New motor

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

I have a 1993 Kyot pontoon. It has a 40 horse evinrude. I was having some isue last year and brought it to the marina. They said the engine has a bad cylinder and is on its way out. I'm looking for a new motor.
I found a 1987 Checkmate 175 with a 115 Yamaha. The boat is rough but owner says the engine is amazing. I was thinking about buying it to repower my boat. He is asking $1500. The marina advised against a motor of this age. Advice on swapping for this motor? Is is a terrible idea? There aren't many used available near me and don't have the funds for new.

Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

Location? salt water?
Salt water use on a 40+ hours motor??
Myself I wouldn't buy as just about every bolt/screw will break off when turned.

First thing do a compression test, then a spark test.
Check gear oil for water. If it's new oil? then he might have changed it because of water.

Oh yea: Welcome

 

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

Upstate New York in adirondacks (Schroon Lake). Most likely has been in fresh water its whole life.

Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

Then that might be a good buy.
The Yam uses only Yam shifters and their cable, wiring.

Like I said, comp and spark tests.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

Then that might be a good buy.
The Yam uses only Yam shifters and their cable, wiring.

Like I said, comp and spark tests.

Thanks. I'll try to get over there to test it out. Sice it's a whole boat for sale it will have all of the controls to set it up.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a 1993 Kyot pontoon. It has a 40 horse evinrude. I was having some isue last year and brought it to the marina. They said the engine has a bad cylinder and is on its way out. I'm looking for a new motor.
I found a 1987 Checkmate 175 with a 115 Yamaha. The boat is rough but owner says the engine is amazing. I was thinking about buying it to repower my boat. He is asking $1500. The marina advised against a motor of this age. Advice on swapping for this motor? Is is a terrible idea? There aren't many used available near me and don't have the funds for new.

Thanks

you want to unbolt a 40hp motor and bolt on an older 115hp motor.

first, what is the transom on your pontoon rated for? do not exceed this rating.

even if the 30 year old pontoon is rated at 115, how is the structure?

if you dont know your rating, you can look here: http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Kayot/bp/20br2298

$1500 for a 36 year old motor is a lot of money. you will need to get longer cables and a harness extension to use the yami on a pontoon. you may also need new controls as the checkmate would be a side mount control, and your pontoon will most likely need a top mount

 

[racerone]

They do not do a lot of boating in January in New York state.-------So a 40 year old , fresh water motor from that area could be a great deal.-----Might be a better motor than a 5 year old Florida , salt water motor.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

you want to unbolt a 40hp motor and bolt on an older 115hp motor.

first, what is the transom on your pontoon rated for? do not exceed this rating.

even if the 30 year old pontoon is rated at 115, how is the structure?

if you dont know your rating, you can look here: http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Kayot/bp/20br2298

$1500 for a 36 year old motor is a lot of money. you will need to get longer cables and a harness extension to use the yami on a pontoon. you may also need new controls as the checkmate would be a side mount control, and your pontoon will most likely need a top mount

The controls on my boat are a side mount attached to the railing. I agree $1500 is a lot and was thinking $1000 would be my target if all checks out. How hard is it to get longer cables and harness extensions if i need them?
There aren't many used motors for sale up here and not looking to dump a fortune on new

 

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

They do not do a lot of boating in January in New York state.-------So a 40 year old , fresh water motor from that area could be a great deal.-----Might be a better motor than a 5 year old Florida , salt water motor.

Boat season up here is pretty much May-October. If it has belonged to a part time resident probably half that time. This year the lake was frozen until mid april

 

[racerone]

If folks have a good 40 year old motor to do some fishing / cruising in your area, why would they sell it ??----Most new motors also require 100+ / hr dealer support.----

 

[BoatyMcBoatface4]

The controls on my boat are a side mount attached to the railing. I agree $1500 is a lot and was thinking $1000 would be my target if all checks out. How hard is it to get longer cables and harness extensions if i need them?
There aren't many used motors for sale up here and not looking to dump a fortune on new

The boat is rated for 115 max. Its not my dream to have a huge motor because the 40 moves fairly well and was pretty good on fuel but beggars cant be choosers

 

[ThomW]

You said the checkmate was a 1987...do you know what year the Yamaha is? Could be newer than that...or could be older. Get the model/serial number and figure out what year motor you are actually looking at. I am from upstate NY and a motor from Schroon was most likely only seasonably used. Most places on that lake are seasonal. They come up around memorial day, and are packed up by September--even then, they may not be around all summer. Could be a good deal...could not be a good deal. The only way to know is checking the motor out...compression, gear lube, spark...etc. See if you can have them hook it up on a hose so you can see/hear it run. Anytime you buy a motor that old it is a gamble...but sometimes gambles pay off.