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23' CC 1974 Alright, i have a decision to make with some real numbers now. 2 1990 evinrude 120's were looked over by a trustworthy local guy. One is shot and must be rebuilt, he is telling me 1600 for this. the other has 100 all around on compression and am told needs need seals and some other minor work. he wants to send off the ss props for repair, do some work to the lower units on both, paint them and convert them to run on oil/fuel premix. He has told me for 4-5k this all can be done and they will look and run close to new. Should I go for the repair on 20 year old engines (is cost reasonable) or find something a few years old maybe a 250 4 stroke or twins of some sort and spend more money for something newer?
Open to any advice.

LL

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Those are giant lawnmower motors. I had a 115 on my mako17 that I did a lot of work on myself. Find someone you trust to call for advice and also buy the service manual. You can get most parts super cheap at NAPA. Obviously, there are many fixes on those motors that will take a good shop, but for example you can do the oil/premix conversion yourself in under an hour. The whole point of running twins is that if one craps out you can get home on the other.

I am sure this guy is a solid guy and not a fraud (there are lot's of frauds out there in the used engine world) but he has to make a buck. His prices sound right, but that seems to be a lot of work for old motors (that are generally thought to be pretty bullet proof). On the other hand, if you give this guy your business, there is the off chance that he will do right by you and take care of you in the future (or he might keep gouging you because you are an easy mark... I have experienced both. There is a horror story of my buddy going in and asking for a $100 fuel pump to be replaced. When he came back, they did the whole prop/paint thing and wanted $1000, with $600 for labor on a $300 motor. He gave them $100 and got his old parts back, but had to throw a nutty in the shop.)

I personally would not spend 4-5K on 20 year old motors. BUT expect to be shelling out almost twice that by the time you get done trying to replace with even a used 4s. I wouldn't do more than oil changes on a 4s, especially if you can find an EFI/computer one. If that one engine is shot, finding a replacement head should be much cheaper than fixing the current one, but not if you pay someone else to do it.

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If these are in your budget, I'd do this in a heartbeat.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-...outboards.html

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WOW!!!!! i can only dream!!!!!they would be perfect

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I know the owner of these motors, and he is as straight up as they come. Also, they have been serviced by one of the best evinrude guys there is. If they are in your budget, I don't think you could go wrong.

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"throw a nutty...." In Australia I believe they
call it "chucking a wobbly"... :D

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any opinions on possibly twin 115's? I found a pretty good deal on 2 yamaha 4 strokes 2006. will this be enough power?

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My take on those is this, The point of twins for many people is safety and security knowing if one fails you can make it back home. Knowing that there are several things to consider. One is Seatow or Tow boat US, tows you from just about any distance for a low cost of 149 a year +/-. The other is that with engines that small if one fails the other will get you home but no faster then if you had a 10 or 15hp kicker motor. Twin 150's may plane you individualy but not 115hp. My preference is always a good reliable strong single and either seatow or a good kicker. Twins will burn more fuel then a single, weigh more , take up more room, cost twice in maintenance repairs, and for similar HP are slower. a single 300hp would push a 23 almost the same speed as twin 200's or 225's with half the fuel , maintenance costs. My opinions only, but If I had my choice I would opt for a Single 225-300 hp engine, my 23 Savage has a single 225 efi yami and with 5 people and dive gear for 3 including 8 tanks, will still run 30mph no problem, at 4400 rpm and burns about 16gph it burns much less with less weight. You spoke about spending 4-5k I have seen several 4st motors in the 225 250 range that have reasonable hours for just a bit more money. A well maintained 4st will last you 3-4k hours np. a 2st about half that at best but the price to repair/ rebuild is usualy less. OR buy a new Suzuki and finance it :D

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If you are mechanically inclined and have the time . . . find a good fresh water parts motor and swap the parts. Otherwise . . . go with a brand new big single and kicker. IMO - it's not worth paying someone 5K to keep those loopers alive (when you can just buy 4 good spare used 4 cylinder loopers for the same price) and mix and match parts.

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Thanks guys, old evinrudes are on craigslist as of this morning...i really like the look of don's brackets...gonna try to find a good deal on a 250 or 300 and put it on that. let me know if you see any deals...LL

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http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/suzuki_outboards.htm

250 Suzuki 30" $11,500.00

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anyone have any advice on evinrude etecs? is 300hp engine with hermco twin bracket gonna be ok?

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No!!! It's gonna be a disaster! Don't do it!

Just kidding. That is a dream set up for a lot of folks. That, or the suzi 300. Either way, Don's twin bracket seems to be the best bracket around.

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Any of the 4S outboards out there today are good (yamaha, evinrude,suzuki, mercury) it boils down to upfront price, and then local service. its like talking religion/politicz to get opinions on outboards. everyone has an opinion and gets heated. don't discount local service you trust, if you have to drive 100 miles for service what good is that!

the hermco bracket is the best out there, it's a bit pricier than aluminum up front, but when you go to paint, bottom paint, or repair, you will be luvn that glass! alum requires more upkeep in salt water and more prep and so forth.

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A.K.A. Fram filter commercial, "You can pay me now, or pay me later!" The thrill of a cheap price doesn't last nearly as long as the confidence of a good decision!

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A big single is probably the way to go - call these guys and see what they have in the Etec/Rude arena - I know they have one that might work and they are very SeaCraft friendly, Mario who will probably answer has a nice 23 - be sure and tell them who sent you and from where

American Marine 727 938 9796

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Some price comparisons for you, lowest prices I could find in 5 minutes: ALWAYS check with your local dealer, he wants your business, and may go the price for you.

2008 Evinrude Etec 250 25" - $14,500 Ed's Marine
2009 Etec 300 25" - $16,450 Ed's Marine

2008 Mercury EFI 2S 250 25" - $10,000 Ed's Marine
2008 Mercury Optimax 250XS 25" - $12,000 Ed's Marine
2010 MERCURY Opti ProXS 250 HP - $15,600 Ed's Marine
2008 Mercury Verado 250HP C/R 25" - $16,400 Local boat mfg.

2008 Suzuki 4S 250HP 25" - $12,250 local marina

2008 Yamaha 4S 250HP C/R - $13,200 Local marina
2010 Yamaha 4S 250 - $14,950 Local Marina

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By the way.... the prices that Ed's quotes are just the dealer cost. He dings you with charges during install, uses not OEM parts, and no one else will look at your motor if you try to get them serviced else where.

When I was shopping around for a DF140, I dropped ed's names/price a few times and twice the sales guys produced a binder filled with BBB complaints about the "price" not including installation fees.

Anyway I completely agree with Dr. Frank, shop around but give your local guy a shot. His prices may not be that far off, when it's all said and done.

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alright...some more options...a 300 etec or 275 verado???looking for opinions..getting ready to order hermco bracket to put her on..
either would be a great deal from the sellers..

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Call Russ at palm beach outboards or bob spickler perks bait and tackle.. Bobby

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The Etec weighs less and costs less. The Verado probably has a bit more long-term durability. Will you put more than 3000 hours on the motor over the next 10 years?

Both motors are capable of reaching 2000 hours easily with good maintenance. Mercury is the only company than tests its outboards to 3000+ hours of use, and Merc even claims there are a couple of 6 cyl. 250 hp Verados on a test sled at 8,000 hours and counting. That's a year of running 24/7. (Merc also makes a 350 Verado that is the same size as the 225)

A non-professional recreational boater rarely runs a motor more than 100 hours per year. On the other hand, Pro Guides and Tourney fisherman regularly run 300-500 hours per year. Tow boat operators run 1000+ hours per year. If that kind of long-term use is not an issue, then, as much as I hate to admit it (being a Merc fanatic), the Etec is probably a wiser choice.

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If you're in Palm Beach area, talk to Stan (Service Manager) at ARG in Riveria Beach; tell him Denny sent you. They sell Yamaha, Honda and E-Tec. He really knows motors and says he has fewer "come-backs" with the E-Tecs than either of the other two. I've had zero problems in over 3 years and 200+ hrs on mine. Denny