RE: advice on buying a new boat

[sfef84]

Was reading in the RSS feed about tips for buying a new or used boat. They quote a guy from Mickey's Marine:

"

Grove also recommends shying away from outboard motors older than the early 1990s. Many mechanics will not work on older outboards, and they can be expensive to repair."

What an ASININE thing to say.

many mechanics will not work on older outboards... what a retard. Maybe its because new mechanics get a computer diagnostic readout degree and replace via warranty claim.

bunch of BEEEE.....ESSSSSS

[specktater]

Was reading in the RSS feed about tips for buying a new or used boat. They quote a guy from Mickey's Marine:

"

Grove also recommends shying away from outboard motors older than the early 1990s. Many mechanics will not work on older outboards, and they can be expensive to repair."

What an ASININE thing to say.

many mechanics will not work on older outboards... what a retard. Maybe its because new mechanics get a computer diagnostic readout degree and replace via warranty claim.

bunch of BEEEE.....ESSSSSS

Not really.... If you were in the market for a used boat that you plan on running regulary without worry of breaking down, would you consider something pre 1990?
At some point all things have to have an end of life. You can't expect a dealer to keep manuals, staff, up to date on products that are 20 plus years old. It's not just outboards, try taking a Model -T to Ford to have serviced.
Mickey is simply trying to give advice to potential used boat buyers so, if they do make a purchase they will hopefully buy something that will give them years of reliable service.

Also, keep in mind that 1990 was 23 years ago. Thats pretty damn old for ANY piece of machinery, much less something used in salt water that is more than likely been abused by people like me.

My .02.

[Baby Tran Cat]

Also, keep in mind that 1990 was 23 years ago. Thats pretty damn old for ANY piece of machinery

Of course when I see this I am reminded how stinking old I am...1990 was yesterday! Where does the time go...

[sfef84]

I know what your saying. I have twin 70 1988 johnsons on my 18 outrage that have perfect compression, look new under the cowling and push my whaler 40mph at 5600rpm.

Carb'd 2 strokes are 2 strokes. They are extremely cheap to work on, don't require a computer readout to diagnose, are extremely reliable (gas, oil, spark), weigh less but are heavier. A lot of the time, you can buy an old 2 stroke for less than $500 and have a complete parts motor.

4stroke: better MPG, cost hundreds of dollars just to hook up the computer, have to be taken in for oil change, less power, heavier, more electronics (some have electrical throttles that cost $1K)

4 strokes have great warranties but you MUST bring your boat in for regular scheduled maintenance or it is void. Not to mention the computer records absolutely EVERYTHING and if something minor triggers an alarm and you dont bring it in immediately, warranty void. If you rev the shizzle out of it when cold, the history is their.

Plus, most people sell their 4 strokes because they either a) are out of warranty or b) will be in 100 hours. Its like a leased car, someone drives the hell out of it and if something breaks, the part gets replaced but their is a TON of hard use on em.

[Gramps]

Ok, so maybe I agree with the 1990 part but since it is a two stroke anyone can work on it. The only other item I can agree with is parts will become hard to find, but just buy a parts motor. Sure wish I had a carb'd two stroke, waiting on the IT man to diagnose my Tohatsu.

[Rollo]

Stopped by Mickeys for advice on my 87 Evinrude 70h They did tell me they dont work on pre 90,s outboards not because you can't get parts mainly cause they useually are pretty used up,and hard to get apart without threads stripping and bolts breaking all over the place!Did some more homework and have found mechanics who will repair oldies they also rebuild them with 6mths all the way to 2 year warrantys the prices are not unreasonable and I Bought one ,only time will tell if I made a good move or not!

[evansmarine]

To let you guys know, we are known for working on older motors and has been a nitch of ours. Yes it is more expensive because of corroded bolts and hard to locate parts on some, but they are able to worked on. The computer doesn't tell you exactly what the problem is 9 out of 10 times, just gives you a place to start and track down the main culprit. 1 sensor can set off 2-7 more in line on the circuit path if its before the others, so even with computer software it's not a cake walk.

[txkngfish]

I have a 75' ranger with a 75' 115 Evenrude. Motor has been well maintained, finally had engine rebuilt 2 years ago and have about 40 hours on it now. It starts every time and runs great. Probably will put the motor on a newer boat if ever find one. Just depends on what you want. Me older works just fine and whats great no payments.

[finfisher]

1977 Johnson 85
Runs like a top and very easy to maintain.
It's all about the love my Brothers and Sisters

[txkngfish]

Alot of those pickups and cars you could stand by the motor and do a tune up and oil change and have room to spare.

[Charlie]

Was reading in the RSS feed about tips for buying a new or used boat. They quote a guy from Mickey's Marine:

"

Grove also recommends shying away from outboard motors older than the early 1990s. Many mechanics will not work on older outboards, and they can be expensive to repair."

What an ASININE thing to say.

many mechanics will not work on older outboards... what a retard. Maybe its because new mechanics get a computer diagnostic readout degree and replace via warranty claim.

bunch of BEEEE.....ESSSSSS

STEVE!! So you still are alive???

[Swells]

Well ya can't buy a new boat that's older than 1990, I tell ya that!

Used - it depends on how solid the heads are, what kind of deal ya got because some are very cheap, and if you have a mechanic who can play with the carbs once a year. Some of the high-end repair shops might not want to touch an older model. So what?

But many of those older outboards like the Evenrude and Johnson were build like tanks, very strong and last forever, and some treat them like collectors items. You might have to replace everything hanging off it like the solenoid, wiring, and all that, but those sure were stout engines. They don't make them like that anymore!

I hear a lot about the new engines messing up, like blown heads within 250 hours of brand new. To make them lighter and more efficient, they took a lot of steel and metal out of the engine and put lightweight composites in there, which was more prone to warping. That started happening between 1990 and 1996 when California and the EA started regulating outboard engines pretty hard.

Don't get me wrong, those new engines are a piece of work to behold. But on my old clunker 90 I had for a while, you could actually go down to NAPA parts store and buy replacement parts for it. Cheap. Two bolts. What's not to like 'bout that?