Keep my motor till it blows up or get a newer one now?

[ucf_motorcycle]

I have an old 1991 2.4L carbed 200HP merc on my Paramount. Its been rather satisfactory so far but....
I would like to have a bit more speed (barely gets 49MPH now)
Better MPG
Less noise and smoke
This current engine runs awesome right now but I dunno I mean its 17 years old and I have no idea the hours on it. Can I trust it enough to for example take a trip to bimini? Should I try and trade up now for a newer used opti and maybe get a few bucks for the old engine or just run it till she blows (which may never happen at the rate shes going but who knows)?

I would really love to put a more powerful optimax (used 225 or 250) on this boat but that would mean several thousand dollars and I dont know if its worth it since the boat runs fine as is. Plus that newer opti could end up blowing up before this 2.4 ever does. What would you do?

[bluffman2]

well first you fish out of destin almost as far as the bimini run, so being that there are alot of boats that make that crossing everyday i wouldnt hesitate to do it as long as your comfortable with the motor.....now would i be more comfortable with a newer motor...of course i would......the newer motors these days are just hard to beat.........my vote would be when affordable go ahead and repower with motor of your choice.....but for now make the run to bimini and enjoy....(with proper safety gear of course)

[ucf_motorcycle]

I'm comfortable with it (although I wouldn't leave the dock without my tow boat US card) but I don't see alot of older engines so I wanted to get some opinions. I guess I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy for going so far out with a 2 decade engine.

[Chet88]

ucf_motorcycle - 9/11/2008 4:55 PM

I'm comfortable with it (although I wouldn't leave the dock without my tow boat US card) but I don't see alot of older engines so I wanted to get some opinions. I guess I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy for going so far out with a 2 decade engine.

You are not crazy. Friend of mine with a 1993 Yamaha 200 on his 1993 Grady 22 ran to the Nipple with me this summer. 45 miles one way. No problems. I would always try to partner up with another boat if you are going way offshore. Strength in numbers. Run her till she blows. Cost of a new engine will buy a ton of gas.

[dannyscat]

Chet88 - 9/11/2008 7:39 PM

You are not crazy. Friend of mine with a 1993 Yamaha 200 on his 1993 Grady 22 ran to the Nipple with me this summer. 45 miles one way. No problems. I would always try to partner up with another boat if you are going way offshore. Strength in numbers. Run her till she blows. Cost of a new engine will buy a ton of gas.

You are right ,run until it has nothing left to give ,sometimes older is better, always tag team when way offshore. We are taking friend's contender from Key West to Isla Mujeres this winter. We will be co- captains.

[Afishinado]

Ditto, run it until dies.

[barlow46]

Run it like you stole it and it will probably outlast you.

[stapon251]

1989 175 Mariner and a 200 Ocean Pro. Same stuff. Run Wally world Pensoil semi syn, Change plugs every 200 hours, impellers occasionally, Dunc Seafoam every 100 to 200 hrs, listen for auto oil pump failure warning buzz and see 5800 to 6200 rpm for 2 to 5 min each use after a good cruise warmup. Cruise long term <4000 rpm. Fog in the fall and rock and roll all year. Go long distance with a buddy or sea tow. A kicker too in either case.
You will burn gas but last. Even at $ 4.00 a gal and say 1.3 v.2.3, mpg (the best ratio difference you will see at cruise ),it will take about 3000 ocean miles in a couple of years to make the new motor start to pay given capital cost and depreciation. ...So long as the old puppy lasts. She likely will lf you use her.

[cjd]

I bought an i8 foot Parker 6 years ago. It had a 140 evinrude Looper -1989.

Plan was to repower it when I hit my fist major repair. I change plugs, foot oil, and decarb. The thing just refuses to die.

It would take a whole lot of time and miles to ever make the gas usage argument for a replacement. That said, i will replace it when it runs into trouble - i am guessing 2020 at this rate.

Run it and enjoy the cash in you hands.

[captmike1984]

The cheapest motor is always the one you've already paid for as long as it's not excessively problematic

[slickster]

The typical life of an outboard is around 20 years...with typical use....in general, round numbers....before major work is required...I know others will chime in with "I've been running my OB since Washington crossed the delaware"....an etec 225HO will work and might cut your fuel usage in half if you run it easy...that cash will add up if you use your boat a fair amount....IMO....Mick

[truculenity]

i wouldnt consider 49mph slow iether....

[bone-a-fide]

I don't think you will see a considerable increase in speed, if you are getting 49, just run it til it dies

[ConchRepublic]

run it 'til it dies. I had a 70 Evinrude on a Whaler years ago that could not be killed. Save that cash in the meantime, and when you do repower, go new. You'll be dodging all the unknowns with a new-to-you used, and from the sound of things, it'll be awhile before you have to address it with your current motor. +1 on safety in numbers, and the right gear to get you out of trouble on a long trip.

[Rickster]

I asked the same question about 2 years ago (have a 1997 200 Yamaha) and almost everyone said run it till it dies. Well 2 years later and more outboard choices available, she is still running strong. Over the summer had her out 60 miles one trip and 45 another. Now I must admit I run her harder but she refuses to hit the scrap yard so far!!!

[v70cat]

slickster - 9/12/2008 2:43 PM

The typical life of an outboard is around 20 years...with typical use....in general, round numbers....before major work is required...I know others will chime in with "I've been running my OB since Washington crossed the delaware"....an etec 225HO will work and might cut your fuel usage in half if you run it easy...that cash will add up if you use your boat a fair amount....IMO....Mick

I have a 1987 Yamaha 225 Excl and it still runs like new. I did have to change the shift rod but other than basic maintance noting else.
I don't know why it will not for another 10 years?

[fmoore]

The little boat (1989 16 foot Tracker) has a 1989 25 horse Evinrude. Not one bit of maintenance done to this engine and after almost 20 years, it just won't die. Never been winterized, never had the plugs changed, never had the impeller changed. No maintenance whatsoever. I think these motors are a lot tougher than people make them out to be.

[blueh20pc]

I've got a 1974 Johnson six horse that we use every weekend on the john boat. That thing is as old as I am, and it starts on the third pull everytime if you choke it right.

The only time it broke was when I was trying to do maintenance on it, I ripped the boot off the plug wire. I never should of messed with it.

[captlucky13]

haha i said the same thing i have a 1976 outboard its a johnson haha this thing runs better than some new ones. bought in 1992 and never had a problem. my other boat the 22 fter had a brand new motor put in last year haha i had leaky valve covers already a blown head gasket from over heating cause my impellar broke haha thank god for warranties but my little boat still never stalls runs strong.

[slickster]

Yeah...lots of motors go more than 20...sometimes it's not the basic block that goes away...it's the starter, carbs, linkage, lower unit, trim/tilt etc that after the 3rd or 4th time being towed back or no start at the ramp that makes it time to think new..I boat in FL so it's always salty....Mick