As new as they get

[tj3775]

Matter of fact...smell deeply enough and you can still smell the baby food (lol) when it comes to boats

I bought me after years of wanting one, a used 17ft fishing boat. Nothing wild, just a little boat with a 50 hp Johnson 2 stroke (Could be a 75 but not sure, I could check it out though). Anyway 2 questions (really easy ones)

(1) The guy I bought it from just replaced the impeller and had it tuned up. He says that when he's putting it on the trailer, he will disconnect the fuel line and let it run out of gas before he gets it out of the water. While I don't mind doing that, is there a better way? Some sorta additive? What type of oil is the best for this motor? It seems to run rather well (and to me, if I get in and it starts and doenst leave me stuck on the lake, that's good enough for me) for everything I want to do (such as drowning some crickets and worms)

(2) When I tried to put it in reverse, the motor wants to tip up. He told me that you have to 'ease' it in reverse, which makes sence to me. Is there a lock down mechanism or something? (remember this is my first try with a boat). I thought I was being easy when I put it in reverse but perhaps I was not.

Anyway, thanks for any help you can give. I truly apperciate it

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: As new as they get

add seafoam to your fuel, according to the direction on the can, (auto parts store), actually on that motor disconnecting is not good. there should be a lock down when going to reverse. what is the model # on the motor. should be on the transom bracket or on a welch plug (freeze plug on the block). also shifting should be a deliberate act, not an easing into gear. you do not want to listen to the gears mesh. slowly shifting can cause damage to the lower unit gears. i have had many 50 hp johnnyrudes.

 

[5150abf]

Re: As new as they get

There is a better way,,, don't do it, totally unnecessary unless you are ready to store it for the winter, there is no reason to run the engine dry and as TD said it really isn't good for the engine.

Flipping up in reverse is normal, there should be a lever on the left side (passengers side) of the motor mount that flips up or down and it will lock it down but I leave mine unlocked just in case I hit something in the water so unless you need to go fast in reverse I would leave that alone.
Enjoy your new boat.

 

[tj3775]

Re: As new as they get

Thanks for the quick responces guys. I will check on the model # for you

As for oil, what kind is recommended? any particular brand? Synth or regular?

 

[Benny1963]

Re: As new as they get

depend on the year of the 50 as far as the lower gear oil gos
any good two stroke oil will do synthetic helps a little with the smoke
bennyb

 

[5150abf]

Re: As new as they get

I change mine about 3 times a year, good way to keep an eye out for leaks and cheap insurance so I go with what ever you can find at Wally world, it is all rebranded brand name stuff anyhow as walmart doesn't actually make anything.

As long as it is LOWER UNIT OIL, not regular 80-90, the lower unit lube has additives to deal with water intrusion.

If you were running a high horse bass boat and did long full throttle runs maybe synthetic but for a 50-70 probly expensive overkill.
My 2 pennies.

 

[jtexas]

Re: As new as they get

I use wallymart supertech tcw3 and gearlube both. 3x a year? I won't try to discourage you, but myself, I do it annually, before the first freeze - in case of water intrusion I don't want it cracking the gearcase.

 

[Chaz1]

Re: As new as they get

Whoa, whoa guys. A 50 hp Johnson is in the range of the hydro-electric shifts from back in the late '60s and early'70s. These lower units take a specific lube. It's a "type c" Premium blend lower unit oil. Nothing else should be used. It's made by Johnson and also by Lubrimatic. It can be found here in the Marine store under Maintenance Gear lube section. It will specifically say that it's a "type c" oil designed for the electric shift motors.

If your motor is from back in this era, you'll want to put the right oil in the lower unit. Lots of info on this sight. Be patient and you'll learn tons of info from many, many good people here.