Opinions on 1996 75hp Mercury Outboard

[i_lovebeer]

Hi everyone,
I just found this great forum. I'm from Auckland, New Zealand and have been restoring a 1979 Pelin Nomad 16 foot Cabin runabout - I don't want to see another piece of sandpaper for a while!. I should be picking it up from the paint shop this weekend and am now looking for an outboard for it.

I am looking at a 1996 75hp Mercury Outboard done just 87 hours from a private seller. The guy has had it serviced by a dealer and replaced the stator and waterpump impellor as it has been sitting for a while before he used it. I will be getting a pre purchase inspection done on it before I part with any cash.

Does anyone have any opinions on these engines, good or bad?

I have spoken to a Mercury Dealer who said they are a good reliable engine.

Thanks,
Matt

[Ranger88]

I would second the dealer. I've owned three merc 2 strokes and never had anything bad happen. They smoke, are loud @speed; some don't idle all that well. They will not have great resale value, nor are they particularly good on gas, though not bad.
Are they reliable, and relatively trouble free, yes.

[i_lovebeer]

Thanks Ranger88

[eggsuckindog]

I have no knowledge of that engine - although if I were looking that year range I would be looking the Johnson/Evinrudes - you just can't kill those bastads - all the way back to the 80's. mercs for some reason went thru a period in the 80's and 90's that were kind of iffy, not sure why and not sure that engine - some models from all manu's have issues and some do not in the same years. I guess if you trust the guy serviceing it then do it, he is the best source.