25 hp gamefisher

[foots]

I purchased from sears in 1997 a new 25 hp gamefisher outboard. unlike most 25s, this one has 3 cylinders, It is still the best outboard I have ever had as it always, and I mean always, starts an the first pull. Even after sitting up for periods longer than a year. Anyway, I noticed a long time ago that there is an air restricter plate on the carb. A fairly large one. Can any of ya'll tell me why? I have recently discovered that it was made by Force and I must admit to being very happy about that. I have not been able to find much info about this motor and curiousity is getting the best of me. Are there other props available for this motor? [my thinking being bigger prop, more power to turn it, therefore remove the restricter plate] or am I way off base here?
Anyway, thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

ive never heard of a 25 gamefisher

 

[steelespike]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

I don't have any info on force for 97 but I have to wonder where they would get a 3 cylinder 25/30 hp that close to their demise.I figure it may be based on a Yamaha 30. I don't see any other small 3 cylinders in my limited liturature.Force usually uses Tillotson carbs.And SAE fasteners.Yamaha uses metric fasteners and possibly their own carbs.I couldn't find a reference to their carbs.
My info doesn't date to 97.
If that seems to be a restrictor plate I say take it out and see what you've got.

 

[foots]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

Hey Spike,

Thanks for the info! What I have been able to find out according to the Gamefisher model year guide someone posted on this site is that it looks like 1995 is the only year that is was made.[the guide only goes to 96 so I don't know if what I bought was a hold over from 95 or if it was indeed made in 97] However, the restrictor plate is bolted flush on the carb throat by 2 screws. It is not on of those plates that is an inch or so in front of the carb.[I have seen them in the past also, I guess to deflect critters from entering the carb when running w/o the cowling on ?]

I would give serial #s but at this time I am at work[lineboat capt.] on the miss. river @ cairo, ILL., and won't be home for another month or so.

Thanks again for the response!

 

[steelespike]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

I did a little research found a 3 cyl. Force 25 hp 96-98 probably where the 3cyl. Sea King 25 came from.
Apparently a pure Force motor.At least it doesn't share
a head gasket with Suzuki or Yamaha.

 

[foots]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

Thanks Spike. appreciate your time.

 

[itstippy]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

I have heard of outboards being factory-fitted with restrictor plates to bring them down to 25HP. Restricted waters in Alaska and elsewhere are limited to 25HP, as are some smaller boats (US Coast Guard Rating). So to sell more motors the manufacturer would outfit some more powerful motors with restrictor plates to make the 25HP market available without retooling. I don't recall where I heard this, so it may be bunk, but it sounds legit. Do what Steelspike says, pull that plate off and see what you've got. And let us know the results.

 

[foots]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

hey itstippy,
will do this as soon as I get off this boat. believe it or not, I am still on the job since the first posting of this thread. should be off before christmas and looking forward to family time. but will definately post results when i have them. thanks for all info and interest.

john

 

[foots]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

If you take off the force name and put gamefisher on this motor it would be identical to mine. Everything is the same.
In the second photo you can see the restrictor plate i'm talking about. This is the only shot i could find and although you can see it, a straight on picture would really show how much of the carb it covers.
Third picture. Count them, 1-2-3-cylinders. This particular motor also happens to be from 97, just like mine. I found this motor at smalloutboards.com.
Just wanted to try to show that I'm not nuts.
More when I find out something.

john

 

[foots]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

New info on an old thread. I included a couple of pictures of my homebuilt jonboat. They are actually old ones as the boat is now red and carpeted. Pictures include the 25 Gamefisher. It STILL runs like a top. I had to replace the impeller this year and bought a 10" x 14" pitch 4 blade solas prop from Iboats. I removed the restrictor plate but really can't tell much difference. Maybe a jet size increase would benefit with the increase in air flow. Don't know and truthfully don't care at this point.The rpm's have fallen a bit with the 4 blade prop but the boat handles much better and the tiller doesn't try to pull my arm off anymore. I know that with me and my son in the boat, with a 3500 watt generator, the outboard, gas for both, my over head light system made with 2" square pipe (for bowfishing), marine deep cycle 12v battery and trolling motor and container for the fish we stick, it weighs 900 plus lbs. With the 3 blade prop is goes 22.7 mph. (GPS) Don't have anything to compare this to so don't know if it is good or not, but I am satisfied. Haven't tested the 4 blade yet but suspect the top end would not increase by much if any, as it is not a speed prop. Anyway, just happened to think about this old thread and thought I would update just in case anyone was interested.

john

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

cool john mon, your force looks like a merc

 

[prostovanka]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

"the tiller doesn't try to pull my arm off anymore"
I have same motor & when Ever going full speed it feels like it wants to turn 1 way and have to push REALLY hard the other way. How do you fix that?

 

[windy5849]

Re: 25 hp gamefisher

Hello and Welcome.You have to adjust your trim tab(looks like a little rudder above the prop).If your motor is pushing harder to the right,turn the trim tab a little to the right.If pushing to the left,turn trim tab a little to the left.Move a little at a time and test after each adjustment.Hope this helps.