In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

[tmooreZ06]

This will be my first boat. I'm currently considering two bass boats. One has an '83 Mariner 70hp, and the other has an
'89 Evinrude 110hp VRO. I'm leaning towards the one with the '89 Evinrude not only because it's newer, but also because it has more horsepower, as both boats are in a similar price range.

I've talked over the phone with both owners, and both of them are selling because they're getting up there in age and just don't use them anymore. My main concern is that both boats haven't been used in a while and have just been sitting there for who knows how long.

Not since the dirt bike days of my teen years, have I owned a two-stoke engine. I'm a little confused with the VRO deal. It sounds like it's some form of oil injection, however is it okay to go ahead and mix some two-stoke oil with the fuel anyway? If so, at what ratio?

Also, I'll insist that the engines be started and run a little before I make an offer. However, if they haven't been run in a while, what should I bring with me? I'm thinking at least a fresh mix of fuel, and two-stoke oil.

Thanks for any advice from you experienced boat owners.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

I am a v4 fan and vro is nice. I would bring along a compression tester ask about most recent impeller and when the carbs were serviced

I would try for a water test with fresh fuel and of course check EVERYTHING in the boats structure

 

[tmooreZ06]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

Thanks Bob_VT, for the advice! Hopefully the owner will know when the impeller was relpaced, since he said he bought it from a nieghbor down the street after her husband died. He lives close to a lake, so hopefully he'll be agreeable to a run in the water.

 

[tmooreZ06]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

Does anyone know what size socket is needed for the spark plugs and torque value for an '89 Evinrude 110hp VRO? I'm attempting to do due dilligence as a used boat buyer, thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

13/16". Not really torqued but snug

 

[BonairII]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

Finding out the condition of the hull/floors/transom should be paramount. Checking compression will be easy. Checking for signs of rot will take a bit of effort.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

To answer your question about VRO, yes it is OK to also pre-mix at 100:1 and keep the VRO active. I have a rather paranoid buddy that has done this since his VRO was new.

 

[tmooreZ06]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

Thanks to everyone, for answering... This forum is awesome!

 

[tmooreZ06]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

What type of motor oil would you suggest for the crankcase?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

What type of motor oil would you suggest for the crankcase?

Heh.
This is a two-stroke motor. All of the oil for the powerhead is mixed into the gas, in your case with the VRO pump that mixes the oil with the gas at the motor. There is no crankcase oil, like you would have in a car or lawnmower or newer 4 stroke outboard.
The two stroke oil that you need in the oil reservoir is TC-W3 two cycle oil.
The gearcase down by the propeller uses 85-90W marine gear oil.

 

[tmooreZ06]

Re: In market for a used fishing boat need guidance please

Thanks for the info and dignifyiny my dumb question with a reply. I looked at said boat, but decided not to buy it after finding out that the owners were unprepared to show it. They couldn't get the motor started, and asked me to wait 45 min while they bought a new battery after I drove an hour and forty-five minutes to see it! I could tell they knew nothing about the boat, or boats in general... even less than myself. They never even used it, yet there was still water in the livewell! Now I'm going to look at my second choice... another bass boat in a similar price range but a little older. It has a 70hp '83 Mariner motor, same year as the boat. I think a Mariner is the same as a Mercury, does anyone know about this type motor?