Re: new boater needs help
Okay, I want to re-say what I said in an earlier post concerning the Force 150.......AND I OWN AND RUN ONE ON MY BOAT. THIS IS NOT BASED ON "I HEARD" BUT RATHER EXPERIENCE WITH MY OWN MOTOR AS WELL AS TWO OTHER FRIENDS OF MINE RUN.<br /><br />I bought the boat with 12 hours on it in 1991. I did replace the impellar as it had sat for a year - in a garage. I got the boat for a steal as it was being sold by a father whose son (who owned the boat) was killed in a car wreck. he just wanted to get rid of it.<br /><br />We have a place on a large lake (Kerr Lake in Va) where the boat is kept. It is used quite a bit each summer. Ran it quite a bit this summer but now being put away for the winter due to lake levels due to this **** drought.<br /><br />In 1994 I did have to rebuild the motor due to the #5 (top) cylinder losing compression. Last year I replaced a stator. Other than that there has nothing been done to the boat except routine maintenance, which I do religiously. It is an excellent ski platform and will run (by GPS) 55 at 5600 RPM with a 21 pitch prop (empty boat with nothing else in it but me). Drop to a 19 and I can deep start barefooters as well as pull two slaloms out of the water. <br /><br />I have two friends who have slightly newer model 150's and they have similar stories and dont maintain their boat as well as I do. **** one of them just got into de-carbing. <br /><br />There is also a guy on the lake with the identical boat to mine but with a 150 Merc on it. I talked to him one day and he tops out at 58. I didnt ask the RPM's though. I also have never been left on the lake (towed in) but have towed in a few Yammies, and Johnnyrudes (a neighbor in the cove twice - 175 Evinrude).<br /><br />Frequent Breakdowns?? - How much of that is operator headspace and neglect. You put a low end motor on a beginner boat and honestly you ask for some of this. I have seen this at the boat ramp before - Guy putting the boat in for the first time and has done nothing all year. You can even smell that sour gas as he tries to start it. It dont start and now the motor is a piece of sh##t. The same goes for boats. How many of you all have seen boats left out in the weather all winter and then the owner *****ing about quality. I will admit the Forces do take TLC but if that is done I dont see the big problem.......especially after once again going back on this site and looking at the brands with the most problems. Surprise - it aint Force. Our boat mech who is a friend of the family ( he owns Allen's Marine in South Hill, VA) says the same about Force motors - they do take some extra care but will last. Oh, he doesnt have and does not anticipate problems in getting parts. As long as their is a demand the parts will be around. There are still companies that deal in out of circualation parts - the addresses have even been posted on this board. <br /><br />The 150 that was rebuilt due to water injestion in the #5 cylinder dont sound like the repair was done right. It promptly ate the rings in the same cylinder a three hours after you got it back???? Maybe I misunderstood the post; and if I did, I am sorry, but I honestly believe I would be back with alot of questions.<br /><br />There are many others on the lake who run and are happy with their Force motors (most are 120/125's and 85's). They do not "break all the time." If so then they wouldnt be on the lake having fun.<br /><br />An equally erroneous statement is "many 115's will out run them." Bulls##t. True the Hp rating was at the crank as opposed to the prop. The true HP rating is around 140. Same boats, a 115 vs a Force 150 and the 115 will out run it???<br />Come on!!!<br /><br />The 150 is the worst motor Force Made??? Okay, if this board is a representative sample then that statement is also erroneous. Very few posts deal with Force 150 problems. There are some asking opinions. And yep there are some by me about a bonehead repair on mine last summer that took a turn of the wrench. The majority of the post concerning Force motor problems are 120/125, 85 and 70 HP. I will also say that there arent as many 150's as there are 120/125's though.<br /><br />As to the motor purchasing question. My opinion is that if the compression checks out, the lower end is in good shape, and the boat the motor is currently on is in good shape, and you know and can do the basics of maintenance, and you have a good price, then go for it. <br /><br />If I heard you correctly you were going to put it on a light 17 ft boat. You may be asking for problems there as I would bet the HP rating far exceeds what that boat is rated for. You could be running the risk of an accident and subsequent liability. Plus you will no doubt begin to tear the boat transom over time due to the torque of the motor.<br /><br />I will admit the Force motors are not the best out there - not hardly. But, with proper care they can do you fine. They take alot of bad mouthing (much of it by folks who dont even own one) for problems that are also present with the other makes. Considering what I paid for my rig, and what I have done to it since, and the enjoyment we have gotten out of the boat......Im happy.<br /><br />Im sorry if anyone gets riled over this but I just wanted to give my 02.<br /><br />Deerdog
