Mercury Sportjet

rtrent

Recruit
Joined
Dec 26, 2001
Messages
5
I'm looking to buy a '94 or '95 14' Sea Rayder powered with a 90 or 120 SportJet, for my kids to ski and tube with. My research has scared me. I like the idea of a small, propless boat for that but am worried about the problems with this engine described here and in other forums. What's the history on the engines from these years? It seems like electronics. What can I look for to determine if the electronics have been updated? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!! :D
 

Clay

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 20, 2001
Messages
76
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Do not get one with a 90 hp. You'll be disappointed with the performance. especially<br />for skiing. The 90 SJ and 120 SJ are Force motors which Mercury no longer builds. I would spend a little more money and get 97 or newer. Thats when they updated the electronics Parts are going to get tough to find for pre 97.
 

johnkc

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 12, 2001
Messages
388
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Ron, look under the flywheel ,see if the stator is red or black .red is good , black is orig. and were the ones with problems
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Cootie and johnkc are right. Stick with the later models.
 

rtrent

Recruit
Joined
Dec 26, 2001
Messages
5
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Thanks all. Not sure if a '97 or newer's in my budget. If anybody has any other issues with '94 to '96, I'd appreciate knowing. Thanks!!
 

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Ron, cootie an john are right..later are better, however most older units have been back fitted with later stuff, the older electrics failed rapidly......the later ignition systems are best, can tell them by 'XR' in model number [95xr 120xr] weak points, worst first, are water ingestion,stators,starters,rev limiters,flywheel magnets.....past this stuff, they are ok units....some of this is from poor design, but not all of it mercs fault...most of these boats had very poor bilge ventilation, causing alot of the corrosion failures....
 

rtrent

Recruit
Joined
Dec 26, 2001
Messages
5
Re: Mercury Sportjet

Thanks for the replies!! This is a great forum. I saw someone else mention that he had no more problems after he started keeping the engine hatch propped open when storing. Thanks again!!!
 
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