Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

[rjezuit]

If you had your choice, based on reliability, ease to work on, power, weight, and availability of parts, what outboard, 15-25 Hp would you choose. Dates ranging from 1955 to 1976. The reason I am asking is I have a '56 15HP Evinrude that runs great, but is a bit underpowered for my boat. I am looking at something more powerful, but wanted learned opinions befiore I go looking. Thanks, Rick

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

you already know you can beat the Johnson/Evinrudes. especially in that HP range. they are as easy to work on as the 15. either one they are the same motors, just in a different dress.

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

J & E 25's all the way up through the 80's.

 

[rjezuit]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

I want one around the same weight as the 15, around 75-85#. Point or electronic ignition? I see after around '77 the 25/35HP get heavier. I am assuming the 15-25HP are the same motor basically through 1977 or so and then a leg/block change after tah accounting for the extra weight? Anything to watch out for in the newer ones? Thanks, Rick

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

I had a 1980 25 hp Johnson. Yes it is heavy at 110 lbs.
The motor was bulletproof. Better made then the motors they put out in the 90's. In the 90's a lot of the parts are made of plastic that tend to break easily.

I don't know how powerful the lighter 25's your asking about are. If you buy one of them you might not end up with enough motor.

If your concerned about your transom I wouldn't worry that much about it. I had an old Klamath that I back down a steep drive way and the motor ended up catching and bending the transom back a couple inches. I ran it for years like that with the 25 hp and it held up.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

Johnson / Evinrude all the way through the V6 range for me.

 

[eavega]

Re: Opinions On Medium Sized Outboards

I want one around the same weight as the 15, around 75-85#.

I have a 1968 20 HP Jonson, and the weight stated in the manual is 79 Lbs. I also have a '73 25 HP Johnson as a parts motor, and the motors are so close to identical, I can't imagine that the weight will be any more. The 25 HP is not complete, so I can't tell you definitively what it weighs.

-E