about to buy boat with evinrude 90

[JPBMW325]

hello this is my first post and i must say this forum is awesome, no one is as judgmental and rude as i have witnessed in my other car forums. boating must truly relieve stress... anyways to my question. im looking at my first boat and im really thinking of an outboard that i will be using mostly for tubing/wake boarding. mostly because i want to maintain it myself and i know it will be easier. i have about a 5000 cdn budget and i have found a 1990 16.5 ft silverline ss with a 90hp evinrude that is said to be between 10 and 15 years old. my only concern is the owner said that he has never changed anything besides the spark plugs and oil.....what about the impeller and others? could the engine be a dangerous purchase? hes asking 4500 but i want to get it down to 3500. my other options are the same age (1989-1994) boats with mercury outboards but i dont like the actual boats as much. am i looking for trouble with this motor?

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: about to buy boat with johnson 90

Re: about to buy boat with johnson 90

Before I bought that boat I would ask him if you or someone you know that is mechanical that could do a compression test and make sure the numbers are no more than 10% between each other. If that checks out drain some lower leg unit oil to see if there is water, big chunks of metal, and if that checks out see if the he is willing to take you out on the water for a test drive to see how it is working and if all checks out provide an offer to him to buy it. Also, if he doesn't know when the last time the water pump impellar has been changed do it now, change the lower unit gear oil, rebuild the carbs with new kits, change out the spark plugs, lube up the grease fittins both on the boat and the trailer, laod test the baterry to make sure it is good, can be done free at Auto Zone, O'Reilly Auto parts. Let us know if you buy it or not, Bob

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

The only thing I would add to what bob said is that the compression numbers should be 110 psi or better. Outboards do run well with lower numbers but 110 psi or higher is better. And all the cylinders should be within 10% of each other.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

100 psi is ok, 110 is better. below 100 get a professional opinion.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

Itsaboattime,
Yes, I forgot to add that part of the compression test. Yes, 100 PSI or better.

Take care, Bob

 

[JPBMW325]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

thanks guys!

 

[JPBMW325]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

now i am being told it is hard to start up at the start of the season every year? is this normal or is it signs of a problem. maybe i should check the carbs?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: about to buy boat with evinrude 90

if it were not properly winterized, it is normal. the carbs can varnish up.

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.


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.