1990 150 hp force info/quality?

[silveraire]

Friend of mine is looking at a 1991 trophy with a 1990 5 cyl. 150hp force. The motor is in amazing shape with only 247 hours on it. It was just serviced by a mechanic and has been given a good bill of health. He has asked me for info on the outboard, but I know very little about force engines other than the bad press you hear about them on the boating forums. So I will ask the pro's here? Stay away? Run away? Or is this an ok motor. Any good, bad, or ugly is apreciated.

thanks,
chad

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

There was a time when I might have said "go for it."

But I think that time has passed.

Force ceased production in 1999.
Mercury has stopped factory support of the Force line.
While most parts are available at this time, finding a mechanic that is willing to work on one is getting difficult, both because of age, brand, and inexperience with them.

The 150 was only made for a handful of years.
Was kind of a bugger to tune I have been told.

They also performed poorly when put up against other 150 motors.

If the price was cheap enough, maybe.
But a replacement 150 will be expensive, if needed.

A 30 minute sea trial is a must, with the boat loaded with the normal use load.

 

[Justinde]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

Depends what he is looking for. I am more than happy with my 1988/125. never had a problem getting parts. Frank just bought another 150 to work on. The reputation that precedes them is unwarrented. They are as dependable as any other outboard of the same vintage, if looked after. OK, they might not shape up against another branded 150, as the force was 150 rated at the head, and most others are prop rated. If you are going racing, then by all means, go with another make. If you are going fishing/skiing/family leisure, it wil more than suffice, assuming that it has good compression ( do a check) and good spark. It's something that the mariner may not work on, but having been on this forum for about 12 months or so, I do everything myself, when i get stuck, I ask. Who needs to pay a mechanic who has no clue anyway?

 

[Justinde]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

Oh, and change the lower unit oil and waterpump/impeller as first priority....

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

Justinde, with all respect, A 150 is not a 125.
Also, the 150 was rated at the prop, as it was the industry standard by then. (another rumor perpetuated) Actual loss from crank to prop is only a couple 3%.
Which is actually quite meaning less, in that another industry hp rating standard is +/- 10% to allow for manufacturing variabilities.


silveraire, if your friend is not a tinkerer or mechanic, is not willing to invest in repair manuals and spend the time learning and doing his own maintenance and repairs, then he should not buy it.


Have your friend click the link and read the threads.
http://forums.iboats.com/search.php?searchid=2800871

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

+1 roscoe

 

[Justinde]

Re: 1990 150 hp force info/quality?

OK- given that I may have given incorrect info RE: HP rating- maybe they were overstated? either way, I stand by what I said. I think I back up what you said- if he has the time and inclination to do some DIY "It's something that the mariner may not work on, but having been on this forum for about 12 months or so, I do everything myself, when i get stuck, I ask. Who needs to pay a mechanic who has no clue anyway? " and he isnt racing it, and the compression is good- why not?