'89 Bass Buggy Pontoon repower

[Mechmagcn]

Well... Our old Johnson 60HP has served us well for 6 years. It was a used '89 model when I bought it and had many hours on it. Last year I babied it along, not wanting to idle and cutting out at speed. Weather is finally warm enough to start use the pontoon again, not going to mess with an old, worn out outboard this year.
My local dealers are either Yamaha or Tohatsu, I'm swinging towards the 40 or 50HP Tohatsu. We don't need the speed of the 60HP and really don't think it's necessary on an 18' Bass Buggy.
This is a daily commuter in fair weather, about 6-7 months of the year. What do you think of my choice? Opinions? Recommendations?

 

[ahicks]

Anything you like, as long as it's a 4 stroke!

 

[Mechmagcn]

Anything you like, as long as it's a 4 stroke!

Definitely gonna be a 4 stroke.

 

[Mechmagcn]

Just hurts my feelings to pay twice as much to repower this barge as what I gave for it 6 years ago.

 

[HotTommy]

I wasted lots of three summers in my old boat trying to get by with old engines. Eventually I gave up and bought a new 4-stroke for about twice what I had in the boat. I'm beginning my third season of problem free boating. That new engine was worth every penny.

 

[Mechmagcn]

I wasted lots of three summers in my old boat trying to get by with old engines.

My problem is this is a daily commuter, we live on the water.

 

[ahicks]

I like messin with the old stuff as long as there are parts available for them. It's a battle of the wills, them vs. mine! I will admit to a certain amount of frustration with one particular 40hp engine though. It would start perfectly time after time - unless I had company on board. Then it wouldn't even pop - until they left. Turned out to be erratic, weak power pack. Pretty much impossible to trouble shoot. Just had to wait long enough for it to tip it's hand. Once that was replaced, it ran perfectly!
Engine had already ticked me off though, was replaced the following season - with a 4 stroke. Now forever spoiled.....

 

[Mechmagcn]

I like messin with the old stuff as long as there are parts available for them.

Yep, love the old stuff myself, my daily driver is a 53 F100 that I built. Been driving it 11 years and am willing to take it anywhere. It has seen the east coast, west coast, gulf coast and as far north as the Arctic Circle in AK.

 

[Mechmagcn]

Well, I went with the 40HP Tohatsu. Boats at the dealer now getting it installed, supposed to pick it up Monday afternoon. I'll post results of the test run.

 

[5150abf]

Recently gave up on my trusty old '81 Evinrude 50 that had become less than trusty.

Went with a 50 Yamaha, felt bad for a minute but when you touch the key of the new engine and it starts right now every time you will get over it pretty quick...

Follow break in to the letter

 

[Mechmagcn]

I'll be glad to break it in, if I ever get it back. Shop forgot to order the correct prop at the time deal was done. Said it was ordered Friday, should be here today, nope. Now it's supposed to rain for the next five days, not sure when I'll get to run it.

 

[Mechmagcn]

Finally got the barge back from the dealer. So far, so good. Love the way the 4stroke is so much quieter, can listen to the radio and hold a normal conversation while underway. Haven't had it up to full throttle yet, trying to follow break-in procedure closely.

 

[Mechmagcn]

Loving this 4 stroke! I've put between 4 and 5 hours on it so far. Per break-in instructions I kept it below 3K rpms for the first two hours. After that 4K is allowed with occasional bursts of wot. This motor is amazing! Very quiet, sips fuel and pushes this pontoon as fast as the 60HP Johnson that was on here.

 

[MRS]

Glad you loving your new 4 stroke we just got a pontoon with a 90hp merc 4 stroke and cannot believe how quite and smooth it runs. Glad you made the right move should serve you well for a long time....

 

[Mechmagcn]

should serve you well for a long time....

I hope so since this is our daily commuter much of the year, plus quite a few hours on the weekend.

 

[ahicks]

Loving this 4 stroke! I've put between 4 and 5 hours on it so far. Per break-in instructions I kept it below 3K rpms for the first two hours. After that 4K is allowed with occasional bursts of wot. This motor is amazing! Very quiet, sips fuel and pushes this pontoon as fast as the 60HP Johnson that was on here.

Sounds a lot like there may be another 4 stroke convert in our midst.

You can brag them up all you like, but there is nothing like experiencing one first hand. People don't get it until that happens.

Congrats on the new engine. Best of luck with it! -Al

 

[Mechmagcn]

Sounds a lot like there may be another 4 stroke convert in our midst.

You can brag them up all you like, but there is nothing like experiencing one first hand. People don't get it until that happens.

Congrats on the new engine. Best of luck with it! -Al

Oh yeah, I'm a convert! Already looking forward to this one being paid off so that I can repower my small cab boat with the same motor.

 

[Groo]

I went from an old evenrude 28spl to a large lower unit suzuki df50av. It is incredible how much better it handles.