need advice on used outboard purchase...

[spareparts]

around here, the Yamahas are the most popular, thay have the percieved reputation of being more reliable. They generally cost more outright, usually packaged on more upscale boats, and are usually owned by people with more money and less mechanical ability. These people are more likely to have the shop do whatever it takes to make them run right and generally don't argue over price. They are serviced by the book with no skimping.( there are a lot of parraells here that can be referenced to certain brands of cars as well). The fact that these motors are generally serviced better has a lot to do with their reputation. I take nothing away form Yamaha, they build a very good engine. Depending on the hp and application, they usually rank either #1 or #2 in my choice of outboard power with Mercury. But they are not as good as a lot of people think they are, they break just like every other motor out there. Everyone tells me that Yamaha ignitions never give any trouble, you don't know how much time I've wasted diagnosing a rough running engine by ignoring ignition issues by believing they don't give any trouble. Ignitions are expensive!!!! for Yamahas, with virtualy no aftermarket replacement parts. Yamaha engines don't hold up to salt as well as Merc/John Rudes either. The paint they put on them holds up well, its where you cant see that they corrode(like most Japanese outboards). When we tear down a Yamaha lower unit, we allways get the torch out no matter how clean it looks. teh up side is that Yamaha complete new lower units cost about half as much as Mercurys. Every engine has its plus or minuses, consider the application, how its maintained, availabilty of parts and service, reputation, and resale when considering your purchase. Pay a professional thast familiar with that type of engine to check it out for you, its money well spent. If a good deal came up on a Yamaha, i wouldn't hesitate in buying one. Right now, I've got my eye on a 3.0L 225 carb Mercury that may end up on my V

[spareparts]

bstekel, I have seen some people replace their seadrive engines, reusing the bracket part of the seadrive. I don't know which ones will swap(Skools is the Johnrude guy around here), but if the seadrive bracket part of your motor is in good working order(trim system, steering system, etc), it could save you some money on repower. I had a picture of a latemodel "Eagle" series Johnrude in place of an older seadrive powerplant, but I can't seem to find it. If there is anything questionable about the seadrive bracket part, skip the idea, as there is very little available for parts for them

[bsteckel]

all good info .. thanks

i am making a deal on a flotation type bracket to hopefully help with some of those issues..

but avoiding extra weight would be a plus ..

[THEFERMANATOR]

The issue of weight that WILLY mentioned was my reason for reccomending the 2.0L MERCURY as my #1 pick. They're fairly light for a V-6 and PLENTY of power. I'm not sure on the YAMAHA's weight, but I believe it to be in the low 400's and the JOHNNY-RUDE will be in the mid to upper 400's. The 200 and 225 weighed the same from 86 on up, so there isn't much difference between the two. WEIGHT is your enemy here though, you gotta keep the weight down. I know others here have center consoles with brackets and they all have problems with sitting stern low in the water. The LIGHT V-4 would actually be best for this app, but not greatest for top end. And this is why the 2.0L MERC was my number 1 pick, it is actually lighter than my 140 V-4.

[randlemanboater]

Yeah, do a search for FLBuilder.....he redid a beautiful center console but had problems with it porposing because of the bracket.

I know I have seen several people on here moving gas tanks to the bow and relocating batteries trying to fix the problem on center consoles with brackets.

On the other hand, the cuddys seem to convert over just fine.

Spare has a great idea, hanging another motor onto the seadrive unit. I've seen them like that before also.

[bsteckel]

ok. ... now what years can i find a 2.0 mercury 150 ? are any years better than others?

[THEFERMANATOR]

1978 to around 2000. I would look for one from the late 80's that has the trim pump built in. The early ones use a remote mount pump for the trim and tilt. Nothing wrong with em, just prefer to have the leaner install of the later models. And the later models also came stock with the 40 amp charging system on them from around 88 on.

[THEFERMANATOR]

This one here would be high up on my reccomended list for your application. A 150 would probably be better, but the 135 is the same basic engine. This will give you an idea though of what to look for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-...QQcmdZViewItem

[willy]

Can you guys imagie how much easier life would have been for all of us if we had the computer and a site like this years ago when we were younger and were able to bounce stuff off a bunch of other fellows who had been there seen that and done it.
I was thinking about that this morning

As ususal Ferm is on the mark with the engine info, sounds like that older Merc would be a great candidate
Good luck with your search

[bsteckel]

can't thank you enough for all of the info ... as willy says .. this site is great. you have a way better chance of getting it right the first time... when i was younger with no family .. i could make those mistakes and it was not a big deal..

now with a wife and kids, i can't afford to spend un wisely .. also get tired of hearing about it :)

if anyone comes across a nice 2l 150 merc in the northeast area .. philly, nj, ny .. let me know .. i would be grateful.

Brad