1972 65hp Rude Is It worth the trouble?

[RJDAWSON]

Just looked at a 72 65hp rude. The push button control unit is a mess. No side plates key switch busted, toggle switch gone, don't know where the other wires go, but the motor and body hardly looks used. Alot of parts look to be "unavailable." I have searched this collection of threads on repair but would like a review of this Electromatic type of unit. Is it worth getting into.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1972 65hp Rude Is It worth the trouble?

Uhhhhh no

If the shift solenoids are bad .....you don't even want to try to buy them. Mostly NLA and if you can find them.....wow are they allot of money

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1972 65hp Rude Is It worth the trouble?

I used to own the same motor (as well as the 50hp), and it's a great outboard. My 65 ate it's gears up after several years of use, but the 50 I had just wouldn't die. If your 65 is running, and shifts like it's supposed to - then I'd go ahead and try a new (well, used) control box. You can buy a new/used lower unit for them if you look carefully (see here), but be careful ... you can quickly spend more money than the engine is worth (and $500 is pretty close to the edge).

I've got an electric shift now on my sterndrive, and I'm not terribly afraid of finding parts for it just yet. You do have to do a reasonable amount of looking though - and know how risky you can afford to be.

If your motor is not running well/at all - I completely agree with Bob. Part it out on CL or eBay and move up a decade or so to the Evinrude/Johnson 70HP - great O/B's.