Corpusfishing.com

Johninaustin · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 1109

My 2006 Honda is getting pretty long in the tooth and I want to upgrade to fuel injected anyway, so I was looking around Austin dealerships for a new engine. 50-60 HP on a 16' skiff.

I'm flexible on manufacturer, but none of the dealerships seem to be interested in making a sale, most won't even return calls. I figure dragging the boat down to Corpus is a better idea. Any suggestions as to a dealer?

Rxfire · Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 4:09 pm Post subject:

Bernie's Boats and Motors, Victoria

ask for Dennis (owner)

https://www.berniesboats.com/
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TexasJim · Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 5:22 pm Post subject:

Second the Bernie's recommendation. I bought a lightly used Yamaha 15 from one of their customers. He'd bought too small an engine and was buying a 25 from them. His dad brought it to Bernie's, laying on the wrong side. They clamped it on a Jon boat, pulled the plugs, purged the oil out of the cylinders, got it running. They backed the boat into their on-site tiny boat ramp, full of water, and test ran it for me. They put it in my truck, transferred the warranty to me, and didn't charge me one cent! Of course, I bought some spares and oil. Fantastic service. They're one of the highest-rated Yamaha dealers in the nation. I buy my parts and spares in Victoria!
Don't want a Yamaha? Coastal Marine in Rockport is a dealer for Honda and Tohatsu. One of my neighbors bought a Tohatsu 60 for his Whaler 15. They adapted his Johnson controls to the Tohatsu, rigged it out to his satisfaction.
If I hadn't bought the Yamaha 15, I would have bought a Tohatsu from them.

YMMV, but my two (minor)interactions with these two dealers were very positive. Hopefully, it was the norm. I like firms that act like they want and appreciate your business. TexasJim
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BayFly · Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2024 4:24 pm Post subject:

I'll third the encouragement to Bernie's. After spending substantial time researching Yamaha dealers I learned Bernie's was one of the few Yamaha dealers authorized to sell individual Yamahas, otherwise dealers are only authorized to sell boat/motor packages. I'm very mechanically inclined, thus researched the variuos aspects of the engine I wanted and of all the dealers I spoke with Bernie's (Dennis) was the most thoroughly informed of all of them.
They may carry other engines today, but my dealings with them was in 2007.
Bernie was the original owner and Dennis is his son and grew up learning outboards, and especially shallow water performance rigs. He has even designed and manufactured his own hull, which may still be produced.

roberino · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 9:16 am Post subject:

For Austin i'd recommend Action Marine. New Tohatsu 60hp is 200lbs, he sells them and often has some in stock. heard nothing but great things about Bernies if you tow it south

captfrankie · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2024 6:27 am Post subject: Bernies

Bernie's for the win. Dennis and his son Mark are outstanding. I've been dealing with them since I bought my Desperado in 2013. Repowered once. Excellent service.
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