Which motor to buy?

[starcraftlegasea]

I fixed up an old boat that was my father's, and now its time to get an engine. I found a guy that has two engines that I like, but I'm not sure which one to purchase. The options are as follows (both engines are coming from fresh water use):

- 1996 Yamaha 115 installed with controls for $2400
- 1990 Johnson 90 installed with controls for $1500

Under normal circumstances I would go for the Yamaha, however the Johnson is in better condition. Both engine run perfectly, it just seems that the Johnson has less hours on it. Can someone help me choose. Thanks.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Which motor to buy?

Of the two the Yamaha is the better choice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which motor to buy?

and i disagree, i have an '88 88 spl, which is the 90 without the VRO, great engine. never any trouble. and i paid more for mine last year.

 

[JB]

Re: Which motor to buy?

You didn't mention the power rating of your boat, SCL.

Assuming it is safe for 115hp I would choose the Yammy, but it would be a hard choice because the Johnny is also a great engine.

 

[starcraftlegasea]

Re: Which motor to buy?

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Which motor to buy?

Both fresh water motors? Great.

The amount of hours is really not as important as you think. The "lower" hours on one (if not properly cared for) may be in a worse condition.

I would try to find out more of the history.

I would go for the Yamaha even with the higher hours. A good tune up and you are good to go.

 

[licketdsplit756]

Re: Which motor to buy?

depending on what your looking for speed or just cruising around the lake. both engines will offer that myself id take a compression cheak on both engines the one with the best compression id install on my boat the other i would bye and resell and make some of my money back on the one you keep. because the price he is asking is great. you may be able to make 800 to 900 dollar profit of of selling one ..DONT LET HIM READ THIS. gl

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Which motor to buy?

yamaha ........

 

[hitace]

Re: Which motor to buy?

why not stck with the comany thats ben around since 1929.i gota say johnson all the way.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Which motor to buy?

Tough choice but I would tend toward the Johnson personally but which one has the closest dealership should you need them ??
Deejaycee......how did I know you would say Yamaha !! LOL

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Which motor to buy?

hahahaha .... you know it .... besides, the extra hp is good ....

 

[starcraftlegasea]

Re: Which motor to buy?

The power/performance aspect of the engine is not as much of a concern as is the reliability part. I am looking for the one that is going to last me the longest with the least amount of hassle. Would that be the Yamaha?

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Which motor to buy?

that is correct, that would be the yamaha ......

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Which motor to buy?

hahahaha .... you know it .... besides, the extra hp is good ....

I am all for the extra HP but both are great motors. That is why I said about the closest dealership. I have always liked the Johnsons / Evinrudes as that is what my Dad used when I was growing up in England. Only experienced a 50hp Yamaha for a few months. Liked it as well but have always leaned toward the "home" product.

 

[starcraftlegasea]

Re: Which motor to buy?

Thanks guys I appreciate the help.

 

[hitace]

Re: Which motor to buy?

i would say the johnson is much more reliable its just ben around for so much longer they worked out all of the bugs.theres also much more old johny and rudes around so theres going to be easyer to find parts.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Which motor to buy?

both reliable as hell, go with with the 90hp unless you want/need a 115hp (that 115hp yamaha will kill a 90hp crossflow johnson in power output)

My grandpa had a 81' 115 evinrude will 3000+ hours on it with no issues and currently has a 130hp Yamaha that replaced it which now has close to 2500 hours on it with no issues.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Which motor to buy?

I have been an OMC guy all of my life, and always will be, and it's probably all I will buy, just because I know them and love them.

But to say that the Johnson is much more reliable than a Yamaha is just not even close to true. Yamaha makes some of, if not the best engines on the market today and have been making engines for years, all kinds, not just marine engines. They have worked any "bugs" out years and years ago.

There are some people that will only drive a Chevy, but I would hope they wouldn't say a Toyota or Nissan isn't as reliable and they need to work out the bugs. Preference is preference, but quality is quality, can't deny that.

 

[rndn]

Re: Which motor to buy?

It boils down to personal preference. I personnally would buy the Johnson.

 

[starcraftlegasea]

Re: Which motor to buy?

We'll, here is my problem with the 115 yamaha. Although the boat is rated for a 150, I think I may have done my transom rebuild incorrectly. Last year I had brought the boat to a mechanic to have an engine installed and he said that the transom was rotted. The guy told me that the only way to get the transom in would be to stacker the joints (he was right) and then use an epoxy to seal the whole thing together. However, I was told by another mechanic this year that the transom sections have to be in one solid piece across or they loose their structural integrity. I set the boards (two 1 1/2'' pieces of marine grade plywood cut into two sections each thus making a 3'' transom) up in the following fashion.
(rear of boat)
_______ ________________________
________________________ _______

Do you think this setup will hold a 115 or should I opt for less power just to be safe. Here are some pictures: