Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

[Douglas K]

Am looking at 1990 Force outboard 909 hp. Don't know much at all about "Force". What can you tell me about the quality of this make engine? thx

 

[roscoe]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Some models were "ok" at best.<br />THe 1990 90hp still used the old USMarine lower unit and a poor tilt n trim unit, were prone to overheating and thus powerhead warpage and failure.<br /><br />I would steer clear of it unless it is in remarkable good mechanical condition AND you can get it for cheap ( $400).<br /><br />You could easily drop a grand or more on carb work, waterpump, and electrical parts, so get it checked out by a mechanic before you buy it.<br /><br />And remember, if it isn't dirt cheap, run away from it.<br /><br />P.S. I own a Force.

 

[JB]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

It might not be too bad if you never needed parts.<br /><br />But, you will need parts eventually.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

And as JB mentioned, keep this in mind, Force is no longer being made (Thank GOD) . Also as much as some people might want to say that these motors are the same as Mercury motors, Force motors are the old Chrysler motors from the 60's, 70's, and I think early 80's. they require a lot more maintenance then most other 2-strokes. Personally, I would stay clear of any Force motor for if nothing else, the availability of parts and people that will work on them as time goes by.<br /><br />Just my thoughts.<br /><br />Craig

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Put it this way, of all the well known modern outboards, Force would be at the very bottom of my list(and most everyone else's too I bet!).

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

The later the model year, the better off you are with a Force, because of the many modifications made by Mercury. My 1998 90HP has 150 psi on all three cylinders and will plane my 16 footer at 45 mph. Not bad. In my experience, it has been a good ( and well maintained) motor.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Doug,I have 2 words for you.RUN AWAY!!!!!!!

 

[Douglas K]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Thanks to everyone, I think I will steer clear of this one!!!

 

[Mercathode]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Good move Doug..

 

[97trophy]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

I would like to provide some information that I have recently learned. The later years of Force engines were made with Mercury parts, i.e. force gear case=mercury gear case. According to mercury they had two product lines, Mercury and Mariner. They wanted to consentrate on one product line, so when they aquired Force, they continued to build , putting the Force name and then eventually disconinued the product.

 

[97trophy]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Mercury aquired Force-U.S. Marine-Chrysler-West Bend when they purchased the rights to Bayliner. They were looking at keeping the price as low as possible on engines for the Bayliner boat line as they were looking at an introductory package for boaters. The Brain Trust that came up with that idea eventually decided that as they made improvements(?) to the old design the manufacturing cost was approaching that of the Mercury label. Then they decided that it made no sense to keep the Force production line going with marketing and manufacturing costs. I think it also had to due with other manufacturers slamming the Force engines and the confusion over it being a Mercury. It was about the same time as the Quicksilver logo was being replaced with the Mercury logo. The old Chrysler label was really not a bad engine...but, it was cheap. And the people who tended to buy it were usually not into spending the money on maintenance. THINGS FALL APART Hence, the poor reputation. And it wasn't what I would call rugged anyway.

 

[dennisrhall]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

my feelings on a force outboards, i'd rather had two good paddles, i bought a 1988 VIP bass boat with a 1988 50 hp force already on it. it only two trips to the lake and i had my mercury changed from my runabout to the VIP. im not an expert on boat motors brands but i do know i do not ever want to own a force eng. for those who like force engs. i got one for sale.

 

[sort]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

Had a 1996 Force 90 on a Skeeter SS90. The engine never would run right and when the Mercury tech looked at it he discovered that the engine did not have a head gasket....and had shipped from the factory in this configuration. Mercury did not deny the problem and even covered the repair on the engine and it was several years out of warrenty. I was the third owner and was surprised to hear that the prior two owners had not had any problems with this boat...but they did trade it for another Skeeter... <br />Kinda amazing that the engine would even run.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Force Outboard - Good or Bad?

The prior owners just figured that because it was a Force that it was not supposed to run good.Charlie