Couple of Questions - early / mid 90s Force, 125hp

[noshelter]

The Force isn't bad, but it has given me starting issues and is sluggish coming out of the hole. It should be able to rip the skiers arms off, but it's slow getting out towing someone. It runs fine at WOT, revs properly, but starting and the hole shot need some work. Thinking of replacing it, but if I can pinpoint the problem, would like to fix it. Any suggestions? I went and cleaned the poles from the battery, both ends, checked spark plugs. That's about as far as my "engine knowledge" goes.

Also, I have this engine on an 18' Maxum bowrider, the boat is rated for 125hp. What's the biggest sized engine, horsepower wise that I could replace the Force with? Say, 130, 150, 225?

Thanks for your help guys and girls, this site is unreal.


SSS

 

[roscoe]

Re: Couple of Questions - early / mid 90s Force, 125hp

If the boat is rated for 125 hp, thats as large as you should go.
It may actually be illegal to go high.
It is here in Wisconsin.

If your motor is a 125 hp, it is from the 80's.
Starting in 1990, they made a 120 hp.
Post the model number if possible.

Really hard to guess what the problem is, without a bit more info and some troubleshooting.

You say the motor revs properly. What are the wide open throttle (wot) rpm's ?
A compression check is also in order.


Motor may need some carb work.
Could be the prop is the wrong pitch.
Or the motor is not mounted at the correct height.
Or the motor is not trimmed properly.
Or the boat is just too darn heavy.
The floatation foam could also be waterlogged.

That boat is about 1550#, plus motor, battery, fuel, gear, passengers.
2400-2700# is a lot of weight for a 125 hp to push.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Couple of Questions - early / mid 90s Force, 125hp

My 88 125 is a pig out the hole too...blub, blub, blub until it cleans up and then flys. Nature of the beast? I live with it.

 

[noshelter]

Re: Couple of Questions - early / mid 90s Force, 125hp

Thanks for the replies guys! Looking at my post, it's a little general.

This is my problem. When starting at any point, cold or after a run, I will turn the key and it will crank, I see the starter piston (?) pop up and crank the flywheel. But it's the actual "spark" that doesn't go as soon as I think it should. After a good run, it should turn over almost instantly. I can understand being cold. But this is a consistent problem hot or cold. Where I have to crank and crank and crank, choke, high rev, etc until it finally fires. It does eventually fire, but after a few minutes worth of cranking. Which shouldn't be the case after it's been warmed up and run at WOT. BTW - I usually WOT at 45-5000RPM, and it runs like a dream at this.

I've checked the battery, charged it, cleaned the poles like I mentioned, battery leads, etc. I noticed a bit of an improvement. But not to the point where I'm comfortable stopping and starting all day when skiing. I'm afraid of burning out the starter also, not to mention draining the battery from over-cranking.

As for out of the hole, I'm not sure of the weight of the boat, but yeah, I'd say it's pretty heavy. I just figured a 125hp should be able to get a person up and out of the water pretty easily. I've seen it done with a 115hp no problem, but that was a smaller boat (17' to my 18').

Also, any suggestions as to how high HP-sized engine I could go with this boat? I know this really isn't the forum, but I've been looking at a 130hp Honda and a 225 Mercury. Any thoughts?

Any things I can look at, or suggestions in regards to both these issues? I can pass the information along to my mechanic if need be.

Thanks again!



Scott

 

[roscoe]

Re: Couple of Questions - early / mid 90s Force, 125hp

Yes, the engine should re-fire instantly after being run.
It should start within 15-25 seconds even when cold.
Does the starter seem to be turning the engine fast enough?

Does the starter turn the engine fast enough to start it?
More likely a carb problem, needing rebuild and adjustment.


A 225 is WAY too much motor.
A 130 is enough.

What is the condition of the transom and stringers in the hull?
Any water saturation, wood rot, or cracks?

Your boat is just heavy.
There are 18 footers that weigh 1600# fully loaded.
Then there is yours, 1550# empty, about 2500# loaded.

Just going from the Force, to a properly setup and tuned 130 hp, could be like night and day.