which new 90HP motor to buy?

[raygun]

my 1986 90HP Evinrude is toast. The crank recieving splines are gone and the driveshaft splines are chewed. not willing to spend 2grand (just in parts, probably 4 grand repair bill)on a new crank and driveshaft or do the pressfit the socket deal when a 2003 johnson is 5300 bucks. TIME FOR A NEW OUTBOARD. What do you folks suggest? I'm thinking to just replace it with a 2003 johnson/evinrude of same size. This motor ran great for 15 years and i don't have to change my controls much, but i would like to hear folks opinions on the others. My boat is a 1986 Boston Whaler Montauk (17ft) Are the yamahas worth the extra dough? what do you get for that extra dough? Any input is appreciated.

 

[DJ]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

Raygun,<br /><br />The '03' John/Rudes are built by Bombardier. I would buy one in a heartbeat.<br /><br />If your old engine was a crossflow, the newer design will perform a bit better.<br /><br />If you go Ficht, your fuel economy will be MUCH better. I wouldn't worry about the Ficht, Bombi, has it figured out. The V-4 Ficht's weren't as troublesome as the V-6's, even when OMC made them.<br /><br />Just my opinion.

 

[raygun]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

thanks for the input. good to hear some positive stuff on the bombardier folks. i am pretty sure my old motor is a long shaft. i looked at the evinrude and johnson websites and all they show is the 2002 models and neither one has a 90 long shaft.??? is the FICHT going to be to complex for me to do my own maint.? i think the carbed johnson isn't much different than what i have.

 

[JB]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

Howdy, Raygun.<br /><br />Your simplest solution would be to go with the Bombardier 90. DFI (used to be Ficht) or carbs. No worries about warranty or reliability.<br /><br />On the other hand, many other Montauk owners and I have gone to the Johnson/Suzuki DF70 4 stroke.<br /><br />Go to www.continuouswave.com Go to the classic Whalers forum and do a search on repowering Montauks. You will find input from a lot of Montauk owners who have repowered.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />

 

[JB]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

Howdy, Raygun.<br /><br />Your simplest solution would be to go with the Bombardier 90. DFI (used to be Ficht) or carbs. No worries about warranty or reliability.<br /><br />On the other hand, many other Montauk owners and I have gone to the Johnson/Suzuki DF70 4 stroke.<br /><br />Go to www.continuouswave.com Go to the classic Whalers forum and do a search on repowering Montauks. You will find input from a lot of Montauk owners who have repowered.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[WhalerMatt]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

If you are used to carbs, I would recommend a Honda 90 - I put 450hours on one in just over a year and didn't have any problems until I inadvertantly ran 5 gallons of saltwater through the combustion chamber - but that is a whole story in itself... It still ran after that - just a little rough. Great motor - I owe my life to it!

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

bomb raised there prices a little this year but the big question is how do you use the boat if you troll the honda would be the best choice if you want to get the max hp/weight ratio=speed the fitch would be the better choice if price is the issue there are deals on 2002 fitches rite now or super deals on honda scratch and dent from factory all with the three year non declining warentys check out hondamarinedealer.com/calumetmarine look in the internet special section

 

[raygun]

Re: which new 90HP motor to buy?

thanks JB for the awesome link. I wish i had known about it last year when i took over the maintenence on this boat. Great stuff. I think i am going to go with the 90HP johnson. seems like the best motor for my boat and its use. I want the extra cubes and extra cylinder for the torque and i like the idea of a motor that is mid tuned as opposed to at the edge of its powerhead's performace capabilities. ie. the yamaha 90 which is the same as 70. the 90 johnson is the same as the 115. and i like carbs. i have 3 of them on my old alfa. Now to shop around for a good deal. anybody with any suggestions for a good dealer? i live on bainbridge island, Wa near seattle. thanks for the great help!