Expert Advice Needed - please help!

corkscrew1

Recruit
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
3
Ok, I need some advice on what path I should take. I have a 1997 Macgregor 26 X with a 97' 50HP Outboard on it. Had some issues and the shifter broke. Replced that and the engine does forward and nuetral only....no reverse...but throttle works fine. My mechanic says that it's "probably" the lower unit. He says from what he can tell the engine is cleans, sounds good, and is worth the repair. Engine looks good to me. It will cost me about $1250 for a new lower unit (if anyone knows of a cheaper rebuilt one or somewhere less, please let me know). Plus maybe $100 in labor.

My other option is to downgrade my HP to a 9.8, which most sailboats in my range (25 to 35 ft) seem to have. I found a tohatsu (2004 or 3005) Brand new, still in box. Was a special order and the guy never picked it up. Electric start with 20" shaft with tiller. was about $2k...they are selling it new with full 3 year warrenty for $1200.

Any thoughts? What would you do?

1.) Is the 2003-2005 Tohatsu a quality, well made engine? For that price?

2.) Would it be worth the gamble to just try and fix my 50HP?

3.) Would my old 50HP have a resale value if I tried to sell it on ebay or somewhere?

4.) My current 50 is hook up to the wheel and also has control box. Seems the wheel connection would fit as it sits now....remote would need to be replaced. Thougths? how much are the 9.8 control boxes? Am I correct that the current wheel connection is simple to hook to this? Looks just like an adjustable bar with a bolt.

I guess my thoughts are this. I am not so concerned about the drop in HP. I'd rather have a more reliable engine that I don't have to worry about what will go wrong next. But my 50 does have more HP and control, rudder etc already hooked up.

Please, thoughts pro or con?
 

corkscrew1

Recruit
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
3
Re: Expert Advice Needed - please help!

oh, and one last thing with a 9.8 HP on a 26 ft boat (1700 pounds) - about what would the MPH cruising speed be?

I mean I'd really like to be about to chug at 5-10 MPH without gunning it.
 

hondon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 11, 2001
Messages
1,922
Re: Expert Advice Needed - please help!

50 horse what? This may be as simple as a misadjusted shift shaft.
 

hondon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 11, 2001
Messages
1,922
Re: Expert Advice Needed - please help!

Okay,now that we know what we are dealing with,lets get started.Are you able to access and view what you have going on with the shift shaft coupler?That is the coupler nut and locknut located at the hole just below the bottom of the swivel bracket.If you are able to do that shift the unit to reverse so that you can access that coupler and disengage it.Shift the gearcase manually and see if you achieve all three gears .If so ,great,you have just ruled out a failed gearcase,which is rare,and will need to start from scratch with that coupler nut.
 
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