Choosing a Used Merc/Mariner 60-90hp

Jake_MN

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
106
Hi there,
I tried doing some searches on this topic but the results didn't get me anywhere.

I currently run a 16 foot Sea Nymph aluminum with a 1992 40hp Mariner Magnum. Used almost exclusively for fishing with a little pleasure cruising thrown in (all freshwater). Great boat. Motor pushes it very well. I'm very happy with the setup and do most of the maintenance myself.

My daughter is just about to turn 6 and my wife would like to start taking more boat trips and add some waterskiing/tubing to the mix. So I will start looking to upgrade to a wider-beamed 17 foot aluminum boat with a larger motor for more space and the ability to tow a tuber/skiier.

What I'd like to do is select the motor and the boat separately and mount the motor myself, which is what I did with my current rig.

So, to finally get to the point...I'm looking for a Merc/Mariner in the 60-90hp range. What I'd like to pick up is something that has a reputation for reliability, has decent parts availability, and can be worked on by a guy like me, which basically means I'd like most repair/maintenance tasks to be doable without the use of a electronic diagnostic machine. If any of you have any recommedations of year/models to seek out/avoid I would love to hear your input. Thanks very much for your time.
 

fin-bender

Recruit
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
5
Re: Choosing a Used Merc/Mariner 60-90hp

I'm somewhat new to boating, but even I think that pulling a skier with a 17 foot "wide-beamed" boat with a 60hp engine is going to be a bit difficult. Maybe a 90, but a 60? think bigger.
 

Jake_MN

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
106
Re: Choosing a Used Merc/Mariner 60-90hp

Shouldn't be much of an issue. I've been skiing my entire life and learned behind a 16ft fiberglass Rinker with a 55 horse Evinrude. That worked well until I hit about 120 lbs or so. You'd have difficulty pulling a large man out of the water, or anyone slalom for that matter. But this would be for a 8-13 year old child.
 

Mi duckdown

Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,575
Re: Choosing a Used Merc/Mariner 60-90hp

That boat and motor that you have right now should be good to go. Heck I pulled small kids skiing, and tubes behind a 16 foot sea nymph with a 25 merc tiller
 
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