70hp

[CNT]

There's a boat I am interested in (that is for sale), and I ask for photo of the yellow capacity label (below). Since it's 70HP capacity, there isn't much 70HP to buy, at least NEW? I do notice some older outboards have 70HP (all major brands?).

Correct me, Evinrude bought out Johnson Outboards, and now there is no longer Johnson Outboards brand? Anyways, that boat has a Johnson Tracker 40HP (and Tracker trailer), should be good enough to dry your hair? I wouldn't be able to afford to buy any NEW outboards anyways. So, if I was to buy a different outboard, the best next step would be 60HP 2-stroke, right?​

(NEW)
Mercury makes... 65, 75, 80, 90, …
Evinrude makes... 40, 60, 105, …
Yamaha makes... 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 90, …

That boat has all pedestal seats. So, do those become wobble when adults sits on it and going full power? I am thinking I should make a "4-legs" post to fit under those seats (yet turntable)? Even the Captain's seat behind the helm is pedestal.

Lastly but not least... why Tracker are condemned? Forums put Trackers below Alumacraft (and many say to avoid Alumacraft if possible). Not that it may stop me from buying it, just want to know what's up with that? Are Trackers riveted (again, not that I am worried about it, many boats that I used were riveted). Are "Tracker" same as "Bass Tracker"? But, when we're talking about speed boats (water skiing), I can't stand looking at Bayliners, but that's me.

Since this boat takes 6 people, and in order to do that, it would be best to get 60HP max (to balance the weight and power thrust on the transom)? Again, it comes with a 40HP, would that even push 6 adults comfortably (to dry their hair)?

Bass Pro Shop isn't a bad place to shop? They sell Tracker boats too. Are Trackers owned by Bass Pro Shop?

I never had to buy/own a boat before. I always had few boat to use though.

 

[racerone]

Evinrude and Johnson were both part of OMC .-----Now BRP.------The Johnson name was dropped in favour of the Evinrude brand.----Perhaps they will market Johnson again...---Many parts for Johnson / Evinrude were the same.

 

[CNT]

Evinrude and Johnson were both part of OMC .-----Now BRP.------

I kept seeing BRP around a lot lately... hmm.

 

[TyeeMan]

I have a friend that worked at a dealership that sold Tracker boats. Basically said they fall apart. That being said, it all depends on how the boat was treated.

Nothing wrong with riveted boats. I've owned Lund boats which are all riveted and have never had a problem.

OMC was the parent name of Johnson and Evinrude. Long about 1996-1999 OMC sold to BRP. The Johnson outboard turned into a 4-stroke which was essentially a re-badged Suziki, that only lasted a few years and the Johnson name was dissolved.
Evinrude turned into what it is today, a high tech fuel injected outboard.

A few years prior to the OMC/BRP sale, OMC invented a pretty high tech fuel injection system branded "Ficht", they ran this system on the Evinrudes, Johnson's remained carburate. Rumer has it that fuel injection system is why BRP purchased OMC. The fuel injection system eventually made it's way into Ski-Doo 2-stroke snowmobiles and BRP watercraft.

I'm fairly certain that Bass Pro shops owns Tracker boats, which I'm also fairly certain now owns Starcraft boats as well.
My bud that was in the business said he could see the decrease in quality of the Starcraft boat as soon as Tracker purchased Starcraft.

 

[CNT]

I have a friend that worked at a dealership that sold Tracker boats. Basically said they fall apart.

Well, thank you for your reply. Makes sense I wouldn't want to buy a boat that is known for falling apart. Since I am "new" on used boat market, I real appreciate the feedback. I will now take this in consideration, start looking at maybe Lund (sigh). Even I know myself if I buy "any" boat, I would take care of it and maintain it, but still, I would rather start off with a "best bang for buck" boats.

As I asked in other thread, I got few comments. Wish I would have more comments, like perhaps a (bias'ed) website that would explain (in layman's term) brands, along with which years to look for...

Starcraft, Starweld, Sylvan, SmokerCraft, are all good, and are made in the same factory.​

Alumacraft, Lund, Mirrocraft, G3, Grumman, Lowe, and Crestliner, all make decent aluminum fishing rigs.​

Are those specifically fishing boats, with or without helm/steering wheel? Some of have mixed types, including fiberglass and speed boats. So far, looks like I want a aluminum, v-hull, 17'-ish, helm, and so on.

The problem is this one Tracker boat looks perfect, meaning has more walking floor (all the way from back to front and then little step for the front). I couldn't find that many boats like this specification.(and even the yellow capacity label allows 6 people on that boat). Below was the boat I was interested in, does Lund have this floor plan?

 

[CNT]

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/d/oak-creek-lund-pro-v-hp/6978974148.html
$4,000 for this!?

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bod/d/abrams-2004-starcraft-mercury-75/6989867447.html
That boat looks OK... too pricey for my budget.

 

[JimS123]

Yes, Evinrude bought out Johnson. That was in the 1920's. The new company became OMC. In more recent years OMC switched Johnson to 4-stroke. Around that time Evinrudes went to Ficht fuel injection, which was so bad and had so many problems, that they went bankrupt. (Other reasons as well) BRP rescued the company, didn't want 4-strokes, thus the Johnson brand was dropped. Current Rudes are fine.

Nothing wring with a riveted aluminum boat. The problem with Trackers are that they are built with poorer materials and the workmanship is lousy. That's why they sell cheaper.

Most people keep a boat for a relatively short time and then upgrade. Thus, nothing wrong with a Tracker cause you won't have it long. Also, plenty of used 3 cylinder JohnnyRudes on the market. Best motor they ever made,

 

[CNT]

Sorry this is leading to "engine topic" (in this "not engine topics" thread). Since I still haven't bought a boat yet, this gave me some time to research in the boating world.

Back to 70HP... (basically 3-cyl, 2-stroke, with some having oil injected)

Looks like if I buy this Tracker boat (regardless bias on those boats), I am feeling I would swap the outboard right away (as money permits). Since this boat is 70HP capable, why not get the max. I am also looking at some 60HP too. So, if I was to buy a used 70HP outboard, I am asking what would be the good years/brands/models to look for. Guessing 1980's and up (to end of 1990's) would be "best bang for buck"? Is there a trick in looking up through serial numbers? Websites (since most are without user specs manuals)?

Seems Yamaha would be the best for these older year range? Seems should stay away from Mercury (in those year range), unless it looks good (well kept and well maintained)? I am Deaf, so I will need to rely on electrical instruments (timing, engine pops, etc?). What instruments should I have (I don't have any electrical meters)? I do have compression kit.

If oil injected comes included, should I leave it as is (use it as intended) or removed it and start the old fashion gas/oil mix? If happen need to overhaul or replace parts on used outboard, should replace the oil pump/lines to make sure to ensure proper continuous gas/oil mixture?

Last (but not least?), price-wise? I see people selling it for $700-ish and up to $2,000. Better to buy the $700 and spend money on overhaul the outboard (that way it's taken apart, looked at, and done right)? Or is it "if it works, don't fix it"?

I haven't learn how batteries work on boats. I am seeing most boats have two batteries (would that be 12V system or 24 volts?). One for motor and one for boat? That would be my next course

Basically, I need to just buy the boat, then learn hands-on! I am so used on auto mechanics, and boats are quite different!

 

[mr 88]

IMHO your putting the horse before the carriage. Don't worry about engine/capacity until you actually own or are ready to pull the trigger on a boat. Who knows ? the boat may come with two batteries ,starting and house and the HP may be more than you need regardless off hull's HP capacity.

 

[ahicks]

I remember reading at the time that BRP bought OMC, who was in dire straights financially, to get that early fuel injection system as well. Good or bad, it was the only 2 stroke fuel injection system around at the time, and they did start using it in their sleds soon after.

Too, OMC owned several of the alum boat manf's during the 90's as well. The Lowe and the Grumman boats for sure.

Anyway, I wouldn't totally condemn Trackers. There's a chance you may trip across one that's been really well maintained and stored in a garage when not in use. Something like that should last quite a while if looked after carefully. They do use really low quality carpet, and the quality of the wood used in the floors and transoms may not be up to par. That's where my focus would be checking one out. Looking carefully for weak spots in the floor, or a transom that twists when you step on the back of the motor would both be telling of the boat's condition. If at all possible, if the maintenance history of the boat does come into question, you might want to weigh it to see if water logged foam flotation is not an issue as well. Replacing the floor isn't THAT big a project for a determined DIY'er, but adding the removal of waterlogged foam to that project can add a pretty significant amount of time to that project. YUK! Waterlogged foam can be a "gotcha" on many different boats, is not a problem unique to the Trackers.

Last, if looking for a boat like this, stabliity can be a big issue. They made some pretty narrow "bass" boats. With nothing much to grab onto as you move around in the boat, you better have a good sense of balance (sea legs) when stepping into or out of one of those. I'd MUCH rather have something with at least a 6' beam in this size range. That's me though, FWIW.

 

[briangcc]

Ohh boy....can of worms....

Ok...you asked...


My wife, who until she met me had never been on/around a boat, can rip a Tracker to shreds in minutes. Fit/finish/appearance. The ones I've seen up close look like a 2 yr old assembled them. Ripples down the sides, welds that look like my son gooped something in there, thru hulls that aren't finished correctly. Yes they are that bad.

As for batteries, usually (1) unless you have a trolling motor then its typically split into (2) banks - one for boat & motor and the other dedicated solely to the trolling motor.

 

[CNT]

and the HP may be more than you need regardless off hull's HP capacity.

ha ha ha :laugh: the problem is I know myself... and I am a guy who like to push speed/torque to max. Example, 80MPH is just my average driving speed. Interesting that when I attempt to push my GMC truck pass 100MPH, the truck itself must have a chip to lock 100 as max allowed by the manufacture (and I should be thankful for that barrier chip, otherwise I may go 120MPH and then wrap myself with debris).

Looking carefully for weak spots in the floor, or a transom that twists when you step on the back of the motor would both be telling of the boat's condition.​

Did you just say to stand on the cowl? The seller would be swearing at me! Could you explain how to "test" for that? Do I stand behind the outboard, and hug it, and dance it, to see if it moves? Rattle the outboard? Should I ask the seller to go in the house and get me a glass of water, while I jumping around the boat? I don't use my sledge hammer very often.

I just feel like talking today, alright.

 

[CNT]

Ripples down the sides, welds that look like my son gooped something in there, thru hulls that aren't finished correctly. Yes they are that bad.

Perhaps I just cover the "Tracker" decals with "Lowe" label, would that help? I think I am fighting against obligatory (boats that just pass the law's minimum checklist)? Anyways, the seller (as he said so) kept the Tracker in garage in 22 years, used the boat seldomly. I haven't actually looked at this particular boat yet (it's little out of town). I will real look along with measuring/inspection tools.

 

[racerone]

??----No you put your foot on the exhaust housing at the back of the motor.----Where the lower unit bots on.---An easy sure way to check condition of transom.----Does not take much force to see flexing of a weak transom that way !!!!----No flexing on the transom I just repaired and waiting for spring to finish that work.

 

[CNT]

About a month ago, I was looking at a Lund from CL. Good thing I came right after it snowed. When I arrived there (seller wasn't home, even he acknowledged I was coming), right away, I didn't want it. As you can see the photo, he let all the snow in the boat, so where would the water go when it melts?

 

[JimS123]

There used to be a boat down the street from me that was cared for just like the one in the snowy photo. It sat beside the house uncovered for at least 3 years.

One day I happened to ride by the house on my bicycle and noted that the boat was in the garage and a whole bunch of people were working on it. Polishing, vacuuming, washing, tire shine, etc, etc. A few days later it was back in the driveway having the engine tested on muffs and and boy did it look nice.

I happened to see the ad on CL. The boat was now for sale and it was listed as meticulously maintained and always garage kept. I would bet dollars to whhosits that the boat's core was rotten.

You can't always believe what you hear.

 

[jbcurt00]

It would go out the open (hopefully) drain plug hole, like its supposed to.....

 

[jimmbo]

I would be more worried about the Seats being exposed to Sunlight for so long, than snow melting

 

[ahicks]

Nope. I said stand on the back of the motor - as in the part that hangs out over the propeller. Watch to see if the transom gives when you do that. If it does, it's likely shot. Again, not a huge job for a determined DIY'er, but you would want to take that work into consideration when trying to figure out what the boat is worth - or - just walk away from it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Trackers are tinny equivalent of Bayliners

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