What O/Bs are out of production?

[jdlough]

Looking for a list of outboards that are no longer made or have hard-to-find parts, so I know what to avoid.

I know OMC is gone. That means no more Johnson or Evinrude parts are being made? What was the last year? Should I avoid buying a boat with a 90's Johnson outboard?

I know Force is gone. Are parts hard to find for an 85-150Hp Force?

Any other outboard brands to avoid?

I guess my real question is, if you were looking for a 5-to-15 year old 18' bowrider, what outboard would you LIKE to find on it?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[rolmops]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

The outboards may be out of production,but there are spare parts available for almost any outboard right back to the early fifties and often before that.
Personally,I would like a late 1980s loop charged Johnson on my boats

 

[AguaSki]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

Most OMC parts are plentiful. I have a 1978 Johnson and I have never felt like I had to look hard for any part. A quick look here on iBoats, NAPA, or Google search and I have what I need. I can also get a lot of parts at West Marine. I would not be scared by older OMC motors as parts are as plentiful as a new motor. A lot of the guys on this forum actually prefer older OMC's. I have heard about challenges finding Force parts, but I don't have any personal experience. Parts availability is not the only reason to stay away from Force.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

Most OMC parts are plentiful. I have a 1978 Johnson and I have never felt like I had to look hard for any part. A quick look here on iBoats, NAPA, or Google search and I have what I need. I can also get a lot of parts at West Marine. I would not be scared by older OMC motors as parts are as plentiful as a new motor. A lot of the guys on this forum actually prefer older OMC's. I have heard about challenges finding Force parts, but I don't have any personal experience. Parts availability is not the only reason to stay away from Force.

What he said, especially the part about staying away from a Force.
Nightstalker

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

OMC is gone but Evinrude and Johnson are very much in production (Johnson less so than Evinrude). They were bought by BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products). Have you not heard of the Evinrude E-tec?

 

[jdlough]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

I knew Bombardier bought Evinrude and Johnson, but I didn't know if they were supporting the older motors. It's good to hear that parts are still easily available for Evinrude and Johnson.

Most people on this site recommend AGAINST Force. Unfortunately, every time I think I've maybe found a good boat, it ends up having a Force on it.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

....every time I think I've maybe found a good boat, it ends up having a Force on it.

Up your price range. You'll start finding Johnsons

 

[mthieme]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

I prefer older OBs, Mercs. Some parts are NLA.
But then I like 60 y.o. farm tractors, 40 y.o. garden tractors and boats, 50 y.o. women....antiques in general.
While the Force does not have the best rep, they can provide good service if you stay on top of them, like anything else.
I will say that one of my neighbors has a 70 Force and a 70 Yammy. We've swapped them between his 15' MFG and 20' 'toon. The Yammy seemed to push the barge twice as well (at least) as the Force. Could have been a prop thing though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

Chrysler, Force, OMC outdrives (I/0) are not supported with parts. what is out there is getting scarce and expensive.

60-70'S Mercs have some parts that are NLA, as Some of the J/E's you really have to look at the available parts list, for each motor. some are minor parts, some are major parts.

On J/E's you can check here, back to 1968.

 

[mthieme]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

I have some late 80's ('87) Mercs that I have NLA parts which I have ran across.
Force parts are available and no more expensive than anything else.
I can't speak for older OMC OD parts (stringers), but Cobra ODs and motor parts are not a problem, also not more expensive than anything else.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

i did a search a while back just for kicks, Cobra does have some NLA, parts.

 

[mthieme]

Re: What O/Bs are out of production?

The end caps (kits) on the trim cylinders.