Replacement outboard

[bonz_d]

I have a line on a boat from a relative that currantly has a 50hp Force on it that isn't running and my question is if I should decide to purchase this as-is what Johnny/Rude would make a good replacement.

Not sure what the capacity plate states for max HP but would like to stay with a 2 cyl outboard. So which years/models should I be looking for and which ones should I stay clear of? I know from reading here that some of the electric shifts have NLA parts but not sure which ones. Budget is going to be a limiting factor so keep that in mind.

Thanks

 

[mikesea]

Re: Replacement outboard

Sorry ,but you WANT a 3 cyl.60 - 70 1987 to mid 90's .the 87 date is primarily due to the change of the exhust plate system on the eng.Trust me,its a great motor ,the additional cyl.with the better ,stronger gearcase will please you no end.As for fuel,Id bet its better

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Replacement outboard

OK but am completely unfamiliar with this size range. Much more comfortable with the 20-35hp 2 cylinders.

So why not the 50, 55 and 60hp 2 cylinders. again I ask because I have no clue.

I state this range because I've been on this boat with the 50hp Force and it performed very well. Wasn't underpowered, planed nicely.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: Replacement outboard

2 cylinders vibrate alot more and seem a little louder. They run perfectly fine but 3 or more cylinders are alot less shaky.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Replacement outboard

Anyone with specifics on the 50, 55, 60hp twin cylinders?

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Replacement outboard

Sorry ,but you WANT a 3 cyl.60 - 70 1987 to mid 90's .the 87 date is primarily due to the change of the exhust plate system on the eng.Trust me,its a great motor ,the additional cyl.with the better ,stronger gearcase will please you no end.As for fuel,Id bet its better

I wouldnt be suggesting a 60-70 hp motor for a boat that you have no idea what the rated hp is. That could turn a good day bad pretty quick if its got a rotted transom. Further more, it should never be recommended that someone exceed the capacity of the boat. What someone does on their own time is their problem, but it shouldnt be publicly endorsed here on iboats.

Bonz_d, you need to first figure out what the capacity plate says, and go from there. But your instincts are right to stay away from the force. they were pretty cheaply made and not very reliable. as for electric shifts, if they are in good shape, they arent bad motors. i own one myself, a 70 evinrude 85hp and i have no complaints about it. you can usually find them cheaper due to their lack of desire. i picked up mine for 150 as a running but unkown condition motor and have about 150 in parts in it.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Replacement outboard

I personally know this boat very well (sense it was new) and even though it's probably 20 yrs old now I can honestly say it's seen less than 100hrs of water time and has always been stored inside. Last time out the owner ran it with year old fuel and puked it. I'm sure I could Fix the Force but I ask myself Why bother.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Replacement outboard

to answer the "why bother" question... it may be worth your while. you may get her running with a few hours and less than $100 in parts. and even if only lasts one season, you are still ahead of the game.

as opposed to dropping $500-$1500 motor that may have problems too.

personally i am a risk taker. i took a risk on my motor and knock on wood it has worked out good for me so far.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Replacement outboard

I wouldnt be suggesting a 60-70 hp motor for a boat that you have no idea what the rated hp is. That could turn a good day bad pretty quick if its got a rotted transom. Further more, it should never be recommended that someone exceed the capacity of the boat. What someone does on their own time is their problem, but it shouldnt be publicly endorsed here on iboats.


Well I did ANDY,think the owner of the boat would look into the Max.HP prior to taking the leap.My experience with the 48 to 55 is,the lowerunits tend to be weak.I would hate to see a guy buy one ,and,need to plop down a ton of money on a used lower for that engine.I had many blown gearcases on those engines,why,I was told they are a bit to lite for the HP.Ive shopped to bitter end to help out 2 old guys ,whom gave up and gave me their old engines.The cost of a lower ,when found wasnt worth what I could sell them for.I could have told him,get a nice 15 hp,great eng.highly reliable,but he wouldnt get out of his own way with it.Take your EGO elsewhere bud,No one recomended anyone to exceed any capacity.We are all hear trying to help other boaters,NOT to knock RECOMMENDATIONS of other caring boaters ,and mechanics.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Replacement outboard

I wouldnt be suggesting a 60-70 hp motor for a boat that you have no idea what the rated hp is. That could turn a good day bad pretty quick if its got a rotted transom. Further more, it should never be recommended that someone exceed the capacity of the boat. What someone does on their own time is their problem, but it shouldnt be publicly endorsed here on iboats.


Well I did ANDY,think the owner of the boat would look into the Max.HP prior to taking the leap.My experience with the 48 to 55 is,the lowerunits tend to be weak.I would hate to see a guy buy one ,and,need to plop down a ton of money on a used lower for that engine.I had many blown gearcases on those engines,why,I was told they are a bit to lite for the HP.Ive shopped to bitter end to help out 2 old guys ,whom gave up and gave me their old engines.The cost of a lower ,when found wasnt worth what I could sell them for.I could have told him,get a nice 15 hp,great eng.highly reliable,but he wouldnt get out of his own way with it.Take your EGO elsewhere bud,No one recomended anyone to exceed any capacity.We are all hear trying to help other boaters,NOT to knock RECOMMENDATIONS of other caring boaters ,and mechanics.

Not trying to get into a pissing match with you, but you DID recommend he get a 60-70 hp motor. All I was saying is that its not a good idea to recommend that without knowing what the max hp for the boat is. No ego here buddy, just knowledge. If that means I am "on a high horse", then so be it. My intention is to help bonz_d out, not to prove you wrong. But he obviously is a new boater and needs to be educated on the subject he's recieving information on.

Let's squash this. Anything else, send me a PM.


Bonz_d, have you found out what the rated hp is yet? if not, do you know the model and year of the boat? If not, there is a formula used by the USCG to determine max weight and hp.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/boatwater/backyardboatbuilders.pdf

there is info there.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Replacement outboard

Well I am sure there is one thing that can be agreed on ........The Force will make an excellent anchor

Seriously though, the make and model of boat would be a great help to everyone.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Replacement outboard

Thanks guys.
1st off, no I'm not new to boating just to this power range of the OMC's. Which of course is why I'm asking questions.

Agreed, no need for a P'ing match and no offense was taken. My only thought is that when someone asks about a particular item, as in this case the 50-60hp Twins, someone always reccomends something completely different. See it here and on many other forums.

So again my interest is in learning about the 50-60hp twin OMC's. Not the 3 cyl or even the 4 cyl Mercs. If it's learned that they are not worth pursueing then I'll have to reconcider other options.

Mikesea, that is the kind of info that I'm looking for. Weak lowers and such. I have no experience with the electric shift for one and as with the Mercs I would like to stay away from NLA parts.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Replacement outboard

Heres what pertnant advice I can offer: I used to run a '74 evinrude 50 hp, twin cyl. it started without having to choke it. it was the greatest motor i ever owned. it pushed my 16' starcraft with 2 adults 3 kids and gear to 25mph all day long. The guy I bought it from as well as myself never had a problem with the lower unit. before that on my 14' tri hull i ran a 66 merc 50hp, and myself as well as the previous owner never had a problem with the lower units.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Replacement outboard

I ran a 60hp early 70's Evinrude back in the mid 80's. Replaced a couple of coils and nothing else other than the regular maintenance items.
Good Motor.
(I did not, however use a Force as an anchor)

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Replacement outboard

As I said earlier, if the force can be fixed cheaply, why not use it for now un til it dies??

*sent wirelessly from my motorola droid*