Parting out Project Boat

[Mark42]

I'm looking at a project boat that comes with a 85hp Force from 1985 that is listed in "like new" condition.

How much do you think I can get for a good running 85hp Force?

Did the 1985 force motors have the through tube steering setup?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

Mark it really depends on what the buyer really knows about the force. i don't even work on them any more. if i buy a boat with a force on it. if it starts goes on ebay as a runner. if not i just part them out. all i do is test compression and lower for water. ebay gets them. i can sell them in FLA. no one wants one.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

who made Force?

 

[Robj]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

Force aka Chrysler. Merc bought them I believe in the late 80's and eventually phased them out.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

Hate to rain on your parade but if the boat came from NJ, the engine has most likely seen salt. A "like new" (and they are all "like New") 22 year old engine that has seen salt at all will not have much value. Even fresh water engines usually have some corrosion problems. Even I -- who is probably the biggest Chrysler/Force fan; I have 15 in various sizes-- stay away from them. Put it on ebay as pick up only. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

who made Force?

Are you about ready for your ***** whoopin, the high speed paint is almost on...............

 

[babaz64]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

what is wrong with a force outboard? Just curious.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

they haven't been built since the 90's. were a cheap beginner motor, and most owners, never heard of maintainance. there are a couple of good ones still around. but not many, and the ones that are, the owners are buy old one for parts.

 

[sprdty]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

bayliners and force kind of got a bad rep together.

bayliners were marketed as a beginers boat and put force motors on them.
being new boaters, the regular maintance wasnt done (and force motors required more than the others)

now you have a bayliner boat with a broke force (i use the word broke in these sense that fixing it cost $$$)
from what i know thats how it all started - i could be wrong.

force motors burn dirty compared to the other brands.
i have worked on both force & omc ob's.

to me it really doesnt matter what brand it is, as long as it has been taken care of.
and then there is the cost, if money isnt a concern - why not try it for a while, especially if its running now.

i have spent $$$ to try and get an abused omc ob running. which was bought has totally rebuilt (not).
when it came to a used force that was maintained it was far less than above.

like rite now i am starting to work with a 1985 crossflow omc ob - there are those that put these rite next to the force motors.
by that i mean some prefer the loop charged omc obs to the crossflow design.

i am like that with cars - i would not ever buy a chevy again.

it comes down to personal choice & experience, thats what great about the USA.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

I had an 89 Bayliner with an 85 HP on it. It ran ok but never really felt like a true 85 HP, I had a larger Starcraft right before that one with only a Merc 50 on it and that Merc felt stronger than that 85 Force. The Force died of piston failure after about 4 seasons even with good maintainance. I replaced it with a used 75 HP Johnson that ran much stronger and ran good until I sold that boat in the mid 90's. The Force motor always seemed a bit dated when it came to design and lacked the power and speed that I got out of other motors.

 

[boatmandan]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

the egine were power head radded by force. The rest of hte competers prop shft radded.It is about 15% hp dif. so the 85 hp. was not. the same.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

the egine were power head radded by force. The rest of hte competers prop shft radded.It is about 15% hp dif. so the 85 hp. was not. the same.

Hey Boatmandan, thanks for the post, but you gotta stop drinking while posting, Dude.

Can someone translate this please? And what does "radded" mean?

Thanks,

Mark.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

had a couple, and desiphered it. Force never did rate there engine at the prop. they always rated the at the power head. an to my knowledge that's true.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

Thanks Tash!

I knew there was important info hidden in BMD's post. (Thanks BMD!)

So, if there is roughly a 15% over rating in the Force motor compared to conventional ratings, then a 70 to 80 hp Johnson or Merc should give the same performance as the Force 85. Previous owner claimed 35mph with the Force. I now own this boat, but have not had it in the water yet.

I'm thinking about a late model 90hp Johnson.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

Mark if you can find an 88spl Johnson or Rude, that would be great. i love mine. even though if have to mix. 88 is the 90 without VRO.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

It is not just hp rating at the powerhead vs rating at the prop shaft, an engine could be called an 85hp engine and actually produce +-10%. I think Chrysler/Force engines were in the -10% range coupled with the fact that engines were rated at the powerhead during 1985 and you certainly could have an engine that legal produced hp in the high 60s to low 70s. Some of their engines were pretty solid if maintained, but their designs were old and unrefined.

If it is running, put it on ebay or in your Craigs list. Probably get a couple of bucks for it.

 

[Darkhorse1201]

Re: Parting out Project Boat

I had a 1989 bayliner with a Force 125 OB on it. While the boat was okay for a starter boat the motor left so much to be desired that I have since sold it and after buying a boat with an i/o (read V6 auto like motor) I am SOOOO glad to be rid of the Force!