Advice on outboard needed

[terrysandlin]

I need advice from Evinrude owners on whether I am being too restrictive in my bias toward Evinrude/Johnson engines. I am looking for a used bass boat and have been prioritizing Johnyrude engines. I am most interested in a typically (no guarantees) reliable freshwater outboard in the 40/50 hp to 90 hp range which is not too complicated to do reasonable repairs. My budget for the boat and outboard is in the 3,000 ? 5,000 range and an older less expensive boat without water logged foam and wood would be desirable. What brands and years of different makes are considered reliable if they have good compression? Note: I want to avoid Force (Chrysler) and FITCH (Evinrude) engines.

I have been biased toward Evinrude because I fixed up 9.5 and 25 hp outboard for a tinny boat. I found parts available (even NAPA). With an original shop manual and this forum?s help it was not that difficult. (I now have two more I will fix up. I seem to be collecting them.)

I really appreciate the time people take to respond to this 70 yr. old who has not been using a boat for over 45 years. Your advice to get original shop manuals is the best time and money saving recommendation. THANKS!

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

Id go for evinjohnn anyday as i find for starters parts a cheaper.
I wouldnt get one pre 1978, id check you got one with a powerpack as they are easier to work on and i find them more reliable.

Mercury has a bit older style ignition on its earlier motors which i dont like and a really expensive to replace.
Keep away from suzuki and honda, they have pressed on bearings so are a fortune to replace

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

Be sure you take the boat for a long test drive too, it may run excellent on muffs but be a stumbling mess on the water

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

It's been my experience that parts availability (new, used and aftermarket) cant be beat by any other brands.
I'm not a Merc basher by any means but I've found that with them a lot of parts are NLA on motors more than 10 or 15 years old.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

I have nothing agaist Mercs and there are plenty used one available locally. OMC's are just much easier for me to work on and find parts. Very seldom do I see used Yamaha's or Honda's locally.

 

[terrysandlin]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

Thanks for the advice. I seem to remember that sometime in the past I saw a list desirable outboards by a "Supreme Mariner" or "Fleet Admiral" level member. I just can't find it.
I also am wondering if I ought to move this to another forum "Non-Repair" topics. If I should, please tell me. I want to follow the guidelines of this excellent site.
I want to consider late 80's outboards up to more recent. Most often I see what might be desirable boats but they have Mercury Engines.
Should I consider these if they are really clean? Also what is the opinion on Tohatso/Nissan motors?

Thanks

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Advice on outboard needed

I am an OMC man at heart, but have some of the 80s/90s vintage mercs as well. Nothing wrong with them, they will have the same issues the OMCS have. Whichever motor you choose, go over it, talk to the owner, see what type of maintainance program he followed, test compression, and take her for a rip. Just because they run well on muffs doesn't mean they will run well on the water.