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Author Topic:   Best Outboard Brand? '80's

Nutty Squirrel posted 08-09-2005 02:24 PM ET (US)
Searching for my first whaler and trying to be patient. I have determined it is going to be a 13'Super sport from the 80's due to budget constraints, praticality etc. My question for discussion is if I am looking for a boat/motor from the 80's with a two stroke 40hp would you prefer a Merc, Yamaha or Johnson from that era assuming all were in good working order maintained etc.? Sorry to spark arguments but so guidence and opinions would be helpful. Grandpa always had a Johnson in the 60's thru the early 80's and swore by them. Everyone I know raves about new Yamahas but what about the ones that are older and 2stroke? I always plenty of Mercs in the service yard by my house and that concerns me. thanks for any help.
LHG posted 08-09-2005 03:29 PM ET (US)
Look for a boat with an OMC or Yamaha. I think the Merc 2 cylinder 35/40 HP engine of that era was a dog. Now, if you find one with a 4 cylinder Merc 50, that's a whole different story.
15ftlover posted 08-09-2005 04:03 PM ET (US)
Merc made a 4 cylinder 40/50 hp (late 80's early 90's?). I had one for fourteen or so years-very good motor. I see alot of the older OMC 35's still running around in salt water. Compression check and lower unit are key as is the general state of care (corrosion/skeg/prop) Carbs can be rebuilt fairly easily the smaller motors.
Hen
Peter posted 08-09-2005 05:37 PM ET (US)
In my opinion, the best motor for the 13 is the 2 cylinder 32 cubic inch 30/35 HP Johnson or Evinrude (made from 1976 to 2005). After a 30 year run, the motor has just been discontinued. Plenty of pep and light weight (less than 120 lbs). That engine is as close to bullet proof as you can get.
Teak Oil posted 08-10-2005 11:05 AM ET (US)
Dont get a Yamaha if you are going into saltwater or it has been in saltwater in the past. Their Alloys stunk in the 80's.
Merc four cylinder or OMC 2 cyl are the best from that era
SEGrin posted 08-15-2005 05:57 PM ET (US)
You're talking about motors that are 20+ years old. The condition and care of a particular motor is going to be much more important than looking for a particular brand after that much time. Buy the one that has the best compression and is in the best shape.
blowhard posted 08-15-2005 06:13 PM ET (US)
OMC 40's in the 80s were very torquey. Combined with a 2/1 gear ratio in the lower,they swung a large prop and had a great holeshot. Yamaha is a nice motor but a terrible holeshot due to the gearing,and as a result Yamaha swung a smaller prop at a hightr rpm,but not alot of blade area for that famous holeshot. My pick OMC.

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Author	Topic: Best Outboard Brand? '80's
Nutty Squirrel	posted 08-09-2005 02:24 PM ET (US) Searching for my first whaler and trying to be patient. I have determined it is going to be a 13'Super sport from the 80's due to budget constraints, praticality etc. My question for discussion is if I am looking for a boat/motor from the 80's with a two stroke 40hp would you prefer a Merc, Yamaha or Johnson from that era assuming all were in good working order maintained etc.? Sorry to spark arguments but so guidence and opinions would be helpful. Grandpa always had a Johnson in the 60's thru the early 80's and swore by them. Everyone I know raves about new Yamahas but what about the ones that are older and 2stroke? I always plenty of Mercs in the service yard by my house and that concerns me. thanks for any help.
LHG	posted 08-09-2005 03:29 PM ET (US) Look for a boat with an OMC or Yamaha. I think the Merc 2 cylinder 35/40 HP engine of that era was a dog. Now, if you find one with a 4 cylinder Merc 50, that's a whole different story.
15ftlover	posted 08-09-2005 04:03 PM ET (US) Merc made a 4 cylinder 40/50 hp (late 80's early 90's?). I had one for fourteen or so years-very good motor. I see alot of the older OMC 35's still running around in salt water. Compression check and lower unit are key as is the general state of care (corrosion/skeg/prop) Carbs can be rebuilt fairly easily the smaller motors. Hen
Peter	posted 08-09-2005 05:37 PM ET (US) In my opinion, the best motor for the 13 is the 2 cylinder 32 cubic inch 30/35 HP Johnson or Evinrude (made from 1976 to 2005). After a 30 year run, the motor has just been discontinued. Plenty of pep and light weight (less than 120 lbs). That engine is as close to bullet proof as you can get.
Teak Oil	posted 08-10-2005 11:05 AM ET (US) Dont get a Yamaha if you are going into saltwater or it has been in saltwater in the past. Their Alloys stunk in the 80's. Merc four cylinder or OMC 2 cyl are the best from that era
SEGrin	posted 08-15-2005 05:57 PM ET (US) You're talking about motors that are 20+ years old. The condition and care of a particular motor is going to be much more important than looking for a particular brand after that much time. Buy the one that has the best compression and is in the best shape.
blowhard	posted 08-15-2005 06:13 PM ET (US) OMC 40's in the 80s were very torquey. Combined with a 2/1 gear ratio in the lower,they swung a large prop and had a great holeshot. Yamaha is a nice motor but a terrible holeshot due to the gearing,and as a result Yamaha swung a smaller prop at a hightr rpm,but not alot of blade area for that famous holeshot. My pick OMC.