Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

[Tnriverluver]

Looking at several used aluminum bassboats. Several that I like have Force outboards (40hp) . Good to go or run away?

 

[zopperman]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

I have a Chrysler (predecessor of force)

Very easy to work on... Parts are a little tough to find since they're out of business, but I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker... I'm looking at a force 125 for my boat

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

Wouldn't be my first choice. Been discontinued for over a decade. I'd probably run one but I wouldn't pay as much for it as for something with a Johnson/Evinrude/Mercury/Yamaha etc.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

It would be a deal breaker for me, especially when you have a choice. Some owners have no issues with them, but I am sure most will run away fast, I did. If you read up a bit, you will see what the issue's are, and then you can roll the dice or not. There is a reason they are not being made anymore.

 

[geratur]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

Hi, I ran a 1995 9.9 force by Mercury for years, and it started first pull every time, and never had an issue with it. When I had the same questions regarding it, I discovered the part numbers for components were identical to the mercs.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

The reason Force engine line was discontinued was twofold: Merc already had an entry level engine with the Mariner brand (which was simply a rebadged Merc) and the force block was a very old design, straight crossflow and difficult to make meet coming emissions regulations without a complete redesign.

Before 1994 the engines were almost completely Chrysler/Force/ AMF Brunswick. (which either bought Merc or Merc bought them in the early 1990s) After 1994, they were refreshed a bit with Mercury ignition systems and Mercury lower units.

SO: are Force engines a dealbreaker? It really depends upon your attitude. They have a "rep" but they don't break down any more frequently than Merc, OMC, Yammy etc.

However, because of the bad rep, you would expect to pay less for a package with a Force engine on it.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

I have a 89 Force/Mercury and it performs well, pretty darn reliable, but some parts are hard to find, NLA.

If the Force boat is the same price, or only marginally less, than a JohnnyRude, Merc, Yammie equipped boat, I wouldn't buy it, not worth the hassle. Now, if the boat were 1/2 price, maybe. Just understand that when something breaks, you are going to have a tough time finding parts or fixing it. Normal maintenance parts should be easy to come by; fuel pump, water pump, carb kit, but ignition or other hard parts could be a challenge. Some shops (from what I've heard) won't touch a Force.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

The reason Force engine line was discontinued was twofold: Merc already had an entry level engine with the Mariner brand (which was simply a rebadged Merc) and the force block was a very old design, straight crossflow and difficult to make meet coming emissions regulations without a complete redesign.

Before 1994 the engines were almost completely Chrysler/Force/ AMF Brunswick. (which either bought Merc or Merc bought them in the early 1990s) After 1994, they were refreshed a bit with Mercury ignition systems and Mercury lower units.

SO: are Force engines a dealbreaker? It really depends upon your attitude. They have a "rep" but they don't break down any more frequently than Merc, OMC, Yammy etc.

However, because of the bad rep, you would expect to pay less for a package with a Force engine on it.

I was waiting for you to chime in

 

[Tnriverluver]

Re: Mid-late 90's Force Outboards?

This helps a lot! Been out of boating for several years due to health issues and Force hadn't been around long before that. They definately had a bad rep. back when I was a competitive bass fisherman but wasn't sure about the Chryler- Merc deal. This answers a lot of questions. For the right price on a boat that I really liked I wouldn't care about the motor crapping out as I would gladly repower with a new four stroke. I generally keep a boat for many years if it is a good trouble free design.