2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

[stingfish]

hi,<br /><br />does anyone own this motor or had any expierence w/ this motor over the years?<br /><br />i am looking for input on performance, realibility, and quality. please share your thoughts, i am new to this community, and boating. this motor comes with a boat i am interested in and I would like to find out as much as i can about this motor before i consider buying my first boat.<br /><br />the boat is 19' 7" CC, and in my price range/budget. i would like to use it for cruising, fishing inshore and a few miles offshore and maybe pulling an occasional skier. i am concerned b/c the motor does not have a warrenty and although looks in great condition the hrs are unknown, so therefore if i were to purchase, i would be relying on the brand, make, and hopefully solid technology of this motor but have not had much luck finding details on the www.<br /><br />if you have owned this motor, worked with this motor, or have a friend who has one, please share your knowledge on it.<br /><br />thanks so much.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

The 90s and 115s are wonderful motors. The early 150s and 175s are time bombs. That 115 is not in the latter category at all. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. You can learn a lot from a printout regarding engine history including total hours and where they were spent. Any dealer with Ficht software and a computer can provide that. Ask for one.<br /><br />One thing that gives me pause is the year. Along about then, OMC was operating in a kind of limbo (bankruptcy and change of ownership) and some motors were pieced together, sort of a mix-and-match kinda thing. I wouldn't guarantee that all components are top quality. Parts were limited, and some marginally acceptable parts that otherwise would've been dumpstered may have been used.

 

[noelm]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

HI<br /> Got a pair of 115 on my boat with heaps of trouble free hours on them I would buy one in a flash if it checks out OK after normal pre purchase checks, a dealer can tell you lots of history on the motor including total hours etc.

 

[stingfish]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

thank you all for your input and advise.<br /><br />noelm mentions ..."a dealer can tell you lots of history on the motor including total hours etc." <br /><br />the sales rep stated he was unsure of the hrs. before purchase, if they do not tell me the # of hrs on this motor, do you think they may have it documented somewhere OR the pre check mechanic may be able to tell by looking at the comouter? <br /><br />i hear these engines have somesort of chipset or computer on them, is that true and if so does that chipset read hrs?

 

[noelm]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

yes the motor does indeed have a "computer" it is the engine management system and stores total hours, errors and codes, time spent at what revs and some other stuff as well, all can be an indicator of how the motor was treated, but I guess, not be all and end all info to purchase the motor, but the 115 ficht was a very reliable and long lasting engine if serviced regularly.

 

[stingfish]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

Thank you all for the valuable input. I would like to also ask…. Is this motor considered a “Salt Water Engine”<br /><br />For example, I noticed most modern Evinrude motors seem to be color coded. IE saltwater motors are white freshwater motors are Black.<br /><br />This motor I am referring to in this thread topic is black. I am planning on using this motor in mostly salt water and hoping that this engine is built for salt water. Can anyone confirm this model/year make of Evinrude is built and will last in salt water?

 

[noelm]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

Simple answer, no problem with use in salt

 

[pg_redfish]

Re: 2001 Evinrude 115 Ficht - newbie boater needs vets advise

Thank you all for the valuable input. I would like to also ask…. Is this motor considered a “Salt Water Engine”<br /><br />For example, I noticed most modern Evinrude motors seem to be color coded. IE saltwater motors are white freshwater motors are Black.<br /><br />This motor I am referring to in this thread topic is black. I am planning on using this motor in mostly salt water and hoping that this engine is built for salt water. Can anyone confirm this model/year make of Evinrude is built and will last in salt water?

I own a 2000 Ficht and I have over 1200 saltwater hours on it. I flush it at least once a year whether it needs it or not. I'm not kidding. If anything open the hood and spray it heavily w/ CRC or Boeshield and keep it covered from the sun. Its been a great motor. As far as the other horsepower fichts...I have a friend w/ a '99 ficht 150hp...no problems. They started w/ a couple problems and did poor job handling it. If its still running now...you've got a good one. Oh...most important...run either "carbon guard" or Yamaha's "ring free". A MUST!!!