Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

[JasonJ]

I Know I know, the Merc smokes the 'rude...but seriously, I would like to know from those who have had practical experience or knowledge of each, and how they compare to each other. I'm talking weight, fuel economy, reliability, power etc. The reason I ask is I am looking for another project hull, and I will want to keep which ever is the better bet and sell the other one with the boat that I will sell. <br /><br />I am quite fond of my Merc, but I am intrigued by the 'rude. The 'rude seems a lot simpler, ignition all self contained under the flywheel as opposed to the external distro on the Merc. I am not sure which one is lighter, but I am suspecting the 'rude may be lighter. So hard to tell without actual numbers. I would like to hear from those who have had the 'rude 115 hp, I am guessing there are a lot more people out there that had the 'rude than a 69 Merc 1250. I just don't see the Merc 1250 around, but I see a billion V4 OMCs.<br /><br />My primary purpose is a reliable motor to power a fishing boat at a good cruising speed with acceptable economy. I can't imagine a V4 'rude gets worse economy than an inline 6 Merc, but you never know. Thanks for any thoughts....

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

sixes should in theory be slightly better on fuel than a 4. Mainly because it is easier to tune the exhaust over a broader RPM range in a six than it is in a 4. The difference is slight

 

[lark2004]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

Ok, I havn't had experiance with either, BUT, I think you observation speaks volumes, You have seen lots of V4 OMC motors, still running, but you don't see the Merc's, <br /><br />Why is that? <br /><br />Are the Mercs all dead? <br /><br />The OMC motors obviously aren't!<br /><br />If the Merc's aren't around, then how hard is it to get spare parts?<br /><br />There is a huge supply of parts for the OMC/Johnnyrude V4's<br /><br />Maybe Dhadley can chime in with figures about the V4's

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

There were more Johnrudes sold than Mercs during the 50s and 60s. Why, I don't understand, Mercs were far ahead engineering wise. After Charlie Strang left Mercury and joined OMC did the OMC engines catch up

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

Lark, its not that I don't see Mercs, I see quite a few of them, it is my particular model I rarely see. Maybe it is because it was only made in 68 and 69, don't know. I am fairly sure the Merc is only slightly larger displacement-wise (Merc 99 ci, 'rude 97 ci?). One hideous thing is the cost of the powerpack for the 'rude, over $300, but I did find them on Ebay for $235, similar to the cost of the Merc powerpac. The powerpac on the 'rude is new, as well as the coil and stator. The PO gave up on it because they couldn't quite get it running right, but also admitted they didn't know much about 2 strokes. They bought a 130 hp Honda and said "to heck with it". I paid nothing for this motor, it was a freebee, so I am ahead of the powercurve.

 

[Lakebiker1st]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

JasonJ, Lark2004,<br />I just visited your sites. You guys are amazing.

 

[pwiseman]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

Great work on the restore! I have done two restores on small boats, but nothing in that class. Amazing what you learn when you tear stuff apart and put it back together. I have much to learn. Someday I want to build a cedar strip canoe.

 

[saxis]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

Cedar canoe's are fun to build. My friend and I built 4 of them in high school, and it took the first two and some tips from an experienced builder to get it down good. Followed a 16' plan on the first one, modified the plan to 12.5' on the second (very custom canoe for myself), used a completely different plan for the 14' third, and our original 16' plan on the fourth. By the last one, we were using a couple mahogany strips along the side for some absolutely gorgeous color contrast. Also learned to tongue & grove every stip!! It will save you DAYS of frustration.

 

[Twidget]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

This is a little off the mark HP wise, but comparing a '67 950 Merc to a '72 85 Evinrude, I preferred the 'Rude. I may be swayed by the fact all my family has ever owned were OMC, with the exception of the 950 I had.<br /><br />The 950 won out in top end, but the 85 seemed to have quite a bit more torque for holeshot. It just seemed to take the I6 a little longer to wind up then the V4. They are both great motors, just seemed to have different priorities on performance.<br /><br />I never had a problem with either, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide.

 

[DJ]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

I believe the '69' Rude is electric shift. That would stop me right there. The tide would be turned if the Rude was a post '72'.<br /><br />I'm no Merc. fan, but am a smaller fan of the electro shifts.<br /><br />The Rude will pull better than the Merc. Fuel economy about the same.

 

[McGR]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

I'm basically an OMC fan. However, as DJ stated the '69 - '72s are somewhat less desireable due to the electric shift. Though, I've heard some say these units weren't all that bad a design, just that parts are now somewhat scarce. The igniton system on those years of OMCs was somewhat suspect too. Nonetheless, if you have the motor already, and you are willing to learn its quirks and stay on top of it, you can still have a reasonably reliable motor. I can't speak for the Merc., though I always thought the tower of power 6's were pretty cool motors.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

I'll put a little work into getting it running, and decide from there. If nothing else, I have some bartering material at least.

 

[tr918]

Re: Comparing a 69 Evinrude 115 hp with a 69 Merc 125 hp

The electric shifts run quite well and will take care of you if they are maintained properly. I never had any issues with my lower unit. Only issue I ever had was in the remote control shift switch. If one does go bad the L/U parts are expensive and fairly difficult to find (not impossible though)