Re: Mercury vs OMC Forum Size
As an owner of 2 mid to late 70's OMCs and living in the land of outboards, OMC used to be manufactured in Waukegan Illinois, 1/2hr drive and Mercury Marine in Fond Du Lac. Sense the 1950s I've seen them all.
I believe the lack of parity in the two forums has more to do with which group provides a greater oppertunity for the user to to find a used engine and actually have success in getting it operational at a reasonable cost.
It has been my experience that parts for the older OMC are much more readily available at a reasonable cost, there is much more parts interchangeablity thoughout the years and models and OMC has far fewer "No Longer Available" parts which just makes them easier to keep running.
Now I am just starting my second project boat in 4 years. Both of these were in need of engines when I purchased them. In both cases I had found many OMCs or Mercurys that would have fit these boats. In both cases I chose an OMC for all of the reasons above. Also OMC does not require as many specialty tools to make many needed repairs. Also with my currant project I was able to find many more running 50-60hp OMC than Mercurys and zero used Yamahas or Mariners in this size.
So just the perspective assumption that the OMCs are easier to maintain I believe give them a bigger following among older used engines.
Well sir, this is getting into some of the "whys and wherewithalls". I started with Scott-Attwater when a teen with a 10 hp engine my dad bought. My first engine was a 25 hp Wizard (said to be built on the Merc Mark 30 prints} back in about '57 or '58. My buddies were running OMCs and seemed to be doing a number on me as we tried to water ski with small light boats and small HP engines. In '58 or '59 I sold my Wizard and bought a rude 18 and swore it pulled me as good as the Wizard....no facts to back up the assumption.
Years and a few kids later I got into a Chrysler or two and got out of that and into a Johnny 125 and 18' Caravelle tri-hull. Exceptional rig and no problems and no maintenance for 6 or 7 years when I sold it. Then on to bass boats and another Merc or two (30 then 85) and then a '70 rude looper and then a 115 Merc tower and then the current 90 3 cyl looper after a recess from boats/fishing for a few years when I bought my farm and started learning about tractors and plows.
As I said all good engines, minimum problems excepting the current '02 90 Merc looper. Seems the high mpg numbers (combustion efficiency) and EPA requirements take their toll. For now it is running as good as it ever did and I am happy. Who knows how long that will last. At least my sweetie is happy and this is our motorcycle. Lots safer.
Oh, I missed a couple: 1.7 hp. Mighty Mite, well used '57 is Johnny bronze and white 5.5, and about a '74 Merc 4.5 single and 7.5.
Mark
. But I think the new E-techs have closed the gap !!!
