Had it with the Ole Rude...

[jbing81]

Anyone out there have some websites for new outboards? Ive just about had it with the old '71 Evinrude... Its left me stranded twice in the last two weeks and has cost me almost $600. After a lot of though Ive decided to buy new. Also the 125 is with out a doubt too much hp for my use, any suggestions? I have noticed quite a few other tinnies (17-19 ft) running 50- 90 hp motors, many of them newer heavier boats. Im leaning towards a 60 or 70. Any input would be great!

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

I boats sells outboards, along with e-bay and others. You need to prioritize what you want to do. My little 40 horse on a 16 ft with a lot of modifications works great, but only does 20, with all the extra weight and wind resistance. It did about 25 before the top and 30 gal fuel tank in the bow. My buddy has a 70hp on an 18 ft Starcraft, and it goes fine, but even with a trolling plate, he says it doesn't go slow enough. It's plenty fast enough to ski behind, or tube. Both boats get from one place to another fine. Both are Johnson's. I think all you gain with bigger engines is speed, and fuel consumption. Look in a reputable marina's, they take used ones in on trade and fix them up and resell, and are sometimes willing to resell to someone they know won't come back on them without fixing them. I got my 40 that way and they told me everything they knew that was wrong with it. I fixed it, saved $400 their price, and probably more other places. But I've dealt with them for years.

 

[jbing81]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

thanks for the insight. Ive checked iboats and other sites, however all Ive seen are preowned motors and new under 25 hp, and the selection seems to be limited. Are new larger motors just not sold online? Id like to steer clear of ebay (been burned a few times). I was leaning towards the 60 hp range mainly because most of my fishing is done on the weekends, and Lake St. Clair can be fairly rough Fri-Sun. I have yet to really open up my current 125, most of the time Im just trying to keep the bow above the chop

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

I believe with e-bay you may have to pick them up too. If you want brand new, there has to be some good marina's near you. I'll be honest, I check I boats, and find them spendier than I like. There are some 2011 in I boats, but they say Mercury on them. Those have to be mostly new. The engines I buy have always been used, but a good marina will sell a good quality used or new engine. And with my holiday jet, I've been told I need to keep the bow down in the chop for a smoother ride and more control. I know with Pend Orielle the lake by me, it takes about 5 minutes to blow up, and you'd better be off. The bigger the chop, the slower you want to go. No fun getting waves over the bow. And I did check a few sites, and it may be difficult to buy one online.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

jbing - you want me to check with my local mechanic? - He is great and sometimes has motors kicking around....

Well kickers and motors......

 

[64osby]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Almost any motor can have issues new or old. I?ve heard of new motors sitting in the shop for weeks with warranty repairs. Others run great seemingly forever, minor maintenance must occur to old and new alike.
I don?t know the prices on new motors, but here?s a couple used options from around Michigan

I have been fortunate with the bigger OB's that I have purchased all used. I buy project kickers and don?t have luck with all of them.
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/boa/2562030025.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2578203311.html

http://lansing.craigslist.org/boa/2531753200.html

 

[Starman8]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

$600 in so far? Maybe see it through

 

[jbing81]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

jbing - you want me to check with my local mechanic? - He is great and sometimes has motors kicking around....

Well kickers and motors......

Theres no hurt in asking! I appreicate it! Im kicking myself in the butt right now, I had a '77 85 hp Mariner on my last rig that ran, shifted and looked new! It was rebuilt from top to bottom two years before I bought it. I dumped the package for next to nothing.... Id take that motor across Lk St. Clair without a second thought...

 

[jbing81]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

$600 in so far? Maybe see it through

Wouldnt be a big deal, but Ive only owned the motor for 4 months. Im begining to have trust issues, and when on big water thats not something Id like in the back of my mind. Did I also mention its a Selctric model. Ive looked at the prices for replacement parts for the lower unit and Id sooner sell the thing in running usable condition before any of that becomes a issue.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Some motors hit the expiration date. A good marine mechanic you can trust would be a big plus for you. Also if you start doing a steady business at a good marina, they will want to keep you happy. You will always need lower unit oil for an outboard, o rings for fuel line, impellers, etc. Cheap but an effective way to keep them on your side.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Your '71, as you know, is an electric shifter. I'm not quite sure but it may also have the older points style ignition? Either way, I don't know if I'd throw any more money at it either. However, I don't feel you need to get like a 2005 motor or something in order to be reliable. Shoot, a '73 or newer JohnnyRude will get you out of that electric shifting nonsense and I believe additional improvements were made around '78/'79. Also, I'm not sure when they went away from the choke and went with the primer system but I'll tell you, my '81 has it and man does that make starting easier! So basically what I'm saying is a '79ish or newer JohnRude with good compression gone through by a good mechanic should be very reliable. My '81 is fantastic. As for HP, I don't think I'd go less than 70.

 

[barato2]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

i don't think the lectroshift was on all models of OMC of that vintage. not sure which ones, but my '71 40hp is manual shift.

on points ignition, yeah, i think they had points at least til the mid 70s.....but this not a big negative to me. you can replace the ENTIRE ignition system for less $ than one of the problematic, likely-to-fail-without-notice OMC ignition boxes. (my '89 8hp is on its third, but i got a Sierra box this time and it seems etter qualty than the OEM one)

that said, i'm with EZ.....the # of actual running hours many outboards have on em is tiny (who has time to run their boat even 100-150 hrs/yr?), and any motor from mid 80s on should be reliable and have parts support. a $25 compression testing set from Da Fright will tell you what condition the cylinder bores are in, in 10 minutes and without any disassembly cept for pulling the plugs

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

http://www.lakestclair.net/
Join Lake St. Clair Network, go into othe boating forum and ask around for any local marinas. The guys and gals there know everybody local and can answer any and all of your questions should you decide to repower with a newer outboard.

Good luck

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Too bad you aren't closer. I'm looking to upgrade to something larger for my boat. The Evinrude 100 has been okay, but just not enough poop to get my fat butt out of the water. Whoever gets this motor is going to get a great deal.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

What would be a great deal?? $$$$$ Pugetsound I have a set of Bennett Trim tabs im not using and spent $450 for them they are complete i had them on a glasply 19 ft cuddy cabin they work GREAT.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Hmm new outboard what brand?
On the west coast I see almost all yamaha and honda's, few merc and few susuki.
I would be partial to a 60hp honda if you do not need to water ski.

If I had the money I would convert my i/o to twin 60hp honda's.

But the e-tec from evinrude would be a tight contender in my book.

Good luck you might find a nice used one and save some $$

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

I'd sell the o/b and controls for $500. It has a new starter, new fuel pump/filter assembly, and compression checks out at 100psi x 4.

 

[jbing81]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

Ive been looking at a few E Tecs. Stuck between a 60hp and a 75hp. I went on a test ride yesterday, Tracker v175 with a E Tec 75hp. The boat ride was really nice, a good amount of power and was really responsive. Considering the Tracker comes factory matched with a 90 Merc I was pleasently surprised! This makes me wonder if the 60 will be more than enough? If I remember correctly the Tracker weighs more than the SC SS?

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Had it with the Ole Rude...

I saw about a 18' hewes craft with I believe a 50hp honda out in the ocean this year, he was moving along ok.
I rode in a 17.5' crestliner when I was a kid with 115 rude and that thing would fly, I remember the old speed meter in the dash would hit 50mph who know what the real gps speed was.
Its all about speed and hp. If you don't water ski I bet a 60hp with the right prop would do fine.
What is the cost difference between a 60hp and 75hp, are the motors the same weight.
Of course a 60hp e-tec is going to be faster than a 60hp 4 stroker. I am guessing 60hp e-tec will run right with a 75hp or 80 hp 4 stroke. Just a guess.