Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

tunerauto · Jul 13, 2011

I have a lead on 2 motors that are runners but not been used in numerous years.

1st - Mercury 650 65hp O/B with cables but no control box for $150 . Boat was wrecked by his son and has been in storage for a couple years. Unknown condition other than that and no idea of year as of yet. My next door neighbor has control box and cable i can get from him.

2nd - 1965 Johnson VXL-11C 60hp O/B with no cables $200 . Has not been ran since 1985 but will turn over but no start.

Think Im leaning on the Mercury .
Thoughts ?

CHIEF TERRY · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Parts for old johnsons are more difficult to get , and murcs had elecrical troubles ,, maybe look some more !
If i had to choose between the 2 , i say the johnson !!

CHIEF TERRY · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Most of the time on motors that sit for a long time , the carbs will be the trouble !

Chris1956 · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

That Merc will be from the 70s, I will bet. It will be lighter and better on fuel than that old V4, but have less torque. If the boat is real heavy, the V4 is likely a better choice, however.

Of course that is leaping to conclusion that each has good compression and have good electronics or can be fixed within a budget.

nwcove · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

i have to disagree with chief terry, most parts for the old johnsons are readily available and cheap, i dont know much bout merc parts. as someone else posted in another thread ......if you want to get somewhere first, buy a merc. if you want to get somewhere and back, buy an omc . (i do agree with chris, what is the actual internal condition of each motor?)

tunerauto · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Well thank you all for your insight but I think I found the winner .

70's Evinrude 75hp O/B no controls and was runner but has been parked on the boat for a few years. $200.
This is to power my 1972 15' Glastron Futura V153 .
I already have Johnson controls and steering cables on my boat , just no O/B

nwcove · Jul 13, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

that was my choice! lol

5150abf · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

If it is 70s make cetain it isn't an electric shift, that would be money in a hole.

phillnjack2 · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

75hp johnson will be the best for that boat.
Good power to weight ratio.
should be the larger gearbox, so props will be easy to get as well.

ive had both mercs and johnsons, i personally think johnsons are stronger motors

phill

ezmobee · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

5150abf said:
If it is 70s make cetain it isn't an electric shift, that would be money in a hole.

This^^^ You want a 1973 or newer to avoid electric shift in OMCs.

tunerauto · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

how do I determine if it's electric shift or not?

ezmobee · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Know the year of the motor.

tunerauto · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

owner doesnt know the year and cant find serial numbers or model numbers on it. When I get there to see it are there any deciding parts on it that will determine if its electronic shift ?

ezmobee · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Well it will only have one control cable and wires going into it as opposed to two control cables and wires. I'm pretty darn good at identifying by picture

tunerauto · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

Contacted seller as he is 130 miles away and he said it is manual shift.

tunerauto · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

The pic he sent me of the motor.

And my boat that its going on.

Frank Acampora · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

NEITHER! Do yourself a favor and power the Glastron with an 85-90 engine. With a 60-65, she will do about 27-30-35. With a 90 she will top out at 45 or more. With the 60-65, tubing will be OK but water skiing and possibly wakeboarding will be marginal.

Unless you are only going to fish, the bigger engine is the one of choice. That's a 90 on a 1971 V153 in my avatar.

tunerauto · Jul 14, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

I'm going with the mid 1970's Evinrude 75 hp motor that's a runner for $200. that will suffice till I can afford a newer 90hp

tunerauto · Jul 16, 2011

Re: Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

found this but my transom is only rated to 90hp. My transom is in great shape as well as the boat so Im thinking it will work.
Here is the craigslist decription. - 1965 merc 1000 6cyl 100 horse. not sure if its a long or short shaft... looks longer than the others. runs, just had a tune up done on it july 1st. (carbs rebuilt, fuel pump, distributor rebuilt. new plugs) That cost $360 just for the tune up. The control box comes with it but it needs to be rebuilt. plus the cables are wore out. I took it to the lake on the 5th and couldn't get the correct adjustment for the throttle to work right. I am going to put the original 40 horse motor back on the boat, 100 horse is too heavy. This is why I am selling this one. $300.00

Hmm ... Johnson 60hp or Mercury 65hp ????

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