I have never had a boat with too much motor but have owned plenty with not enough... :wink: I have blown pass my buddy in his 27 Judge many times (he has the 225 Honda) and he wishes he had another option when he purchased his. Just my two cents it's your money. As far as trolling there is lots of ways to slow the boat down if needed and the larger prop on the 300 Zuke with give you nice performance navigating around piers.

 

[B-Faithful]

Thanks for the feedback fellas. i am strongly leaning towards a 250 zuke. But will think a little harder about the 300 zuke and if the money is worth it. I do have the DTS on my OptiMax and love it.

Captbone, I had thought about offering my boat with a new zuke or honda and having my OptiMax moved over to Judge. However with the cost of adding dual electronic controls and having it set up and rigged by a certified merc dealer to keep the warranties, it would be a losing proposition. I do really like my Opti.