re-post opinion on good motor

rsw21282

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
122
In reply/additional info. to the question i asked on the (opinion on good motor)post. My power requirments are vast 9.9-90hp, 2stroke acceptable but 4preferred. This question was ment more for a general idea of what ppls opinions where. If i find a john boat with a 7yr old 9.9 merc on it is that dependable or to old? or i find a 50hp evinrude thats 15yrs old is it still dependable? Any brand known to hold up to salt water better? really my question is what motor lasts the longest, any brands with a bad rap? im not that knowledgable about the history of each brand and when some changes came about that could make the brand better or worse. I have been told honda makes the best motors but most ppl that say that are honda owners. Im not trying to instigate a arguement, just get diff. opinions. Really the best bang for the buck is what im after. I make about 50k and want a good fishing boat that is ok for flats but on calm days can take out a mile or so, if its a jon boat with a 4yr old merc 9.9 or i find a deal on a 10yr old boston whaler with a 25hp evinrude which motor is the better choice, more bang with the evinrude but 9.9 is newer, so is a evinrude still dependabl after 10yrs enough to choose over a newer less powered engine? this just example of what im looking at.(the boat is irrelivant in example) Im just trying to see if there is a trend that ppl say, ex:dont go with tohatsu in late 90's they put out bad motors for some reason or merc's in mid 90's tried this change and caused problems.(like harley when amf took over)
 

jbjennings

Captain
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
3,903
Re: re-post opinion on good motor

Here's my incredibly valuable opinion::rolleyes:
I think a lightly used johson/evinrude 2-stroke 25hp- 35hp from the 80's or 90's is about as good of a deal as one can get to put on a light aluminum boat. They are just super good, easy to start, smooth running, reliable motors. I think you would like a 35hp on a fairly light boat for the purpose you described.
Any 80's or 90's 2-stroke OMC of any horsepower in lightly used condition is a good deal to me.
A lightly used yamaha 2-stroke 25hp is a nice motor, too, but I prefer American products when I can buy them.

I don't hear much good about force motors, and don't care for Chrysler products in general.
I like mercury's but don't often find a used mercury to be a very good value due to the expense of electrical parts and the fact that if the carb. isn't spotlessly clean and the motor perfectly tuned, they are often hard to start cold. (JMO). I do own a '72 merc. 9.8 and really like it. I also like my '84 merc 25hp but don't care for the shift in the handle aspect of it since the linkages wear out a lot, and because reverse gear to get boogered up a lot.

I personally wouldn't buy an electric shift motor from the 60's or early 70's by OMC because I don't know how to work on it and some of the parts are hard to get.

Bigger motors like 90hp's and up can be really expensive to have worked on and they like gas, so I tend to stay away from them. --- I make about the same paycheck as you.
Good luck,
JBJ
 
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