Outboard Boat Motors?

FLATHEAD

WKR
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
2,297
Is it older model? My 9.8 tohatsu is amazing.
But I’ve only used it two seasons. I have it set up on a 15’ Kaboat a Alaskan model.
2011 I believe. Bought it new.
It did fine for the first year or so.
But like I said, if I dont run it at least once/2weeks it starts acting up.
The last time I took it out it ran good wide open but then when i backed
off the throttle it would not idle, it spits and sputters like it flooded.
Took about 30 min. for it to start again.
Time to re do the carb again.
This has been an ongoing problem for a while.
It also needs a new starter or solenoid.
Put a new water pump on it back in the summer. (wasnt peeing).
I keep saying I'm just gonna get a whole new boat and motor and be done.
 

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,879
2011 I believe. Bought it new.
It did fine for the first year or so.
But like I said, if I dont run it at least once/2weeks it starts acting up.
The last time I took it out it ran good wide open but then when i backed
off the throttle it would not idle, it spits and sputters like it flooded.
Took about 30 min. for it to start again.
Time to re do the carb again.
This has been an ongoing problem for a while.
It also needs a new starter or solenoid.
Put a new water pump on it back in the summer. (wasnt peeing).
I keep saying I'm just gonna get a whole new boat and motor and be done.
Sell it and move up to one of the fuel injected kickers

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 

Shraggs

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
1,589
Location
Zeeland, MI
Yamaha would get preference in the used market, but I wouldn't turn away from a well cared for Merc. And if considering new, I think Merc is outpacing Yamaha currently. And that's coming from a life long boat owner with Yamahas on every one of them and 2 of them hanging off the back of my boat now. Right now, Merc is making more and better power at less weight. Better tech and fuel economy too.

Good on you dad! I love this idea.
I kinda see this trend too, Merc has had to step up their game. When I repowered my outrage, really had to consider weight and the merc came out on top. Would have drop hp to go with Suzuki, Yamaha or Honda. Their plain old but new 4 stoke series is real good.

I think tho for the size boat your looking at, if smaller aluminum and 40-90 class power in general most brands are not jamming technology and therefore less maintenance issues then larger motors can have.

I agree older motors shouldn’t be dismissed, some have known longevity and far less cost to rebuild and repair. My 115 Johnson 2 stroke went 2500 hours of hard offshore use. It was time for major rebuild and decided to repower cause was underpowered in first place.

For your kids, I feel stability at rest casting and netting should be considered. So for me, a smaller aluminum v hull even shallow dead rise I would avoid and consider a flat bottom. No it won’t do 50 on chopped water maybe 20 safely. But having them handicapped for speed to next spot is a trade off I would make given the risks.

Yep I’m older, but at least in these Great Lakes waters and feeder lakes with great fishing, I know and have seen too many issues.
 

Vrybusy

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Messages
295
Location
PA
If you're not already on it, go to bassboatcentral.com and read the forums. If you sign up, any and every question you have will be answered. Great group of extremely knowledgeable people on there!
 

Barse41

FNG
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Messages
12
Lots of good info here:

As stated. Bass boat central has a wealth of information. However, as with anything, beware of opinionated fanboys.

As stated. Try not to get an underpowered boat. They are very hard to sell. Gas hogs.

As stated. Take the boat to a mechanic and get a compression test and hook up to the computer if possible. You may find a boat with lots of hours, but the guys spent a lot of time at idle mapping. Or reading his graphs

As stated. Find out what the local guys are running. And who they prefer to take the boats to and what they specialize on. Around here, it’s Mercury country. Anything else is a hard sell.

And as stated. Do some research on specific model/years. All makes have a couple that are just plain shitty. You could be walking into a money trap.
 

Barse41

FNG
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Messages
12
Also. If you go aluminum. Avoid riveted at all costs. You don’t to be spending time on the water hassling with leaks. Or time off the water fixing them.

If you can, go fuel injection. You don’t want to be wasting time trying to get your boat running on a cold morning. That can suck the fun out of it for a kid. Especially on tourney day.

With that said. Don’t shy away from older champion or ranger with a well taken care of blackmax or yami. If that’s where your price range is. You’ll get a lot better riding and fish able boat. And faster (kids love it). I don’t know your price range or local lakes. That’s another variable.

Hope this helps. Tight lines
 

FLATHEAD

WKR
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
2,297
Those Champions were some nice boats.
I had a little 16' Skeeter with a 90 Merc
that would do 68mph on a calm day.
Didnt want to go any faster in that little boat.
 

Sandstrom

WKR
Joined
Sep 24, 2020
Messages
412
4 stroke and Honda or Yamaha. Never ever a merc unless it is the black Yamaha from the early 2000s! (Merc used a Yamaha power head for a few years). This is from a good friend who is one of the largest pontoon dealers in Minnesota if not the Midwest . Also from any place that I have ever rented a boat from.
Ryan
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
970
Location
Montana
There is no replacement for displacement. I have both Mercury and Yamaha motors. Each has their own purpose, and not to far away are parts and dealer support for both. My older Optimax 225 two stroke is amazing on my river boat. Power to weight and getting on step fast. Not a single issue with this motor and we beat the snot out of it.
I am also biased and prefer 2 strokes: chainsaws, dirt bikes, snow mobiles..
 

Fatcamp

WKR
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
5,798
Location
Sodak
I am a little torn on what to do about my new boat as far as power plant. I have a 1999 25hp Mercury for it now. HD good luck with them but have the time and money to do better.

Split between an older 30-40hp Yamaha or a new 25hp Suzuki.
 

Glory

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Messages
243
Location
Craig, Alaska
I am a little torn on what to do about my new boat as far as power plant. I have a 1999 25hp Mercury for it now. HD good luck with them but have the time and money to do better.

Split between an older 30-40hp Yamaha or a new 25hp Suzuki.
You won’t go wrong with either. The 30 Suzuki is well used on 16-18ft lunds around here.
 

Fatcamp

WKR
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
5,798
Location
Sodak
You won’t go wrong with either. The 30 Suzuki is well used on 16-18ft lunds around here.

Ya, this is a short transom jon boat so 25hp is the biggest I can find from reputable online dealers. Wish I could go 30, but haven't found one.

 

Sandstrom

WKR
Joined
Sep 24, 2020
Messages
412
Ya, this is a short transom jon boat so 25hp is the biggest I can find from reputable online dealers. Wish I could go 30, but haven't found one.

Honda makes a great motor also.
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,194
Location
Alaska
I bought a brand new Yamaha fj60 last year when I saw it for sale in town. It’s still sitting in my shop on a mount ready to go. Eventually I’ll get the jet foot and run it as a 40 jet on a flat bottom lowe tunnel boat.
 

Sandstrom

WKR
Joined
Sep 24, 2020
Messages
412
Ya, and I think they make a short shaft 30, I just can't figure out where to order one from. So many scams online now.
I see you are from so dak, a friend of mine owns boat world in MN. He is a good guy, also I believe he ordered a ton of Honda’s before Covid shut down supply.
Ryan
 

Fatcamp

WKR
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
5,798
Location
Sodak
My FIL gave me a TIG welder. Gonna taken some practice but should make the new jon boat project go a bit smoother.
 
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