MONTAUK: Engine Weight; Honda Outboard Engine Experience

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Author Topic:   MONTAUK: Engine Weight; Honda Outboard Engine Experience

scott3294 posted 11-19-2014 04:25 PM ET (US)
Hi. I am looking at purchasing a Montauk, and I found a [1991 boat] that I am taking out for a spin on Friday. One thing I have picked up (from reading this site over the years and recently found it again after tooling around it in the early 2000's) is that transom weight is a big deal. The boat I am taking out has a jack plate and a [1999] Honda 90-HP. By my rough calculations this is probably nearly 100-lbs in extra weight on the back compared to, say, a new E-TECH 90 with no jack plate. What should be the at-rest waterline at the transom? I will check it out when I am in the boat.
boatdryver posted 11-19-2014 05:59 PM ET (US)
My 1979 Montauk with a 2002 90-HP Honda outboard and no jack plate sat with the splashwell drains about 1-1/2-inch above the water, which was about 1-1/2 inches lower than the Montauk with a Johnson 70-HP two-cycle outboard in the next slip over. Mine had two batteries in the console, and nothing else aft.
Get ready for differing opinions on placing a modern 390-lb four-cycle outboard engine on the transom of an old boat designed for a lighter motor. I operated my Montauk in the moderate chop of San Francisco Bay with light loads and in a smaller more protected bay with heavy loads, and could not find any fault related to the weight of the 90-HP Honda motor.
JimL
wezie posted 11-19-2014 07:55 PM ET (US)
The 400-lbs-engine will create more bow rise. It will also lower the transom, allowing following waves to more easily come aboard and say Hi. It will be more difficult to get the bow down at low to medium speeds. You will love the Honda, and not like the weight (of these forced-technology engines). Good Luck.
scott3294 posted 11-19-2014 09:19 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the information. What is the opinion on the late 1990's Honda engines? I have always heard great things about them, but all of my boat engines have been two-cycle engines, with the last one I owned a Mercury OptiMax 135 in 2005. I am very curious to spend some time with (and perhaps own) a Honda outboard.
jimh posted 11-20-2014 12:58 AM ET (US)
No one ever says, "I put a four-cycle engine on my boat and it was too heavy." Once you buy into the extra weight of a four-cycle engine, you will rationalize its affects as having no significance.
jimh posted 11-20-2014 01:32 AM ET (US)
Re HONDA's older generation outboard engines from the 1990's, they tend to:
--be heavy and overweight
--give poor performance
--be massively huge and grotesque in size
--be reliable
--lack modern features and design, such as fuel injection, valve timing or cam phasing, reduced weight, dry sump oiling, NMEA-2000
--use carburetors.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 06:14 AM ET (US)
Ok, Jim, don't hold back, how do you really feel??
:-)
Scott
Alan Heckman posted 11-20-2014 07:18 AM ET (US)
After you go for a test ride in the Montauk with the 400 lb Honda on it do yourself a favor before you make your decision. Try to get a ride in a Montauk with a lighter outboard on it such as a Yamaha F70 at 260 lbs., a 2 cycle Yamaha 90 also 260 lbs., a Mercury 2 cycle 90 at 305 lbs., or an ETEC 90 at 320 lbs. This will give you first hand experience as to the effects of a 400 lb. outboard on a Montauk 17. My personal experience is that lighter is best. Good luck in your search.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 09:15 AM ET (US)
Thanks Alan! I have pretty much figured out from all of the posts I have read on this sight that the E-Tec is the right choice. I have a quote from a dealer to re-rig the boat with a 2015 E-Tec. I am probably just going to go that route. I know it may not be the most practical approach, but I just feel much more comfortable with a new engine and I have the budget for it right now. I might get good life out of the Honda or another older engine, but I have an irrational, perhaps, bias toward NEW when it comes to outboard motors. :-)
Scott
saumon posted 11-20-2014 10:11 AM ET (US)
Ok, we're not talking of a choice between buying a 1999 Honda 90hp or a new engine, but rather to replace a perfectly working 1999 Honda 90hp by a new engine for no reason.
You know it doesn't make sense, right? You'd be better to put that $10k of savings in a separate account and run that Honda till it blow, which can well happen in 15 years, or later...
As jimh said, they're reliables and, even if it's not the latest technology, an already paid-for engine can't be beat.
Sure, 100 lbs more in th back isn't optimum, but real-life conditions rarely are. When you bring two buddies fishing, you easily add 500 lbs...
jimh posted 11-20-2014 10:23 AM ET (US)
SAUMON's comments are right on the money. If you want to wind up with a MONTAUK with a brand new E-TEC on the transom, buy a boat that has some 25-year-old smoking two-cycle that barely runs from a less reputable brand. Don't buy a boat with a fairly new four-cycle Honda engine and get rid of the Honda for a new engine. The only way that makes sense is if the asking price of the boat with the Honda does not really represent the true value of the Honda.
If you frame the question as "what's better for the MONTAUK, a heavy older design four-cycle or a lighter and more modern engine," the answer is simple: get the lighter and more modern engine. But financially it won't make much sense to get rid of that Honda. If you take good care, the Honda will run for a long time into the future.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 10:47 AM ET (US)
So, absolutely the responses I thought I would get. So here is the market situation...I have found a beautiful 91 Montauk with a 2007 Yam 4 stroke for $17,500. I have found a beautiful 96 Montauk with a 96 Evinrude for $12,500, I have found a "nice" 89 Montauk with an 89 Yam 2stroke for $7500, and a "nice" 91 Montauk with the Honda for $8,000.
I have budgeted for the $17,500 boat, but I am leaning toward the 91 with the Honda at $8,000. The $17,500 boat is almost pristine (a 10), but if for the same money I could have a "7" and a new E-Tec...well, that is my dilemma. I am not overly eager to part with the extra $9K for the new E-Tec, but I also like the idea of having much fewer maintenance headaches. Call it PTSD of having been around old outboards my whole life...I am gun shy of any used outboard. Warranties are a GREAT thing!!
jimh posted 11-20-2014 10:53 AM ET (US)
The good news on removing the old Honda: it should be easy to find a buyer for it.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 11:25 AM ET (US)
Thought the same thing Jim!!
saumon posted 11-20-2014 01:42 PM ET (US)
scott3294, if there's ads for the various boats (like Craigslist or Boattrader links) and you want to post them there, you'll get a lot of opinions from very knowledgeable Whaler experts.
Peter posted 11-20-2014 02:54 PM ET (US)
"I have found a "
I would buy the "nice" 89 Montauk with an 89 Yam 2stroke for $7500". The 1989 Yamaha 2-stroke will probably out live you. It's one of the best outboards Yamaha has ever made. The fishermen in remote villages that make their living relying on an outboard motor use a commercial version of that motor called the Enduro. It's a great engine for a Montauk.
Binkster posted 11-20-2014 02:57 PM ET (US)
Don't assume just becuase it is a Honda outboard it is bulletproof. I recently drove from Tampa to Biloxi Miss. to check out a 50hp 2007 Honda I bought from Ebay. The engine was supposed to be lightly used only in fresh water on a pontoon boat. It did look like a freshwater motor, but it had water in the crankcase oil. I was refunded my down payment, and for my trouble for driving 1000 mi. roundtrip, he gave me the binnicle controls and the wiring harness.
Check out that Honda, whole they have a good reputation generally, obviously some have problems.
rich

Dave Sutton posted 11-20-2014 03:52 PM ET (US)
"The 1989 Yamaha 2-stroke will probably out live you. It's one of the best outboards Yamaha has ever made"

^^ THIS, "with absolute enthusiasm".
These are likely the best engine ever put on a 'Tauk, certainly the very best conventional 2 stroke ever put on one. The only thing I would prefer would be a new 90 eTec. But even so, when (if?) my 2 stroke Yamaha dies, I'll be buying a new one in the Bahamas, where they are still marketed, as they are simple, light, reliable, and easy to service almost anyplace.
I would never buy a 'Tauk with a 4 stroke larger than 70 HP. Even then I would prefer a 2 stroke. These light boats love light engines.

Dave
.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 04:03 PM ET (US)
Looks like I missed on the $7,500 one, it sold yesterday.
Here are the ones still in the running:
http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/bod/4759833867.html
http://savannah.craigslist.org/boa/4754637626.html
http://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/4735163274.html
And there is the 1996 for $12,500 with the 96 Johnson on it that is still available but the add is no longer up, but here are the pictures.:
https://1996whaler.shutterfly.com/pictures/8
The convenience factor comes into play here as well...I will be in Savannah this weekend. the $8,100 boat is in Savannah, the $8,900 is in Hilton Head, and the '96 with the pics is about 90 miles north of Savannah...so all three in striking distance. The $17,500 one is in south florida...so not nearly as convenient.
Thoughts??
DVollrath posted 11-20-2014 05:11 PM ET (US)
For being advertised as a "10", that $17500 boat sure has some neglected wood. Seems a bit overpriced to me.
Dennis
Dave Sutton posted 11-20-2014 05:24 PM ET (US)
$17K for a used 'Tauk is silly-money.
The fact that the Yamaha 90 2 stroke one sold ought to be a lesson in desirability. Wait for another: They aren't uncommon. And that price was about right.
If it were me? I would slow down, watch and wait, and be ready to buy the first decent one with a 2 stroke Yahama 90 that I found. If while waiting I found a reasonably priced eTec 90 powered one I would look at that as well.
You can keep the 4 strokes, and the days of all of the old 2 stroke Johnsons and Evinrudes has long since passed.
I put my money where my mouth is, with (2) 'Tauks, both with the 2 stroke Yamaha 90's. They are a great combo.

Dave
saumon posted 11-20-2014 05:48 PM ET (US)
You didn't risk anything by politely ask Dave if would agree to part with one of his two Montauk... ;-)
saumon posted 11-20-2014 05:59 PM ET (US)
...and I'm only half-joking: I bought my Outrage 17 the exact same way, while it wasn't even for sale.
scott3294 posted 11-20-2014 08:43 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the great input! This is exactly what I was hoping to get from this site. You guys are pretty awesome!!
Scott
Binkster posted 11-20-2014 11:18 PM ET (US)
I just bought a Yamaha C60 for my 15 footer. Is the (C) commercial, designation the same as the Yamaha Enduro.
rich
tedious posted 11-21-2014 07:56 AM ET (US)
Scot, I'd go for the Honda one, for $8K, in a heartbeat. Since you're mostly committed to a new motor, it's all good - you can try it out, and if the weight bothers you or the motor proves unreliable, get the eTec. The carbed Honda is going to give you decent mileage, although perhaps not as good as a more modern EFI motor, whether 2 or 4 stroke.
The classic two-strokes are light, powerful, reliable, noisy, smelly, and relative gas hogs at trolling speeds. If that combination of characteristics appeals, go for it!
Tim
scott3294 posted 11-21-2014 08:06 AM ET (US)
Thanks Tim. I am taking the Honda one out for a spin this afternoon.
Scott
Peter posted 11-21-2014 08:38 AM ET (US)
"The fact that the Yamaha 90 2 stroke one sold ought to be a lesson in desirability."
Exactly. When you see one priced right, you need to act quickly.
scott3294 posted 11-21-2014 08:45 PM ET (US)
Well, right or wrong, I am now a member of the Whaler family!! I bought the one in Savannah with Honda engine. It turned out to be a a really good price. The hull has more nicks and scrapes on it that you can really see from the pictures. The owner was great and we had a great discussion, when it was all said and done, I hooked it up to the Jeep and parted with just $6,000.
The engine seems to run ok, we'll see how it does. I also know I need to become pretty good at gelcoat repair!!!
All in all, I am happy with the boat and really content with the price. It was funny, the owner was really sad to part with it, but she had not used it in a couple of years and she knew that was not a good thing. Happy to see it go to a good home!
My 10 yr old son is REALLY happy to have a boat to go fishing in!!
Thanks for all the advice and opinions...this is truly a great site. Now, I have a couple hundred questions to ask....
Scott
jimh posted 11-22-2014 08:36 AM ET (US)
That sounds like a good deal. You'll have a lot of fun with the new boat. When I was ten years old I would have loved to have a MONTAUK, and your son will have a great time with that boat.
saumon posted 11-22-2014 08:57 AM ET (US)
It looks like you made a really great deal. As previously mentionned, don't be too quick to replace that engine, you may like it. If it hasn't run much on the past few years, except for your test ride, a carbs overhaul may be in order.
boatdryver posted 11-22-2014 09:55 AM ET (US)
Some of the later carbureted 4 stroke engines, most notably those Mercury 90 HP 4 strokes circa 2000-2005 or so with Yamaha powerheads ("Mercahas") were somewhat famous for developing pugged carburetor jets during protracted winter layup.
My carbureted 2001 Honda 90 HP engine did not exhibit this problem. On this motor it is easy to drain the carburetors if you have the owner's manual, which should prevent this problem. What I did instead during the winter is to start the engine once a month and run it for 10 minutes on rabbit ears.( In our climate we don't have to worry about water inside the engine freezing during winter)
JimL
jimh posted 11-22-2014 10:18 AM ET (US)
My earlier comments about c.1990 Honda outboards do not apply to c.2015 Honda outboards. Honda has reduced the weight, reduced the size, improved the performance, and added all sorts of modern technology to their c.2015 engines. In the 25-years between c.1990 and c.2015, Honda has been refining and improving their outboard engines. The present-day Honda outboard engines tend to be extremely fuel efficient. Their size and weight is no longer completely out of proportion to their horsepower. They use fuel injection. They have modern instrumentation with NMEA-2000. They are quite different engines than they were in 1990.
Binkster posted 11-22-2014 11:24 AM ET (US)
Also, all the larger Tohatsu outboards are now actually Hondas, painted blue with Tohatsu names on them. Most of us already know that Mercury outboards from 30 hp on down are actually Tohatsus, I have one, a 25hp 4 stroke. Its been a great motor. I talked to a Tohatsu dealer who wasn't too excited about the Tohatsu/Honda.
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/boats/boat-engines/ honda-agrees-supply-outboards-tohatsu

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Author	Topic: MONTAUK: Engine Weight; Honda Outboard Engine Experience
scott3294	posted 11-19-2014 04:25 PM ET (US) Hi. I am looking at purchasing a Montauk, and I found a [1991 boat] that I am taking out for a spin on Friday. One thing I have picked up (from reading this site over the years and recently found it again after tooling around it in the early 2000's) is that transom weight is a big deal. The boat I am taking out has a jack plate and a [1999] Honda 90-HP. By my rough calculations this is probably nearly 100-lbs in extra weight on the back compared to, say, a new E-TECH 90 with no jack plate. What should be the at-rest waterline at the transom? I will check it out when I am in the boat.
boatdryver	posted 11-19-2014 05:59 PM ET (US) My 1979 Montauk with a 2002 90-HP Honda outboard and no jack plate sat with the splashwell drains about 1-1/2-inch above the water, which was about 1-1/2 inches lower than the Montauk with a Johnson 70-HP two-cycle outboard in the next slip over. Mine had two batteries in the console, and nothing else aft. Get ready for differing opinions on placing a modern 390-lb four-cycle outboard engine on the transom of an old boat designed for a lighter motor. I operated my Montauk in the moderate chop of San Francisco Bay with light loads and in a smaller more protected bay with heavy loads, and could not find any fault related to the weight of the 90-HP Honda motor. JimL
wezie	posted 11-19-2014 07:55 PM ET (US) The 400-lbs-engine will create more bow rise. It will also lower the transom, allowing following waves to more easily come aboard and say Hi. It will be more difficult to get the bow down at low to medium speeds. You will love the Honda, and not like the weight (of these forced-technology engines). Good Luck.
scott3294	posted 11-19-2014 09:19 PM ET (US) Thanks for the information. What is the opinion on the late 1990's Honda engines? I have always heard great things about them, but all of my boat engines have been two-cycle engines, with the last one I owned a Mercury OptiMax 135 in 2005. I am very curious to spend some time with (and perhaps own) a Honda outboard.
jimh	posted 11-20-2014 12:58 AM ET (US) No one ever says, "I put a four-cycle engine on my boat and it was too heavy." Once you buy into the extra weight of a four-cycle engine, you will rationalize its affects as having no significance.
jimh	posted 11-20-2014 01:32 AM ET (US) Re HONDA's older generation outboard engines from the 1990's, they tend to: --be heavy and overweight --give poor performance --be massively huge and grotesque in size --be reliable --lack modern features and design, such as fuel injection, valve timing or cam phasing, reduced weight, dry sump oiling, NMEA-2000 --use carburetors.
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 06:14 AM ET (US) Ok, Jim, don't hold back, how do you really feel?? :-) Scott
Alan Heckman	posted 11-20-2014 07:18 AM ET (US) After you go for a test ride in the Montauk with the 400 lb Honda on it do yourself a favor before you make your decision. Try to get a ride in a Montauk with a lighter outboard on it such as a Yamaha F70 at 260 lbs., a 2 cycle Yamaha 90 also 260 lbs., a Mercury 2 cycle 90 at 305 lbs., or an ETEC 90 at 320 lbs. This will give you first hand experience as to the effects of a 400 lb. outboard on a Montauk 17. My personal experience is that lighter is best. Good luck in your search.
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 09:15 AM ET (US) Thanks Alan! I have pretty much figured out from all of the posts I have read on this sight that the E-Tec is the right choice. I have a quote from a dealer to re-rig the boat with a 2015 E-Tec. I am probably just going to go that route. I know it may not be the most practical approach, but I just feel much more comfortable with a new engine and I have the budget for it right now. I might get good life out of the Honda or another older engine, but I have an irrational, perhaps, bias toward NEW when it comes to outboard motors. :-) Scott
saumon	posted 11-20-2014 10:11 AM ET (US) Ok, we're not talking of a choice between buying a 1999 Honda 90hp or a new engine, but rather to replace a perfectly working 1999 Honda 90hp by a new engine for no reason. You know it doesn't make sense, right? You'd be better to put that $10k of savings in a separate account and run that Honda till it blow, which can well happen in 15 years, or later... As jimh said, they're reliables and, even if it's not the latest technology, an already paid-for engine can't be beat. Sure, 100 lbs more in th back isn't optimum, but real-life conditions rarely are. When you bring two buddies fishing, you easily add 500 lbs...
jimh	posted 11-20-2014 10:23 AM ET (US) SAUMON's comments are right on the money. If you want to wind up with a MONTAUK with a brand new E-TEC on the transom, buy a boat that has some 25-year-old smoking two-cycle that barely runs from a less reputable brand. Don't buy a boat with a fairly new four-cycle Honda engine and get rid of the Honda for a new engine. The only way that makes sense is if the asking price of the boat with the Honda does not really represent the true value of the Honda. If you frame the question as "what's better for the MONTAUK, a heavy older design four-cycle or a lighter and more modern engine," the answer is simple: get the lighter and more modern engine. But financially it won't make much sense to get rid of that Honda. If you take good care, the Honda will run for a long time into the future.
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 10:47 AM ET (US) So, absolutely the responses I thought I would get. So here is the market situation...I have found a beautiful 91 Montauk with a 2007 Yam 4 stroke for $17,500. I have found a beautiful 96 Montauk with a 96 Evinrude for $12,500, I have found a "nice" 89 Montauk with an 89 Yam 2stroke for $7500, and a "nice" 91 Montauk with the Honda for $8,000. I have budgeted for the $17,500 boat, but I am leaning toward the 91 with the Honda at $8,000. The $17,500 boat is almost pristine (a 10), but if for the same money I could have a "7" and a new E-Tec...well, that is my dilemma. I am not overly eager to part with the extra $9K for the new E-Tec, but I also like the idea of having much fewer maintenance headaches. Call it PTSD of having been around old outboards my whole life...I am gun shy of any used outboard. Warranties are a GREAT thing!!
jimh	posted 11-20-2014 10:53 AM ET (US) The good news on removing the old Honda: it should be easy to find a buyer for it.
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 11:25 AM ET (US) Thought the same thing Jim!!
saumon	posted 11-20-2014 01:42 PM ET (US) scott3294, if there's ads for the various boats (like Craigslist or Boattrader links) and you want to post them there, you'll get a lot of opinions from very knowledgeable Whaler experts.
Peter	posted 11-20-2014 02:54 PM ET (US) "I have found a " I would buy the "nice" 89 Montauk with an 89 Yam 2stroke for $7500". The 1989 Yamaha 2-stroke will probably out live you. It's one of the best outboards Yamaha has ever made. The fishermen in remote villages that make their living relying on an outboard motor use a commercial version of that motor called the Enduro. It's a great engine for a Montauk.
Binkster	posted 11-20-2014 02:57 PM ET (US) Don't assume just becuase it is a Honda outboard it is bulletproof. I recently drove from Tampa to Biloxi Miss. to check out a 50hp 2007 Honda I bought from Ebay. The engine was supposed to be lightly used only in fresh water on a pontoon boat. It did look like a freshwater motor, but it had water in the crankcase oil. I was refunded my down payment, and for my trouble for driving 1000 mi. roundtrip, he gave me the binnicle controls and the wiring harness. Check out that Honda, whole they have a good reputation generally, obviously some have problems. rich
Dave Sutton	posted 11-20-2014 03:52 PM ET (US) "The 1989 Yamaha 2-stroke will probably out live you. It's one of the best outboards Yamaha has ever made" ^^ THIS, "with absolute enthusiasm". These are likely the best engine ever put on a 'Tauk, certainly the very best conventional 2 stroke ever put on one. The only thing I would prefer would be a new 90 eTec. But even so, when (if?) my 2 stroke Yamaha dies, I'll be buying a new one in the Bahamas, where they are still marketed, as they are simple, light, reliable, and easy to service almost anyplace. I would never buy a 'Tauk with a 4 stroke larger than 70 HP. Even then I would prefer a 2 stroke. These light boats love light engines. Dave .
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 04:03 PM ET (US) Looks like I missed on the $7,500 one, it sold yesterday. Here are the ones still in the running: http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/bod/4759833867.html http://savannah.craigslist.org/boa/4754637626.html http://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/4735163274.html And there is the 1996 for $12,500 with the 96 Johnson on it that is still available but the add is no longer up, but here are the pictures.: https://1996whaler.shutterfly.com/pictures/8 The convenience factor comes into play here as well...I will be in Savannah this weekend. the $8,100 boat is in Savannah, the $8,900 is in Hilton Head, and the '96 with the pics is about 90 miles north of Savannah...so all three in striking distance. The $17,500 one is in south florida...so not nearly as convenient. Thoughts??
DVollrath	posted 11-20-2014 05:11 PM ET (US) For being advertised as a "10", that $17500 boat sure has some neglected wood. Seems a bit overpriced to me. Dennis
Dave Sutton	posted 11-20-2014 05:24 PM ET (US) $17K for a used 'Tauk is silly-money. The fact that the Yamaha 90 2 stroke one sold ought to be a lesson in desirability. Wait for another: They aren't uncommon. And that price was about right. If it were me? I would slow down, watch and wait, and be ready to buy the first decent one with a 2 stroke Yahama 90 that I found. If while waiting I found a reasonably priced eTec 90 powered one I would look at that as well. You can keep the 4 strokes, and the days of all of the old 2 stroke Johnsons and Evinrudes has long since passed. I put my money where my mouth is, with (2) 'Tauks, both with the 2 stroke Yamaha 90's. They are a great combo. Dave
saumon	posted 11-20-2014 05:48 PM ET (US) You didn't risk anything by politely ask Dave if would agree to part with one of his two Montauk... ;-)
saumon	posted 11-20-2014 05:59 PM ET (US) ...and I'm only half-joking: I bought my Outrage 17 the exact same way, while it wasn't even for sale.
scott3294	posted 11-20-2014 08:43 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the great input! This is exactly what I was hoping to get from this site. You guys are pretty awesome!! Scott
Binkster	posted 11-20-2014 11:18 PM ET (US) I just bought a Yamaha C60 for my 15 footer. Is the (C) commercial, designation the same as the Yamaha Enduro. rich
tedious	posted 11-21-2014 07:56 AM ET (US) Scot, I'd go for the Honda one, for $8K, in a heartbeat. Since you're mostly committed to a new motor, it's all good - you can try it out, and if the weight bothers you or the motor proves unreliable, get the eTec. The carbed Honda is going to give you decent mileage, although perhaps not as good as a more modern EFI motor, whether 2 or 4 stroke. The classic two-strokes are light, powerful, reliable, noisy, smelly, and relative gas hogs at trolling speeds. If that combination of characteristics appeals, go for it! Tim
scott3294	posted 11-21-2014 08:06 AM ET (US) Thanks Tim. I am taking the Honda one out for a spin this afternoon. Scott
Peter	posted 11-21-2014 08:38 AM ET (US) "The fact that the Yamaha 90 2 stroke one sold ought to be a lesson in desirability." Exactly. When you see one priced right, you need to act quickly.
scott3294	posted 11-21-2014 08:45 PM ET (US) Well, right or wrong, I am now a member of the Whaler family!! I bought the one in Savannah with Honda engine. It turned out to be a a really good price. The hull has more nicks and scrapes on it that you can really see from the pictures. The owner was great and we had a great discussion, when it was all said and done, I hooked it up to the Jeep and parted with just $6,000. The engine seems to run ok, we'll see how it does. I also know I need to become pretty good at gelcoat repair!!! All in all, I am happy with the boat and really content with the price. It was funny, the owner was really sad to part with it, but she had not used it in a couple of years and she knew that was not a good thing. Happy to see it go to a good home! My 10 yr old son is REALLY happy to have a boat to go fishing in!! Thanks for all the advice and opinions...this is truly a great site. Now, I have a couple hundred questions to ask.... Scott
jimh	posted 11-22-2014 08:36 AM ET (US) That sounds like a good deal. You'll have a lot of fun with the new boat. When I was ten years old I would have loved to have a MONTAUK, and your son will have a great time with that boat.
saumon	posted 11-22-2014 08:57 AM ET (US) It looks like you made a really great deal. As previously mentionned, don't be too quick to replace that engine, you may like it. If it hasn't run much on the past few years, except for your test ride, a carbs overhaul may be in order.
boatdryver	posted 11-22-2014 09:55 AM ET (US) Some of the later carbureted 4 stroke engines, most notably those Mercury 90 HP 4 strokes circa 2000-2005 or so with Yamaha powerheads ("Mercahas") were somewhat famous for developing pugged carburetor jets during protracted winter layup. My carbureted 2001 Honda 90 HP engine did not exhibit this problem. On this motor it is easy to drain the carburetors if you have the owner's manual, which should prevent this problem. What I did instead during the winter is to start the engine once a month and run it for 10 minutes on rabbit ears.( In our climate we don't have to worry about water inside the engine freezing during winter) JimL
jimh	posted 11-22-2014 10:18 AM ET (US) My earlier comments about c.1990 Honda outboards do not apply to c.2015 Honda outboards. Honda has reduced the weight, reduced the size, improved the performance, and added all sorts of modern technology to their c.2015 engines. In the 25-years between c.1990 and c.2015, Honda has been refining and improving their outboard engines. The present-day Honda outboard engines tend to be extremely fuel efficient. Their size and weight is no longer completely out of proportion to their horsepower. They use fuel injection. They have modern instrumentation with NMEA-2000. They are quite different engines than they were in 1990.
Binkster	posted 11-22-2014 11:24 AM ET (US) Also, all the larger Tohatsu outboards are now actually Hondas, painted blue with Tohatsu names on them. Most of us already know that Mercury outboards from 30 hp on down are actually Tohatsus, I have one, a 25hp 4 stroke. Its been a great motor. I talked to a Tohatsu dealer who wasn't too excited about the Tohatsu/Honda. http://www.sportfishingmag.com/boats/boat-engines/ honda-agrees-supply-outboards-tohatsu