New to Outboard WORLD!

[winddancer]

Have had sailboats and Inboards all my life. Just found a boat that caught my wife's attention. Motor is a 2001 Mercury 150 Saltwater. What are the pros and cons? The owner stated he uses 93 octane? Is there a reason not to use mid grade? What type of oil is recommended, Synthetic or non synthetic. Reading up on problems occurring with Ethanol gas. The engine looks to be very good. Needs new prop. Spurs on prop. Was told 250 hours on engine. Private owner. Kept up very well. Not beat to death. AND WE HAVE LOOKED at alot of boats in 3 months. Now don't fault me for what I'm going to say. The boat is a 2001 CC Sea Fox...NO cracks, no tears, no bottom paint...NO marks on bottom as when beached. Always been on trailer. Bimini top, front cover and back cover, cushions, cooler seat cushion...no v berth cushion..anchors, emergency kit, all hoses replaced a 3 months ago. Always mechanic serviced. Galvanized trailer with new tires, rebuilt new hubs, slide and pole, leif springs replaced and spare. Dual batteries, vhs, cd/speakers standard instruments, antenna, for 7200 dollars....What are your views out there since you have way more experience and knowledge in these areas. Engine started right up....tilt works....water flowed out fast.....not a purring engine...but no knocking or missing.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

did you give it a test drive? your engine questions will be better answered in the mercury outboard forum.

 

[dingbat]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

Just found a boat that caught my wife's attention. Motor is a 2001 Mercury 150 Saltwater. What are the pros and cons? The owner stated he uses 93 octane? Is there a reason not to use mid grade?

That motor is designed to run on 87 octane. Even mid-grade is a waste of money.

 

[cr2k]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

Try BEFORE you buy. If you are that concerned ask to take it to a different shop for an evaluation. Spark and compression test are the very minimum that should be performed on the engine. When you test it in the water; take a small sample of both engine and drive oils before AND after and compare.

As far as octane goes, well if it's rated at 87 93 won't hurt it but why run it?
You may notice a little power difference and you would have to do some testing to see if you got any better mileage with 93 and if it was worth the higher price.

A newer engine like the one you speak of should be factory ready for at least 10% ethanol.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

actually at or near WOT you may find a power loss using 93 octane fuels and higher octane fuels can lead to increased combustion chamber deposits due to the higher octanes slower burning.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

sounds like a good rig--what size--21'?
UNless it has been sunk I'd focus on the motor, maybe you can take it in to a shop for a check-up and if you buy it, a tune-up and carb cleaning there. If you do that, and the hull is solid, and you are already familiar with the hull, a test drive should not be necessary although it's desirable.

 

[winddancer]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

Want to thank everyone for their replys....the seller kept draggin there feet about that engine...which gave up tooooo many red flags...now I have seen it up twice on EBAY.....in the last 10 days....prior it was on ebay...SO LOTS of red flags....We saw it at 8500 with trailer...ebay had the top bid at 7600 plus a 395.00 addl sell fee, and an additional 1500 for the trailer.....we found a great deal on a 2002 21 ft Center console that looked like it came off the showroom floor and has ALL maintenance records and was taken out for a test drive for over a half hour.....YOU BET WE BOUGHT IT....THE OWNER TOOK PRIDE IN HER and took good care. 11 grand was a steal!!!

 

[Expidia]

Re: New to Outboard WORLD!

Sounds sweet. Congrats on your new boat and post a pic when you get a chance