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Author Topic:   1999 50 hp Johnson Comments

15revamp posted 02-26-2006 03:44 PM ET (US)
I am in the final stages of rebuliding a 15 foot Sport & I am now in the market for an engine. I stumbled across a 1999 50 hp Johnson (model J50PLEEA)for a fair price. I have heard that this is a bad year for OMC in as far as quality control & require some experienced opinions about this engine. Is it enough power for a 15 foot seeing it is a 2 cylinder or should I be looking towards a 3 cylinder? Any opinions or experience with this engine would be greatly appreciated. This boat will be used mostly for scuba diving.
Thanks,
15revamp
bsmotril posted 02-26-2006 04:15 PM ET (US)
The only problem I'm aware of with 1999 vintage Johnsons was with the 150 and 175 HP FICHT motors. They were introduced right at that time, and had some problems with carbon fouling of the rings under low rpm high load operation. I've not heard of any problems with other sized Johnsons in 1999, but someone here will likely know about it if there were other problems. BillS
JBCornwell posted 02-26-2006 04:23 PM ET (US)
Howdy, 15revamp,
A 50 is good on a 15. Tops at about 38-40 with a light load, ideal prop and rigging; 35 with the usual compromises. A 70 is faster but heavier, thirstier and less agile.
1999 was a bad year for QC at OMC, but an engine that has been in use for 7 years has had any QC problems resolved and is probably a good engine. If it were NOS I would be very leery of it.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Peter posted 02-26-2006 05:02 PM ET (US)
I had a Johnson 48 (same as the 50) on my 15 SuperSport and now have a Yamaha 70. The 48 would push the 15SS to 37 MPH (with bottom paint) and perhaps a little faster if the motor had power trim. With the 70, the 15SS will go 42 MPH with a light load, which feels quite fast. The 2 cylinder 48/50 had plenty of torque and was quite smooth at any speed except idle.
If scuba involves loading the 15 on the heavy side, I would opt for a 70.
fourdfish posted 02-26-2006 05:43 PM ET (US)
Peter- Talk about coincidence, I also had a 48hp on my old 15 Sport, sold it to my Bro this Christmas. It still runs great! I bought a trim unit off ebay installed it and it is great! I only got about 35mph though!
JBCornwell posted 02-26-2006 06:45 PM ET (US)
The 48 was a 50 less VRO and PT&T. Lighter by a few pounds but just as fast. That is what is on the Striper 15 I just bought, along with a CMC PT&T unit.

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Author	Topic: 1999 50 hp Johnson Comments
15revamp	posted 02-26-2006 03:44 PM ET (US) I am in the final stages of rebuliding a 15 foot Sport & I am now in the market for an engine. I stumbled across a 1999 50 hp Johnson (model J50PLEEA)for a fair price. I have heard that this is a bad year for OMC in as far as quality control & require some experienced opinions about this engine. Is it enough power for a 15 foot seeing it is a 2 cylinder or should I be looking towards a 3 cylinder? Any opinions or experience with this engine would be greatly appreciated. This boat will be used mostly for scuba diving. Thanks, 15revamp
bsmotril	posted 02-26-2006 04:15 PM ET (US) The only problem I'm aware of with 1999 vintage Johnsons was with the 150 and 175 HP FICHT motors. They were introduced right at that time, and had some problems with carbon fouling of the rings under low rpm high load operation. I've not heard of any problems with other sized Johnsons in 1999, but someone here will likely know about it if there were other problems. BillS
JBCornwell	posted 02-26-2006 04:23 PM ET (US) Howdy, 15revamp, A 50 is good on a 15. Tops at about 38-40 with a light load, ideal prop and rigging; 35 with the usual compromises. A 70 is faster but heavier, thirstier and less agile. 1999 was a bad year for QC at OMC, but an engine that has been in use for 7 years has had any QC problems resolved and is probably a good engine. If it were NOS I would be very leery of it. Red sky at night. . . JB
Peter	posted 02-26-2006 05:02 PM ET (US) I had a Johnson 48 (same as the 50) on my 15 SuperSport and now have a Yamaha 70. The 48 would push the 15SS to 37 MPH (with bottom paint) and perhaps a little faster if the motor had power trim. With the 70, the 15SS will go 42 MPH with a light load, which feels quite fast. The 2 cylinder 48/50 had plenty of torque and was quite smooth at any speed except idle. If scuba involves loading the 15 on the heavy side, I would opt for a 70.
fourdfish	posted 02-26-2006 05:43 PM ET (US) Peter- Talk about coincidence, I also had a 48hp on my old 15 Sport, sold it to my Bro this Christmas. It still runs great! I bought a trim unit off ebay installed it and it is great! I only got about 35mph though!
JBCornwell	posted 02-26-2006 06:45 PM ET (US) The 48 was a 50 less VRO and PT&T. Lighter by a few pounds but just as fast. That is what is on the Striper 15 I just bought, along with a CMC PT&T unit.