New Engine or Used Engine...

[HollaGeo]

It's time to re-power my boat. I'm in the 25 - 30 h.p. range. It came as a suprise to me that NEW engines in that h.p.are flirting in the $4K - $5K price bracket. I can probably pick up something used in fairly decent condition for $2K give or take. My only concern is buying a headache. Let's put all prior ownership knowledge aside and assume the engine was maintained. Would you guys save the extra $3K and go for a brand-new one or buy the maintained used one and hope for the best. When I say, "used" I'm talking about late 90s til - mid 2000s.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

Every outboard i've had has been used and none of them have been a headache. 25hp Johnson/Evinrude's are nearly bullet proof. I have picked up a few 25hp JohnnyRude's in nearly mint condition in the $500 range. Gotta keep your eyes open and be patient.
I prefer 1978-1990 models or any year that doesn't have a bunch of plastic parts.

 

[ChillyB]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

I just bought a 1985 14' Sea Nymph with a 1985 25 hp Johnson for $650. Engine looks kind of ratty in the lower end but it'll take a shine after some priming, sanding, and painting. Runs very well so far. If my only other option was a new engine I would not have a boat. Simply out of my range. Best of all, it is finished depreciating. How much is a $4k motor worth after a year of use?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

Would you guys save the extra $3K and go for a brand-new one or buy the maintained used one and hope for the best. When I say, "used" I'm talking about late 90s til - mid 2000s.

There is a middle ground here. Buy a used one and have it thoroughly gone over by a competent outboard mechanic.

My 1981 Evinrude 90 runs like a new one. I had it gone over completely by a real guru of a J/E mechanic and had all the periodic maintenance done on it. I wouldn't hesitate to go that route again (as tempting as a brand new E-tec might be )

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

I can't justify the cost differential-you can even throw away a few $600 motors and come out ahead.

However, two used motors I recently acquired had mystery electrical problems that took forever to find. But I don't regret it.

Now on a high use motor, such as a commercial application, new may be worth it due to the warranty, plus you make a friend if you buy from your small shop dealer/mechanic.

 

[dingbat]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

It all comes down to how much risk you want to take. There in no guarantee that the $2,000 motor may last a week, a month, or even a 1 year.
My 200Hp had a slight miss when I bought it used for $2,500. $1,500 and the miss was gone. A year later and another $1,000 an idle problem was resolved. This year I find hints of water in #6 cylinder. Another $5,500 and I have a perfectly good running motor.

All and all I've spent $10.5K and ended up with a rebuilt motor. Before I decided to go the used route, I had an offer to put a brand new F225 on the boat for $11,500.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

It's time to re-power my boat. I'm in the 25 - 30 h.p. range. It came as a suprise to me that NEW engines in that h.p.are flirting in the $4K - $5K price bracket. I can probably pick up something used in fairly decent condition for $2K give or take. My only concern is buying a headache. Let's put all prior ownership knowledge aside and assume the engine was maintained. Would you guys save the extra $3K and go for a brand-new one or buy the maintained used one and hope for the best. When I say, "used" I'm talking about late 90s til - mid 2000s.

Yep, for the $2-3K, you could buy a decent used motor from a dealer with a warranty.
My 3 motors are all 1980s in the $600-$800 range bought from private sellers, and I put money in all of them.
One is running great though, and I'm happy with it. Good luck.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

Look around and sometimes you'll be surprised at the prices you'll find on a new motor. The only thing I've ever bought new in my life is a 90 ETEC but I put in a lot of time searching to get the right price. It was an 06 that I bought in 07, 0 hours, still in the crate and still with 6 year warranty. And also remember, shipping charges can be alot cheaper than you'd think.

As a side, my dad had a 70ish HP early 80's Johnson on a boat for sale. Motor ran great. Guy came to look at it, fired right up on the muffs in the driveway. They came to a price agreement and my dad insisted they take it for a test on the water. Launched the boat and motor wouldn't start. Needless to say the deal fell apart and the motor ate another $800 in parts and pieces. moral of the story, you never know what will happen with something mechanical.

 

[kwilford]

Re: New Engine or Used Engine...

The only thing I've ever bought new in my life is a 90 ETEC but I put in a lot of time searching to get the right price. It was an 06 that I bought in 07, 0 hours, still in the crate and still with 6 year warranty. And also remember, shipping charges can be a lot cheaper than you'd think.

How has your 90 HP E-TEC been? I have an '76 Johnson 85 HP that I have spent over $5k on (full block re-build, all new ignition, etc) in the past two years and it still doesn't have the power it had three years ago. It WILL be replaced before next summer, but with what? is the question. I was looking at 90 and 115 HP E-TECs, but they're a bit pricey, and the 115 V4 is HEAVY at 375 lbs, only 24 lbs lighter than the Merc 4-stroke. The 90 is still 320 lbs, and only an in-line 3, so I was concerned about hole power etc. How has the E-TEC been for reliability?

TIA