first time Force buyer

[trikefloats]

I am planning to buy a Force 85 hp mid 80's. Do they have some problems? I am divided between this engine and a Johnson same year, power and money. Your advice will be highly appreciated.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: first time Force buyer

I ran into the same scenario as you are in several years ago. I went with the Force engine and have not regretted it. If you can perform your own repairs and are reasonably knowledgeable about 2 stoke marine engines, I think that the Force engines may be cheaper to maintain and fix. The only draw back is parts. I get most of my parts via the WEB. Takes a little longer, but it's worth the wait. The engine itself is pretty simple. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[Dave K.]

Re: first time Force buyer

i have a '84, 85hp & am very pleased. runs great & pretty easy to maintain for a guy thats decent w/ mechanics from this era. one main point is: how was it maintained? if the motor has been takin' care of, & you take care of it, you will end up w/ a very dependable motor that will be pretty cost effective to maintain.

they have a bad reputation & a LOT of naysayers for whatever reason...not the case w/ the one i own. i put substantial hrs on the water & it has always got me home!!

 

[jim_b_20653]

Re: first time Force buyer

I have owned both and had good luck with both. If the price is the same I would choose the OMC motor. Parts are more readily available, more shops are willing to work on them, and most importantly the OMC motor will use less gas.

 

[pecheux]

Re: first time Force buyer

I presently own both OMC and Force. I personnaly would choose the OMC if the 2 motors are in the same good condition. Why ? Simply because it's no secret that the Force OB's are entry level motors therefore the OMC would be of higher manufacturing quality standards. I find that my 1997 Force is short of some cute options my 1981 Johnson has ... and is noisier ... But then .. it's your move ...

 

[JB]

Re: first time Force buyer

Given the choice between a nice running Yugo and a Ford or Chevy, which would you buy?

Try to find Force parts. They are there but you have to search and usually settle for used.

Try to find a competent shop to work on a Force.

Really a no brainer, TF, just like I told you on your duplicate post.

Please do not post duplicate posts again. They are not welcome.

 

[dst87mcssac]

Re: first time Force buyer

Hello,

I have a 97 Force 75 HP and I am tellinng you not to buy the Force. I have very little confidence that the motor will restart when I am out on the lake. Once it is started, I have 100% confidence that it will not shut off.

JMO.

Donald

 

[Shifflett115]

Re: first time Force buyer

i bought my first force last year ,a 1985 125 outboard ,i had to replace a cdi box last year and a piston this year due to LACK OF MAINTENANCE ,replace your impeller and thermostat every year and as long as you maintain your motor you should not have any problems,every outboard manufactuer has there problems,i think alot of people point at force because it was a cheaper motor price wise,not quality ,ill keep my force until i break it in two,i owned a evinrude last year and it almost everytime i went out the only way i got back in was being pulled behind another boat,the motor ended up going to the scrap yard because the crank broke in three peices ,so on that note i would buy the force ,(just my opinion)if force is a bad motor then why is there still alot of them on the water today,as far as parts,there is a marina about 20 miles from me that stocks everything for them.

 

[pecheux]

Re: first time Force buyer

I dont know if it's a coincidence, but same here, the two outboards that I owned that gave me the most problems of all kinds and where the least reliable were both V4 Johnson. Nevertheless I still consider that generaly speaking the OMC are better quality OB's. But that does not mean that I would turn down a good deal on a Force OB ... I own a 9.9 Johnson and I bought a 15 hp Force a few years ago just for kicks ... LOL and that ol 90 HP Chrysler was good to me ... (with a lot of TLC)

 

[Mark42]

Re: first time Force buyer

I have a 1985 Force 85 hp and it is in very good running condition. Starts right up, has a little hesitation when the throttle is opened fast, and has no power tilt or trim.

I also have a 1992 40hp Johnson. Starts right up, takes a few minutes to warm up and idle smooth (two cylinder motor), has a tilt assist.

I keep the Force, but am always looking for a Johnson 90hp or Yamaha 90 to replace it with. The Force is heavy, no power tilt or even tilt assist. Parts are hard to get.

Buy the Johnson!!!!!

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: first time Force buyer

Even as one of the successful Force owners (90hp...great motor, no problems)...I have to admit.....the chicks like a big Johnson.
BP

 

[tjello327]

Re: first time Force buyer

I was a beginner boater with my first outboard being a 1986 force 125 hp. I worked on a few dirt bikes and built a few 400+ hp small block chevy engines in the past before getting my boat. It was in poor running condition the day I bought it from a friend. He dumped lots of money into it at a marina and got poor results. I started to trouble shoot it like I would any other engine. This engine had a few problems that I was able to identify with quite a few hours and a little bit of money. I got it running on all cylinders pretty good but now have lower unit problems that I am fixing this winter.
Bottom line, Force outboards are pretty simple to work on compaired to other more "engineered brands." As for parts, Ebay has been a very good option for ignition parts, carbs or other misc. parts. Iboats has quite a few new parts also. Yes there are better outboards out there, but not as easy to work on and expensive to repair. My pick? Force for the money!