Motor in need of love

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billyshears

Cadet
Joined
May 15, 2003
Messages
26
I have a 1993 Bayliner Trophy with a Force 120 (don't laugh, it is my first boat and I didn't relize Force could be a problem). I know, not all Force is bad. But this is my first experience with a boat and Force has left a bad taste in my mouth. The question is: To rebuild myself, or buy new motor? I am very good with engine work, but I do want a bigger motor down the line. Here is what is happening with my motor: I took it out for a day and the motor worked great. But the next time it wasn't the best. I got the boat up to speed and then all of a sudden, with the trottle at full, it dropped to an idle then stalled. It will only start with the boat in neutral and full throttle. I can't take it down to an idle or it will stall. I checked the compresion and it is fine in 3 cyclinders, but one of the cyclinders is 30#'s. So, is it worth rebuilding? I found a rebuild kit for just over $800. Is that a good price? It is more in my price range than a new motor. But I do want to get a bigger motor in a year or so. Do I eat the cost now? Or spend less and fix what I have? Will it last a year or two if I rebuild and take care of it from the start? Also, what kind of price can I get for it when I do go to sell it? Will I just make back what I spent to rebuild? If so, is it worth it? <br />I know that is a lot of questions. And I know most of them involve opinions. But I am looking for anyones opinion whos been in the boating world longer than me, which is most everyone.<br /><br />Thanks.
 
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dkondelik

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
643
Re: Motor in need of love

'mornin' billyshears,<br /><br />as you may know, support for Force is going away. merc got out of force a while ago so all that is left is adwindling aftermarket and used parts from salvage yards. Force also has a reputation as a high maintenance, low-reliability, entry level motor.<br /><br />all of that said, if you rebuild and try to sell, you'll likely get less for the motor that you'll have invested in the rebuild kit. this is not necessarily a bad thing. lots of folks would do it as a "labor-of-love" or just to see if they can breath new life into a dying machine.<br /><br />But,..... from a purely financial perspective, in my opinion, you'll be ahead-of-the-game if you opt for replacing this motor and parting-it-out on e-bay.<br /><br />best of luck to you
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,764
Re: Motor in need of love

And the cost of the rebuild kit is only the beginning. There will probably be machining costs and some additional parts to purchase. Also, waterpump, fuel pump, and then there is the tilt and trim unit. These are expensive, regardless of the brand.<br /><br />If your boat is sound, I would repower now. You can recover some of the cost by parting out the old one and selling it on ebay. Sell it in small sections, lower unit, electical, carb, controls, etc.<br /><br />Click the "Outboard SALE" icon on the bottom of this page to see what iboats has to sell. They have financing available too.
 
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