1970s 85 hp Johnson fuel consumption?

[badeff]

Hello all<br /><br />I'm staying for some time in Venice, Italy, and have been looking around for a boat to buy. I've been offered a 1976 Glastron 4-seat boat with a Johnson 85 hp engine. It is a 4-cylinder, 2-stroke, V-shaped engine - probably from the same year. <br /><br />The overall price seems pretty good - some 1'300 US - and everything seems to be well-maintained, but I'm a bit worried about the amount of gas and oil this beast will consume. Can someone give a rough idea of what to expect in terms of running costs for this engine?<br /><br />I'm an absolute beginner in boating, so any advice is more than welcome.<br /><br />Thanks in advance:<br /><br />Boris

 

[JB]

Re: 1970s 85 hp Johnson fuel consumption?

Hello, Boris.<br /><br />Welcome to the board.<br /><br />I am going to move this to the Outboard Engines Forum. I think you will get better response there.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1970s 85 hp Johnson fuel consumption?

Living in Venice.... That motor could immediately fall off the transom & I'd still say you had it made. <br /><br />That motor's a good, solid design. Very understressed, and more powerful than the "85hp" suggests - Johnson pulled 135hp out of virtually the same motor (85 hp from 93 cubic inches, 135hp from 99 cubic inches). That said, a lot depends on the condition of that particular example & how it's been treated over the years. <br /><br />Run fast - say pulling a skier - it'll burn through a 6 gallon tank in about an hour and a half. Your major costs, though, will be any unforeseen mechanical problems that pop up. If it's not guaranteed, or from a trusted friend, you might consider having a mechanic look at it.

 

[badeff]

Re: 1970s 85 hp Johnson fuel consumption?

Thanks a lot captain!<br /><br />I really needed some unbiased info - yours falls somewhere in between the owner's claim, who'd say it burnt 8-10 gallons in a whole day ride, and another guy saying double for a two-hour promenade... (and he is obviously trying to sell me another boat with a 25hp engine<br /><br />Venice - well, even if I strike a deal, all the paperwork and permits will take just enough time to leave me some three-four weeks to enjoy boating in the city and the lagoon. Then it's gonna be time to leave and take the boat away to the Black Sea. But I just cannot resist, looking at all those chaps happily riding around the canals.<br /><br />BTW, do you think it's a good idea to take such a 16-ft boat - it's a Glastron V-162 Futura - to the sea? Is it more of a lake boat, or is it OK for shoreline rides in the sea as well? Not much waves in the Black Sea, but it's still the sea.<br /><br />Saluti:<br /><br />Boris