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Looking to buy a bass boat and what motors should I avoid and what motors should i go for?

N

nxopr

New member
Some motors are mercury force and some are older evinrude. just want a perspective and opinions from people who know more than me. just looking to see what brands/models i should avoid and some that might be worth putting some money into repairs im buying most of these motors with the boat listing . or i can buy a boat separately and motor separately but only ones i have seen were from 1970s mercury.

motor : Evinrude xp 150 from maybe 1989
condition:
$1500

1989 20ft javlin 396 bass boat project

Evinrude xp150 with aluminum 3 blade prop, turns over and starts but fuel pump nipple broke off while replacing fuel line will need new one or glued on, was in process of replacing all rubber lines, Needs bilge pumps,





motor: Mercury force 150hp

condition:

The motor is not locked up and spins free without plugs in it but has a weak starter so that will needs replaced. The coils and cdi boxes seem to work since it has spark on every cylinder.


motor: mercury force 85hp

condition:

300 hours on engine in odometer

I rewired the whole boat wire by wire.
Engine was ran by screw driver to the starter on the engine. Reasoning on why I rewired the whole boat.
Steering wheel assembly was taken out due to fuse box. Still have all parts and screws. Finally the throttle assembly the plastic piece to forward is broken which you can 3D print a piece or purchase any mercury throttle assembly.


motor: mercury xr2 black max


does not run and not started for 4 years +
 
You are talking about engines that are 35-40 years old! They all ran good when they were new....Without understanding the condition, no one can recommend which one to buy. As Racer would say, " I can't touch your motor". Avoid Mercury/Force, that marriage never worked and are obsolete now. Mercury has done their best to NLA / obsolete older parts or price the remaining available parts into the stratosphere. Evinrude is out of business but some parts are still available. Plus, no one wants to work on them or has the equipment or skill sets required.
 
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I would go with the Evinrude.----I would not even try and start an 89 motor without a complete evaluation first.----Likely tear it down for new O/S pistons.----If you can do that work yourself it would be the easy choice.----Also 35 year old boats need a full inspection.
 
nxopr said:
Some motors are mercury force and some are older evinrude. just want a perspective and opinions from people who know more than me. just looking to see what brands/models i should avoid and some that might be worth putting some money into repairs im buying most of these motors with the boat listing . or i can buy a boat separately and motor separately but only ones i have seen were from 1970s mercury.

motor : Evinrude xp 150 from maybe 1989
condition:
$1500

1989 20ft javlin 396 bass boat project

Evinrude xp150 with aluminum 3 blade prop, turns over and starts but fuel pump nipple broke off while replacing fuel line will need new one or glued on, was in process of replacing all rubber lines, Needs bilge pumps,





motor: Mercury force 150hp

condition:

The motor is not locked up and spins free without plugs in it but has a weak starter so that will needs replaced. The coils and cdi boxes seem to work since it has spark on every cylinder.


motor: mercury force 85hp

condition:

300 hours on engine in odometer

I rewired the whole boat wire by wire.
Engine was ran by screw driver to the starter on the engine. Reasoning on why I rewired the whole boat.
Steering wheel assembly was taken out due to fuse box. Still have all parts and screws. Finally the throttle assembly the plastic piece to forward is broken which you can 3D print a piece or purchase any mercury throttle assembly.


motor: mercury xr2 black max


does not run and not started for 4 years +
Click to expand...

I bought a new 85 HP Chrysler 3 cylinder.....company that Mercury marine bought out and named Force and had it for a few years....family was growing and went to a bigger rig after a couple of years. It was a very simple engine and had no problems with it.

I bought a new Johnson 125 in 1972. Had it 7 years and the only thing I replaced was spark plugs and went to a SST OMC prop when they came out in 1973. Wonderful engine. Both engines were cross flow combustion and liked their gas.

My son had a Merc. Black Max 150 (loop charged combustion....good on gas) he bought used and had it for awhile. Never complained.

So with my experiences with all you listed, I'd say it's a crap shoot. Having had several Loop charged engines, I'll say that the crossflow engines were less temperamental, and better on the first start of the day when not used very often......but you paid the pice at the gas pump.
 
Force/Mercury were basically what was left over from Chrysler, (started about 1964)...purchased in the mid 80's...really not bad motors. I still have a few around here from 3.5 to 25 HP, however....I am a pretty decent outboard mechanic.
Agree with Racer....Johnson/Evinrude, then Mercury. Yamahas, Suzuki, and Honda are pretty good too. Make sure previous owner used non- oxy fuel...often known as "recreational fuel".
 
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