New to boating - Merc, Evinrude, Honda or Yamaha?

[St. Lawrence River Guy]

Looking at a new boat this spring.  Most of the boats I'm looking at are all in the same price point with the same options.  The biggest difference is the engine.  Some swear by Mercury, while others tell me they prefer Yamaha.

Most of the info I've received on Iceshanty has been spot on over the years so I thought I'd try my luck here.

[Mac Attack]

I have owned over 12 boats over the past 35+ years.
Here are my thoughts (YMMV) -

I will NOT buy anything these days that is not a 4-stroke.
Although the Etec is a very good motor - still, it's 4-stroke for me.
Honda is great, but they cost the most.
Yamaha is a VERY close 2nd to Honda.
Merc comes up next and is what I currently have on my new Lund Rebel XL 1650.
(Almost regret I didn't pony up with the cash and go with the Honda - but my new kicker I am having installed this week is a Honda)

Merc is louder that a Honda or Yamaha for sure.
But Mercs are also lighter, and less money.

My personal preference is Yamaha 4-strokes.
I know a LOT of people with them and they never have problems.
And they are very quiet.
My buddy starts his at the dock, does a few things, and then forgets it's running because you can't hear it and goes and hits the key again all the time.
They are quiet!!
There is a reason that you see them all over the place up north at remote Canadian Fishing Lodges and Resorts.

Good luck.

[St. Lawrence River Guy]

Thanks that's a ton of info and it made me revisit the idea of owning a yamaha.  The local dealer is 1/2 mile from my house so that's a huge plus, but they are pricey.

Anyone have any experience with the Lowe 175?  Seems geared toward walleye which isn't really my fish but I've heard they handle the chop okay.  There's a 2013 leftover in the area that seems competitively priced.

[Mac Attack]

One more thing.
Max out the HP.
If the boat is rated to 90hp, do it!
It'sd always cheaper to do it in the beginning than later.

I'm guilty of not doing this on a lot of my boats, including my new Lund.
And I have always regreted it.
Always.

I'm still booting my tail on the Lund I bought last year.
It will handle up to 90hp and I put on a 60hp.
It does 34-35 easily.
But there's times when............you know.