Mercury 9.8 hp?

[briantroy]

Found this for sale 60 miles away. The seller tells me it is a 9.8 hp, 2 stroke but he doesn't have any idea of the year. I have heard these Mercury outboards are among the lightest available. I would really like the 9.8 hp, but I cannot lift heavy objects due to a health condition. Any idea of the year/weight? I've also heard these are extremely reliable outboards so it might fit all my needs. He is asking $475 but I don't want to drive the 60 miles unless I plan on buying. Thanks!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

This really belongs in the Merc-Mariner Forum.

It's about a 75-76 time frame. I had an 85 and a 7.5 with that decal design and it was only used for a couple or so years. The engine will be right at 69 lbs with a carrying handle right at the front with it sitting with the prop down on the pier. I used to have a 10 hp when I was in my teens and it was no problem to transport it from the car to the pier to the rental boat.

Main thing on that old of an engine is to install a new impeller in the water pump and maybe a new water pump. Impeller is about $10 and the whole pump is about $60. Next thing is to put new oil in the lower unit. Plenty of how to's on this site. I have written a couple dozen myself.

Other than that, fresh gas and TC-W3 Marine 2 cycle oil at the ratio of 1/2 pint to 3 gallons of gas and you might throw in an extra 1 oz per gallon of Sea Foam fuel/engine treatment to clean up any carbon deposits the engine surely has since it was built back in the days of leaded fuel.

If in good shape the price is excellent.

Mark

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

I've got the Identical motor on the Panfish Slayer. Very reliable, easy to start and runs strong. Good on gas also. Just do the maintenance stated above and you'll have a nice motor for years!

 

[briantroy]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

Thanks guys, that's a big help. I have also seen a 9.9 hp 1975 Johnson that looks to be in good shape for the same price. Is the Johnson any better/lighter? Seller claims less than 100 hours.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

Thanks guys, that's a big help. I have also seen a 9.9 hp 1975 Johnson that looks to be in good shape for the same price. Is the Johnson any better/lighter? Seller claims less than 100 hours.

I don't have any Johnson catalogs but you might go to the web site "old-omc.de". He has sales brochures for '75 engines and you can pickup the weight there. Johnson survived the test of time. Merc just out did them. I left the badge back in the '70's and have been running Mercs ever since.

Mark

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

The Evinrude/ Johnson 9.9 and 15 are 70.5 pounds.
If you can use the 15 at about 4lbs more weight might be useful.
I do believe the 9.9 and 15 have a little more parts availability both factory support and individual vendors.

 

[briantroy]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

Wow. 15 hp for only 4 more pounds. Do I have that right? This is what I plane on using on:



I cannot find any info on this particular RIB as it was only made for a year or two. I don't think 75 pounds would be an issue. Do you?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

Thats right the E/J 9.9 and 15 are the same basic motor at 70.5 lbs They even use the same props with the 15 turning more rpm.
The small inflatables tend to fade fast when you start adding weight so a 15 may be a good idea if the boat can handle it.

 

[briantroy]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

Thanks. Looks like I will be on the lookout for an E/J 15 hp. I should be able to handle the 70 lbs without an issue. I spoke with a salesman from JP Marine a few minutes ago and he said they only sold this model/style RIB for 2 years. He didn't have a spec sheet, but assured me that an 80 lbs/15 hp outboard wouldn't be a problem.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

What size is the rib?Do you have a brand name and model?

 

[briantroy]

Re: Mercury 9.8 hp?

I am driving 60 miles into Mexico to buy this RIB tomorrow. The seller only speaks Spanish, and my Spanish isn't that great so it's a little hard to communicate details. The seller isn't sure of the year, but the picture shows it is a JP Marine/Yacht Series. I couldn't find anything on this series, so I called JP Marine (they are a local company here in San Diego) and they said the small Yacht series RIBs were only made 2009-2011, they have a fiberglass hull, 10 hp outboard is suggested but 15 hp @ 80 lbs is OK, and came in 9.5 ft and 10.5 ft.(seller isn't sure of size). The RIB looks great in the picture and the seller claims to have only used it 3 times. It has been advertised on and off for 3 months and the price has gone from $1700 to $600. I'm sure they are having a hard time selling because nobody wants to drive that far into Mexico. It doesn't bother me at all, I travel into Mexico all the time and I have a speed pass for the border crossing and don't have to wait in line. I plan on deflating it and loading into the back of my cargo van. $600 seems like an absolute steal for this RIB. Your thoughts?