Outboards we like

[62_Kiwi]

This is an excellent board with lots of very clued-up and helpful people who know a lot about outboard engines and boating in general.<br /><br />We hear a lot about outboards with problems (as is natural) but not so much about the really good reliable and well performing ones. It's not often that someone will post about an engine when there's nothing wrong with it.<br /><br />I think this can have the effect of painting a scary picture for people new to boating - they hear about a lot of problems.<br /><br />I'd like to ask the experienced members on this board to go "on the record" and nominate their choice(s) of good reliable well performing engines that we don't often hear about in the complaints section - suitable for common applications such as fishing, family boating etc - and what makes them good (why we never hear about them).<br /><br />The best people to answer this will be those with direct experience on a range of engines, but all contributions are welcome.

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Outboards we like

My personal favorites are 2 cylinder OMC's from the 50's to present. I have a real weakness for the 5.5-6, 9.9, 18 and 25's. Rugged, reliable, easy to work on, and cheap. Parts are plentiful, and if they are well maintined will last forever. I consider them the Chevy small-block of the outboard world.

 

[Bear]

Re: Outboards we like

I had a Honda 45, no problems at all until it was stolen. <br />I have a Honda 50 1998 today. Still no problems. <br />I also have a 1965 Johnson 6 hp for the last eight years or so. Huge problems, I once had to replace one of the ignition coils. I also replaced the spark plugs once. The rubber roller at the carb. I have changed the oil three times (don't try this at home)under this period. Thats about it.<br />Very reliable.<br />I had two Mercury 402's, but that is another story.<br /><br />It is the lack of maintence that kills our darlings. The previous owner(s) that is. Yeah, who am I to talk. <br /><br />I'm really sorry for them who has almost endless problems, their time and money. But this was for once about the good experience.<br /><br />Honda, Honda, Honda...<br /><br />/Bear

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboards we like

One coil and spark plugs once, that's consifered HUGE problems? <br /><br />Changed oil once? MOST people do all those, except the coil, every year.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: Outboards we like

What constitutes a good motor? Reliability, performance, cost, parts and service availability...I guess some favourable combination of all of the above. It's easy to say with hindsight which motors have proven to be good over the long run, say the past 10 years but that isn't much help with newer design motors since they don't have the benefit of time in the field. I think it makes most sense to consider older and newer motors separately. Having said all that here is my list:<br />Older motors:<br />1. 1980's vintage Johnson 9.9 and 15<br />2. Johnson 2 cyl 50 (as long as VRO is disabled)<br />3. 1980's vintage Johnson V4's 115, 90 etc (same comment re: VRO)<br />4. 1980's vintage Mercury 40 4 cyl<br />5. Any age mercruiser I/O<br /><br />Newer Motors:<br />1. Mercury 9.9/15<br />2. Mercury 40/50/60 4-stroke<br />3. Mercury 115 efi 4-stroke (really a yamaha)<br />4. All Johnson 4 strokes 40hp and over (really suzuki)<br />5. Mercury V6 EFI 2-strokes<br /><br />There you have it.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Outboards we like

What a great post! I must admit being brought up in an Evinrude dealership may have swayed my thinking but here goes. Not counting the race motors, I have been lucky enough to not have had many problems. And ALL those problems were self induced. On "real world" motors sure, there are things like the power pack going bad just as the summer storm is coming. And it's getting dark. And we're out of beer. And out of bait.<br /><br />As soon as they produce an outboard that doesn't have a warranty, I'm going to buy it! If they are sure it wont break -- I'm in!<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[alcan]

Re: Outboards we like

I don't belive anybody should be scared. All thats going on here on this board is the sharing of knowlage. The more you know about your motor, hopefully the more dependable it will be. When all said and done, all outboard motors are pretty darn good machines. They do alot of work in a fairly harsh environment. Most outboards put up with quite a bit of abuse and neglect. If I have any favorites it would have to be 50's models omc and merc's. <br />motors of my youth bring good memories. Don't get me wrong I like the new ones too!

 

[Bear]

Re: Outboards we like

djohns19, <br />of course it hasn't been huge problems like in HUGE. As I see it there hasn't been any real problems. That was kind of a joke. Sorry. I will change oil next weekend. My Honda always gets proper service, belive it or not. <br />I love both my troublefree outboards.<br /><br />/Bear

 

[12Footer]

Re: Outboards we like

I allways liked Mercruisers. They hold-up well, and are cheap to repair.<br />Outboards, I like the old Johnsons and Mercs.<br />The best Classic motor is the 70's 1150 inline six. What power! What reliability! What quiet operation! What a beasty!!!<br />New outboards, I would have to pick the Honda, due to lack of problems looking to be solved here on this forum. The yammaha 225HPs seem to take to saltwater well.<br />Just my $0.02

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboards we like

Favorites:<br /><br />The little OMC's of 50's through 80's. Love my "lightwins".<br /><br />V-4 crossflow OMC's ("73" and up)<br /><br />In Line-Mercs, 6 cyl. Especially the 1150<br /><br />OMC "King Cobra" 460 cid-Ford based.<br /><br />Mercruiser "188"<br /><br />Suzuki DT-140.

 

[what200]

Re: Outboards we like

As soon as they produce an outboard that doesn't have a warranty, I'm going to buy it! If they are sure it wont break -- I'm in!

<br /><br />Mercury racing division already makes that (sst120 or 2.5 drag). They're sure your gonna melt it before it breaks.

 

[Kiwi]

Re: Outboards we like

I had a '73 Evinrude 65hp Electric Shift. In the 25 years I owned that motor it never missed a beat, always started first flick of the key. I still like the 3 cylinder OMC's in a mid sized outboard.<br /><br />Mike

 

[G DANE]

Re: Outboards we like

Now i read the posts in this forum with great interest for some time. I am really happy there are other odd people like mee. I just never believed there were that many !!<br /><br />There is one time going through almost any post:: If you give your motor the correct maintenance it will last as long as you need it !! The motors not fitting into pattern is usually newer very technical advanced engines, build with errors going to be corrected whan manufacturers get their full knowledge through use. I only know Johnson and Evinrude smaller twins and Mercury Twins, from 70ties through the 80ties. Great Motors, if you run them with a minimum of maintenance, not being blind or deaf, you probably never meet a problem that aint fixable !!<br /><br />Thats not scaring - thats a warranty of value for money

 

[G DANE]

Re: Outboards we like

Sorry, of cource one theme in any post. <br /><br />There is no substitute of experience !

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Outboards we like

Thank you to everyone who's contributed to this topic so far - great posts! Very interesting reading. <br /><br />It seems that with the models mentioned, if you look after them properly, you'll have a good chance of getting the type of trouble free service Mike got from his (wow 25 years)!<br /><br />Out of interest, I looked up some of 1950's OMC & Merc models on http://www.propnut.com (djohns - did you realise the Johnson LightTwin name dates back as far as 1927?) <br /><br />Does anyone know any good sites for looking up semi-old engine information (ones that are not old enough for propnut.com and not new enough for the manufacturer site) ?<br /><br />I'm still interested in more about the best engines that we don't normally hear about - including any of the new high tech ones too.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[StringBox]

Re: Outboards we like

I've been looking to get an older mercury 100 hp,<br />60's to 70's model to match my old restored boat.<br />They are cheap enough and if you look around, you will come across one pretty frequently. <br />I'm somewhat new to outboard engines, but not scared to read and learn, and have done my share of repairs on car engines. How reliable are these older motors?<br />Would it be worth finding one of these motors to rebuild?

 

[DJ]

Re: Outboards we like

Strinbox,<br /><br />They were very good engines. One of my favorites, as previously written, was the 1150 (115 hp.).<br /><br />In the 100 hp. version, the in line six was not at all stressed. It got a little stressed when they pushed it up to 135.<br /><br />These are easy to find, parts are pretty much readily available and there is a great deal of expertise on this forum.<br /><br />Enjoy and happy hunting. <br /><br />By the way, try to find one with tilt and trim.

 

[JB]

Re: Outboards we like

Most of my life I have had, and loved, OMC twins from 3 to 25hp, one 70hp triple and a V4 100hp ('66).<br /><br />The only one that ever gave me any trouble was the big Johnny V4. Only once.<br /><br />Now I own a Suzuki DF70 4 stroke. It is a wonderful engine. I may never own a 2 stroke again.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Outboards we like

I'm on the bandwagon for the "tower of power"<br />'70's inline 6. I personally have a '72 1150<br />and it's built like a tank and surprisingly<br />quiet for it's HP.<br />the local country repair marine mechanic has<br />a completely rebuilt 850 for only $1500!<br />so you can find them at a good price too.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Outboards we like

And the winner is - - - - It is amusing to me that my selection isn't even mentioned in this thread. You may think I'm nuts as I have never owned one and have been boating for over 30 years. Look through the posts at this Web site and how often do you see folks asking "Well - I have this problem with my Yamaha - blah, blah blah." Compare that with "I got this 85hp Force and it - - ."<br /><br />I live in south Florida close to the Keys. Seems like 3 out of 5 engines I see rolling down the road are Yahamas. They must be doin somthing right for somebody.