Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

[Garrr]

Hi! I am hoping some of the knowledgeable contributers to these forums can help put my mind at ease. I am buying my first boat, a 24 foot used pontoon. I have it narrowed down to 2. One is a 1997 Crest Savanah with a 1997 Johnson 90 2 stroke with 189 hours on the hour meter. The second is a 2005 Bentley with a 60 hp Mercury "big foot" 4 stroke. The newer boat is $3,000 more than the other. I am favoring the older boat not only for the price differential but I just like the way Crest boats are constructed and this one appears to be in very good shape. What I don't know is how much I should worry about a 10 year old engine with 189 hours on it? What is the "life span" of a 2 stroke motor? Is it worth it to have a mechanic check the engine out or if it starts easily and runs good should that indicate all is probably ok? Lastly, what is the best maintenance schedule for a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke motor. We live in an area where winters are mild enough the boat will stay in the lake all the time. Thanks for helping a rookie!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

A properly maintained 40 or 50 year old engine with 189 hours is just about broken in and should last for another 50.

By all means have a mechanic check it out. If there are problems best find them out before your money jumps from your pocket to the sellers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

189 hours is nothing, there is far less maintainance, with a 2 cycle, than a 4 cycle. 2 cycle there are no oil changes, that there are in a 4 stroke. and if the boats in the water, how do you change the oil. i have a 1988 90 that's like brand new. super engine. yes, have a certified mech check it out. with both engine they need to come out 1 time a year to change the lower unit oil, preferable in the fall before the 1st freeze.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

2 strokes rule in my opinion. Less moving parts, less maintenance and that great smell of 2 stroke when you first fire it up. I have a V4 140hp 1985 Johnson and it still runs like a dream with minimum care and effort. Boy have i missed that 2 stroke smell over the winter here !!!! going into the water and dock on Saturday morning. I can hardly wait !!!!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

fully agree with solittle ........ hey kenny enjoy ...winter is here for us ...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

fully agree with solittle ........ hey kenny enjoy ...winter is here for us ...

Winter sucks !!!! How bad is winter over there ????

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

winter here is not so bad, it does not snow here (luckily) ..... well our winter is like summer in the UK .... but for me it is cold, I get cold very quickly ... it will never go colder than 9 degrees celsius (48.2 farenheit) - or however you spell that ......

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

winter here is not so bad, it does not snow here (luckily) ..... well our winter is like summer in the UK .... but for me it is cold, I get cold very quickly ... it will never go colder than 9 degrees celsius (48.2 farenheit) - or however you spell that ......

Well I was born in England and lived there for 30 years before moving to Canada. English summers are usually awful (or were when I was there) and that is why so many English people head for France and Spain for their summer vacation.
So your lakes are always "liquid" then. Sounds great !!! no waiting for the ice to melt after winter is over !!!!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

yeah the water never freezes, so we can boat during the winter, but for us it is cold, and the water is really cold to ski or wakeboard ..... I race in the winter though ....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

you spelled it right, and i agree 48 is cold, but your winter is better than Florida's, we do get about 12 days of freezing nights and cold days. we were 28 Easter Sunday, high of 40.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

you spelled it right, and i agree 48 is cold, but your winter is better than Florida's, we do get about 12 days of freezing nights and cold days. we were 28 Easter Sunday, high of 40.

Practically tropical compared to us way up north !!!! Mind you, I live in the bannana belt of Canada. Those por folk way up north have it real cold !!!!

 

[edzzed]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

whatever boat you buy, check the leg oil before the water test and after. i viewed alot of o/b on ebay and asked every seller who's motor i was interested in if the leg oil was good. not one seller would answer the question or post my questions for all to see. we bought a new 9.9 yamaha in the end..... Ed

 

[Garrr]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

Thanks to all who responded! Ed, what is "leg oil" and why is it's condition important? I want to know what I am asking about. Also can someone outline annual maintenance required on a two stroke versus 4 stroke?
Thanks!!!

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

Leg Oil Is the lower unit gear lube.Should be changed at least once a year.
before the winter season.
Basic 4 stroke maintenance oil and filter changes don't know interval,Lower unit lube change,at least once a year depending on hours.Possibly valve adjustments. Don't know the interval,Over time will need timing belt change.
Basic 2 stroke maintenance Change lower unit lube at least once a year.
Change plugs once a year.An occasional decarb (gas treatment to remove any carbon buildup in motor) depending on amount and type of use.I've been boating for almost 60 years and never done a decarb.
Both motors will require certain yearly routine inspection ,lube of linkages and moving parts. Replacement of impeller every 2 to 5 years.

 

[edzzed]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

leg oil is the oil that lubes the prop shaft and gears that would be under the waterline when the engine is running. takes but a few drops of water to get in there and mess up the oil. less maintenance involved on a two stroke vs. 4 stroke. same issues below the waterline.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

that's why i said it will need to come out every fall the change the lower oil. also a good time to pressure wash the hull.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

glad you bought a yamaha ......

 

[vess]

Re: Need some expert advice on first boat purchase!

Garrr, just for some perspective on age of motors- I have a 1961 Johnson 75 HP, and it still runs great. Horrible on gas, as that vintage was, but it still runs fine. I do the usual maintenance along with the occasional seal replacement, but it still has all the original parts. I will keep it until it dies, but it really requires little maintenance, as everyone else here already stated. Have it checked out thoroughly before buying, and keep learning how to maintain it here and you will be fine.