Buying a used outboard

[Unclebob]

If you considered me a total newbie to outboards, you wouldn't be far off. I've repaired a few smaller outboards and can change a water-pump, but that's about it.

The lower unit went south on my 1980 Suzuki DT115. It happened on my first trip out, and the engine ran good except for that.  The engine has some corrosion, and its history is unknown. I do know it spent most of it's life in salt water. I don't want to invest much $ into this older engine.

I'd feel much more comfortable hanging a newer used engine off the back, but I've no clue about which models I should stay away from, what to check, and what to expect.

My budget is a measly $2500. Are there testimonial websites out there that can give me a better idea of what to look for? I'd like to find something in the 90-150hp range. Buy off the internet and pay shipping? E-Bay? (yuck). I know this is a big order and a a gamble, but what would you do in my shoes? Sell it and buy a canoe? Invest the money in nice surf-fishing equipment?  Just buy fillets from the fish market?

Thanks for any and all advice, even if it's a reality check.

[Wilson]

Check out what we said on the other post.

If you are interested I can point you in the direction of a used motor guy in the Tampa area, but that's as much as I can help.  I would think that amount would go a long way for a used motor of that size.

[Deck Daddy]

Unclebob, keep your head up. 2500 will buy you a nice used engine, with this patientce is the name of the game. I'd take wilson up on his offer. You wont believe how far 2500 will take you. I've been there. DD

[Radioshop]

Bob, I had the displeasure of dealing with an 83' DT140 for 12 years.  Things were constantly breaking on it.  The lower unit corroded out and, we ended up changing the guts on it.  We didn't have any special tools and it seemed to work fine when we got done.  The other thing is  the Mickey Mouse system used to keep the shifter cable in place.  I can't tell you how many times we'd be docking and the stupid cable would pop out of the socket.  The motor also developed a pinhole leak from the water jacket into a cylinder which fouled a few NGK plugs before we figured it out.  The motor lasted for twelve years because three seasons were spent waiting on parts or, having it out with Suzuki over the said parts.  Do yourselft a favor, unbolt that hemeroid off your transom and get something more reliable and, less expensive to maintain.   That Suzuki motor may be a large factor as to why you got your boat free.  The previous owner may have been fed up with it.

[JimCt]

Unclebob, Any decisions yet?

[Unclebob]

Jim,

Not really. I've been on the 'net for the past 2 hours looking at outboards and trying to get an idea of what I might spend/want. I don't think I'll be putting any money into the Suzuki. There's a local outboard I want to check out this weekend (1987 Evinrude 150XP Lake Motor, Perfect condition w/controls, $2200 OBO).

I'm also considering letting the boat go and investing what few dollars I have in a smaller, more creek friendly boat. The AquaSport still needs a lot of cleaning up and barely fits in my garage.

We'll see.

[JimCt]

Big consideration is the type of boat you and your wife (and son of daughter) will actually use and enjoy.

If this boat doesn't fit with the program don't beat your brains (and wallet) out to simply demonstrate to yourself you can get it in commission.  If it is what you want, take Deck Daddy's advice & wait for the right motor to come along, as it surely will.

   Maybe you've got a customer who needs some restoration or repair work done on his bug or buggy and might have a motor to barter.  Hell, one week of working your magic on a VW ought to get you a motor easily.  Well... that's more or less how you got the AS in the first place, wasn't it?

[JimCt]

unclebob,  Make that "(son or daughter)".  My proofreading needs some improvement .

[Unclebob]

I understand, Jim. Not quite old enough yet to be a Grandpa. I'm only 32, with 2 boys. 2 year old and a 2 month old.

You think a 90hp would be enough to get the old boat up on a plane?

[Radioshop]

More food for thought Bob, the Dania marine flea market is coming up at the end of April.  There's always a deal or two there.

[gotoml]

I just bought a 67 22.2 with a 1987 Yamaha 150. I am considering a newer 175 Yamaha so I may sell the 150. The 150 runs good and I am going to have it checked out by a mechanic. If you are interested let me know. It is in Sarasota.

[Unclebob]

I just bought a 67 22.2 with a 1987 Yamaha 150. I am considering a newer 175 Yamaha so I may sell the 150. The 150 runs good and I am going to have it checked out by a mechanic. If you are interested let me know. It is in Sarasota.

E-Mail sent. Sarasota is not too far to drive for the right deal! Let me know how it checks out and what you want for it.

Thanks!

[Unclebob]

Have a couple of leads on a few engines..

Best I can tell from the ID plate, my boat is rated for 140hp.

Is it safe to drop a 200hp outboard on the back, if the weight of the 200hp is less than (or close to) my old Suzuki DT115?

What about a smaller engine, say, an 88 Special? Enough to get the boat on a plane?

I only have a 30 gallon fuel tank, so that's another consideration. On average, would a 200hp have half the fuel efficiency of a 90hp outboard?

Logic tells me that it takes the same amount of HP to move a boat any given speed regardless of engine HP, so fuel efficiency should be the same between the different HP engines, but friends are telling me different. I think I read on here that GPH can be estimated by moving the decimal 2 places to the left -VS- the HP of an engine. For example, a 200hp engine might get 2GPH, an 88HP would then get .9 GPH at WOT?

If I could get double the GPH with a smaller engine and sacrifice 10mph, I would go that route. I don't plan on pulling a barefooter. But I don't want to be plowing, either.

The DT115 pushed my boat around 36mph, according to the GPS.

As always, thanks for any help.

[JimCt]

Unclebob,

The smaller engine, I'd guess, would give you better fuel efficency.  To put it in VW terms, you can drive at 60 mph with both a bug and a Buick, but the bug will give far greater MPG.  However, if you load the bug up with more weight, you won't be able to hold speed.  Haven't a clue as to how you'd figure what the actual MPG differences would be between different outboards without running sea trials.

Some of your thinking might include how many people you expect to carry and how fast you want to move them.  I'd be a little leery though of putting on 60 HP over the placard rating of the boat.  That 115 pushed you along just fine at 36 knots.  Maybe somewhere about that size would be the best combo of efficiency and power...  Have you talked to gotoml about his Yamaha?

[RickK]

I was looking for an internal wiring harness for my motor and through the search I found a place named Ellis Marine in Bradenton FL.  Reportedly, from other sources, he is the biggest dealer of used parts and motors in FL.  He seemed very up-front with me, telling me that he had some harnesses but wouldn't want to sell them to me because the ones he had came off of sunk motors and would probably be like the one I currently have.  I appreciated his frankness and bought new.  I did talk to him briefly about motors and he said he has plenty to choose from. If someone needs his number, PM me and I'll get it to you.