125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

[djmeaney]

I am considering buy an 18 ft aluminum hull bow rider with a max hp rating of 140 hp.

There is one for sale with an Evinrude 1972 125 HP (hydro electric shift model). The seller bought the motor used about a year and has not seen it run himself. I have seen the motor and it looks very clean and in good condition, but its off the boat and no way to even do a compression test.

There is another comparable boat, trailer, etc. that comes with a 75 HP Johnson Stinger (think it a 1975). The seller says the motor turns over, but that he has not attempted to start it in a few years. It's one a restoration project that he no longer has interest in.

From what I understand the 75 HP is probably a bit undersized for the boat. The 125 is probably fine in that regard. However, it's an electric shift.

Looking for thoughts from the experts on whether it's a better bet to take a chance on the 125 (knowing that I can part it out for $$$ if it needs serious work/parts) or go for the 75 figuring it's easier (cheaper) to repair and get parts for -- or sell and put $$$ toward larger used OB.

Both boats are projects, have rusty trailers and are selling for only a few hundred $$$. The motor decision is really the deciding factor at this point.

Dan

 

[F_R]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

Either one can be a big money pit before you are finished. There is nothing wrong with the Hydro-Electric shift if it is in good condition. If mis-used and abused and neglected it is like any other----expensive to fix.

Make sure you get the controls, no matter which one you buy. They are worth as much as the whole rest of the motor. And that shift switch is around $400---if you can find one.

 

[194269]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

I would take the 125 w/hydro electric shift. If the push button shift switch isn't any good, look around for a set of Johnson controls of the same year. Their control box is a lot better and have very few problems. I am running a 1970 Evinrude 115 with a 1971 125 Johnson control box and it is working just fine.

 

[djmeaney]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

Either one can be a big money pit before you are finished. There is nothing wrong with the Hydro-Electric shift if it is in good condition. If mis-used and abused and neglected it is like any other----expensive to fix.

Make sure you get the controls, no matter which one you buy. They are worth as much as the whole rest of the motor. And that shift switch is around $400---if you can find one.

RF, the 125 and the 75 both have controls. Sounds like if the 125 doesn't work there may be potential to part it out and make a fair amount toward a better motor.

Dan

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

The 125 has one of my least favorite ignition systems on it (IMHO!). The hydro-electric is fine if it works and hasn't had water in it. I'd take the 75 manual shift with the CDI ignition, provided it would plane the boat.

 

[F_R]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

Good point there with that Battery CD with a distributor. They are fine if they are working. The distributor is a weak link.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

The 75 is a high port 70 hp block. Probably a 49 cubic inch powerhead. It is meant to be used on a fairly light weight boat. On a heavier boat it will suffer from poor holeshot-unlike the 125 which is nearly double the cubic inch displacement.

 

[djmeaney]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

The 75 is a high port 70 hp block. Probably a 49 cubic inch powerhead. It is meant to be used on a fairly light weight boat. On a heavier boat it will suffer from poor holeshot-unlike the 125 which is nearly double the cubic inch displacement.

The boat it is on is an aluminum hull 18 ft that weighs about 1,000 lbs.

 

[194269]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

Go with the 125.

 

[boobie]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

I'd go with a different mtr all together. Both of them have some real bad points.

 

[boobie]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

Edit.

 

[194269]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

I would too, unfortunatly he was talking about just those two Outboards.

 

[djmeaney]

Re: 125HP Evinrude Hydro Electric Shift or 75HP Johnson?

I would too, unfortunatly he was talking about just those two Outboards.

Unfortunately, the two boat I'm looking at (18 ft Starcraft SS's) come with those motors and the price is right ($450 + $900) for boat motor and trailer. Boats need some work, but the hulls are sound. I figure even if the motor is a dud -- I can part it out and come with part of the $$$ for a more desirable motor.

Dan