1997 115HP Ocean Runner

H.M.S.

Cadet
Joined
Jan 27, 2009
Messages
18
Hey guys,

in my continued search for a first fun boat I'm now looking at an 18' Kenner bay boat with a Johnson 115 Ocean Runner....
I'd appreciate top tips and a brief review of the unit, I'm arranging for a mechanic to check it out......

Cheers
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1997 115HP Ocean Runner

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: 1997 115HP Ocean Runner

HMS, That motor should be a loop charged, 60 degree V4 design. They did make some old design 90 degree V4 loopers, but I think the Ocean Runners were the newer models. These are excellent motors, BTW.

They are a 4 carb setup with a 4 wire Oil Metering Systems (OMS) Oil injection. Make sure you test the overheat sensor (one on each head), the low oil sensor in the oil tank, and the no oil sensor at the OMS pump, for proper operation.
 
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