100+ outboards

[JimS123]

There's a few reservoirs here and there in NJ and PA but for the most part if you can run a gas motor, it doesn't matter what type.

One big issue is that many older boats have a tough time handling the added weight of a four stroke. For years I ran a 1970 14ft Starcraft Seafarer, rated to 25hp, if I hung a 25hp modern four stroke on it I'd likely have freeboard issues at the 15" transom.
The same on my current 1978 Mirrocraft 17 ft Lake Fisherman, its rated to 50hp, but I doubt it could handle the weight of a 50hp four stroke with the driver's position being at the very rear of the boat, and the battery and fuel tank also being aft midship in that boat. It goes well with an older 35hp OMC, and I've been knocking around building it a fresh 50hp two stroke, but its so well balanced out now, I don't think I'd gain much with the 50hp over the 35hp, other than loss of freeboard and a few MPH.
I've got a small 12ft jon boat, 30" wide that's rated to 10hp, I have no doubt that a 95 lb four stroke would all but sink it when I got in the boat. It barely sits above the water line with just me and an electric trolling motor.

I had the same Seafarer and ran a 25 Yamaha 2-stroke on her, at 125 pounds. It was a very comfortable ride and the boat was certainly not overloaded.

A current Mercury 25 4-stroke would be 32# heavier, which I personally don't think would be an issue.

IMHO, the weight difference factors in a lot more for larger engines. Small tiller models are only slightly heavier.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

If you want a real value on what any old outboard is worth, do a search on eBay for completed listings for the major parts.
Most larger lower units that are in good shape can bring upwards of $250.
eBay #'s 354036671661 & 134083081372 are good examples.
Take a compression reading, note the model number each part came from and break them down piece by piece. What don't sell, make pile and sell that lot off in the end. It will all sell. Especially on the more popular size motors.

its my opinion that sellers think their gearcases are worth $400-$1200 on Ebay (for example OMC 2 and 3 cyl looper ones) completely un-inspected or serviced. Its crazy. I haven't paid over $250 for a complete non-running motor (mostly 2, 3 and V4 motors) in about 2 years. Gearcases themselves are just absurdly expensive and I dont think sellers are getting anywhere near that much$ for em'. Gas prices are so high the market is really tanking now.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

There's a few reservoirs here and there in NJ and PA but for the most part if you can run a gas motor, it doesn't matter what type.

One big issue is that many older boats have a tough time handling the added weight of a four stroke. For years I ran a 1970 14ft Starcraft Seafarer, rated to 25hp, if I hung a 25hp modern four stroke on it I'd likely have freeboard issues at the 15" transom.
The same on my current 1978 Mirrocraft 17 ft Lake Fisherman, its rated to 50hp, but I doubt it could handle the weight of a 50hp four stroke with the driver's position being at the very rear of the boat, and the battery and fuel tank also being aft midship in that boat. It goes well with an older 35hp OMC, and I've been knocking around building it a fresh 50hp two stroke, but its so well balanced out now, I don't think I'd gain much with the 50hp over the 35hp, other than loss of freeboard and a few MPH.
I've got a small 12ft jon boat, 30" wide that's rated to 10hp, I have no doubt that a 95 lb four stroke would all but sink it when I got in the boat. It barely sits above the water line with just me and an electric trolling motor.

MASSIVE difference between a 1986 (prop rated) OMC 2 cyl looper and the old 35 crossflows in my opinion, especially out of the hole. But I agree, balance matters for overally enjoyment on a small stern-heavy boat.

 

[crackedglass]

MASSIVE difference between a 1986 (prop rated) OMC 2 cyl looper and the old 35 crossflows in my opinion, especially out of the hole. But I agree, balance matters for overally enjoyment on a small stern-heavy boat.

What year did the 30-35hp OMC motors become loopers?

I was always under the impression that the prop rated hp began in 1984?
Meaning that a pre-84 35hp basically became the 1984-up 30hp with not much more than decal changes?
The 1979 Evinrude brochure states that the mid range twins are loop charged engines at that point, but I see nothing in the original literature for my 1978 Johnson 35hp other than it saying that the power head was introduced in 1976. My 1978 Johnson 35 power head appears to be the same as a new old stock 1985 30hp power head I picked up a few years ago as a spare when the local dealer closed up.

 

[reelfishin]

OMC larger twins and triples were loop charged by at least 1979, maybe a few years earlier, not sure.
The smaller twins, 25-35hp, didn't become loop charged till 1996.

I run several 1976-1986 model smaller twins, they're by far one of my favorites motors.
Crossflow motors make good motors for fishing or trolling since they inherently run smoother at lower RPMs than a loop charged motor.


When it comes to any older outboard, my preference is the late 70's to mid 80's OMC motors, they were easy to work on, plentiful, and required few special tools. There's a lot to be said for just plain simplicity.
I also don't mind the older Chrysler/Force/Gamefisher/Sea King motors, although not as robust, they are very simple motors and require very little to keep them running.