Which engines would anyone recommend?

ademelo · Jul 10, 2003

I'm debating between 2 boats to purchase.. one has a 1997 120 FORCE BY MERCURY OUTBOARD engine, and the other has a , I believe 1987, 3.0 Mericruser I/O engine.... This will be my first boat and would like some help! Thanks, Ana

Trent · Jul 10, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Forget the FORCE!

elpaso · Jul 10, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

A Force outboard is junk - buy anything but. Had two - worked on 20. The 3.0 L is a good engine - but not much power.

knights · Jul 10, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Just an opinion, Evinrude, Johson OMC, easiest to troubleshoot. I have pulled in brand new Mercs, mine is a 1973 Evinrude fast when I need it,old 2 stroke, no VRO to deal with. I/O isn't really a beginners boat. But Force is not reliable, problematic with injectors but they look good.

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Ok, I'll scratch the Force & possibly the Mercruser engines, what about the Volvo or Chevy V8 engines? Any good? Thanks for the info! Ana

Spidybot · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

You will be able to find 'lovers' and 'haters' to all brands. If you get a well maintained, still exisitng brand with a service point near you, you will be better off than with the opposite. Any, ANY, engine not serviced and looked after will become a piece of j*nk, sooner or later.

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

UU, Good point! Thanks, Ana

Doug Durako · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Make sure the owner can rattle off all the maintenance work that's been done on the boat---If he can't, walk away. You can hire a mechanic to survey the boat. Personally, I would buy and I/O with as much power as you can afford. Don't buy without spending some time in the boat on a sea trial driving the thing. Many of the posts you see out here are from people who did not know what they were buying and ran into trouble the first few times out in their "new" boats.

rogerwa · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Don't throw out the Mercruisers as a whole. The 3.0l is only one model of the Mercruiser line. In fact the 3.0l may be a very good fit depending on the boat and the intended usage. I have a 17ft Sea ray with the 3.0l and it suits my needs very well. It fits in the garage, its easy to work on, gets great mileage, and so far has not let me down yet.. I also owned a Force 50Hp. It never failed me, yet I never fully trusted it either. It was stinky and could be tempermental.

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

ddboater, The owner mention the following: Mint condition, fresh water only, professionally maintained,quickly reaches plane status, interior replaced 2 years ago, As for the power: All I know is it's a 181 Cid Chevy engine 3.0 Litre Mercruser, with aprox 500 hours. Thanks for your reply! Ana

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

rogerwa, It's a 1987 17ft Sylvin Bowrider - 3.0 Mericruser I/O. I basically want a boat to have fun with the kids with. That's all. Nothing for racing purposes. Maybe I shouldnt worry to much about the power? I'm new to this that's why I thought of asking first.

thanks, Ana

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

ddboater, The owner also mentioned: The boat had tune ups (oil changes in engine,lower unit and performance.)And was winterized/unwinterazed. Ana

Doug Durako · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

That's a lot of hours for "mint" condition. Look at the maintenance records carefully. Any problems with overheating, water flow restrictions, manifolds, risers, etc.? Read the posts here for common problems. I'd get a mechanical survey. Then, take four of your friends out and drive it for an hour. Even if you don't buy it, you will have something to compare to when you drive the next one.

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

ddboater, thanks for the feedback. I've asked the owner for a complete list of services performed on the boat.

Pending that. Another question, I've seen another boat, 1990 20'6" Chaparral Bowrider V8 5.0 L, would this engine be a better choice? Ana

rogerwa · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Sounds like basically the same setup I have. Last weekend I had four adults and four small kids in the boat with two in a tube and it performed just fine. This is more than I like to have but they are small adults. In any case, it took more time to plane, but never more than 4-5 seconds. My rig with two adults and four small kids and a 19P prop will cruise at around 25Mph. Top speed is close to 38. When I'm alone, I'll be in the low 40's. You need to make a choice which is better, I/O or OB. I/O's while easy to amintain engine, the running gear is more expensive to maintain and run. Also, winterizing an I/O is a much bigger deal and more frequently has disasterous impacts. I like the I/O because it is quieter and less finicky than OB's I have been around. These are my experiences and I know I have made tradeoffs that others might not agree with. YOu really need to test drive before you can make any decision..

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

roggerwa, Thanks for the input as well.

Hmmm,I never thought of an OB. Time to look into them. Thanks again, Ana

ademelo · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

rogerwa, What setup do you have?

Doug Durako · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Ana---BIG difference in those two I/O boats----size, weight, room, trailering, power, how they handle on the water, etc. Great test if you can drive both. You can also compare maintenance and how two different owners took care of things. For price comparisons, check out the NADA site for boat values, the Kelley Blue Book for boats, and several on-line classified ad services for boats. Good luck!

Spidybot · Jul 11, 2003

Re: Which engines would anyone recommend?

Just wanna squeeze in my 2 cents: Outboards are developed over time to be exactly what they are: Very reliable marine motors. In/Outboards are marinized auto engines. Access for repairing or replacing/removing an outboard is much easier. If you need to repower your choise of outboards is wide as any will hang on any transom, regardles of outdrive cutouts etc. IO's take up room inside the boat. The mpg, vibrationfree and lownoise running benefits from an IO is met by modern 4-stroke outboards. Weight distribution is better with IO's, total weight is lower with outboards. The regular worries with (older) inboards' exhausts/manifolds/risers/heatexhangers/freezing coolants/hoses are non-existant with outboards. Depending on taste, inboard boats are more sleek designs. Outboards often are more trailerable as they tilt higher. The inboard runs in a closed compartment. Not common to have explosions or fires under the hood, I know. But I had one, years ago, that nearly blew my 4-yr old son and me out of this world. It's an experience that lasts

Which engines would anyone recommend?

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