My One Shot

[round2it]

I've learned a tremdous amount from this BB. I really need some advice and opinions of the Pro's that I've seen on this BB. Like the TV says, "These guys are good!" My old motor bit the dust. With my finances, buying a new motor will be my one and only shot at continuing boating for the forseeable future. I won't be able to buy another. I am looking at buying a new, inbox Johnson 200HP, 25" shaft, from a dealer goin Out of Bus. It's for saltwater as the dealer is at beach. Here are some of my concerns: <br />1. When lookin at several pages of this BB, I see many, many problems with Johnson motors. Hopefully, that is because so many are out there.<br /><br />2. 2001 is year OMC went belly up. what kind of Quality<br /><br />3..Basically, whatcha think. Buy this motor for approx 3 grand or so less than what I want, Yamaha or wait a year or so before I can even begin to think about buying new motor. <br /><br />Sorry about long posting. I really would appreciate any opinions, pos or neg. Thanks

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Oh yeah, I didn't mention the year, 2001 motor. I may even be able to finance a bottle of 12 year ol chevas. How about it JB?

 

[MIKE F]

Re: My One Shot

What year is this "new" motor? Make sure it has the full manufacturers warranty. I believe 2000 is covered, 1999 isn't. I don't think Johnson had the problems that Evinrude had with their Ficht technology.Another thing to consider, if your previous engine was something other than an OMC product you're looking at a considerable expense to change controls etc. to OMC. Make sure if there are any service bulletins,upgrades, improvements they've all been taken care of.<br />Hope this helps. <br />You added your post while I was posting- that takes care of the year question.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: My One Shot

JRJ,<br /> From what I understand Bombardier is standing behind the newer OMC's. Aside from that Johnson/Evinrude dealers are pretty much everywhere.

 

[JRJ]

Re: My One Shot

Its a tuff call, but what are the odds you are really gonna be happy with a motor from a defunt manufacturer and an out of business dealer (to not take care of warrenty work)? Is it half price? Does the motor have a bullet proof rep?

 

[12Footer]

Re: My One Shot

I heard (same as MikeF), that Bombardier is honoring all OMC warantees. And they aren't "that bad". They have had many lower unit failures,due to a defective manufacturing techniques employeed by the sub contracted supplier,which has since been corrected.They didn't go back and retrofit the new l/u's on engines already crated,waiting instead for them to grenade on the water.<br />So expect lotsa down time. Make sure other marinas will do warrantee work. There is a reason (or reasons) why this dealer is folding. Those would have a lot to do with any decision I made on it.<br />3000buks less than a Yammie is understandable, given the reputation of the 2 builders. Yamaha simply doesn't have the returns that OMC does. Hopefully, Bombardier can turn the company around.But they can only do that if some of us take a chance on them...So, your are stuck with the envious possition of asking the Clint Eastwood question, "Do you feel lucky?"

 

[dick]

Re: My One Shot

Is the engine a FICHT or CARB ? because if it's a carb engine there pretty reliable but burn alot of fuel, a Ficht engine on the other hand I wouldn't buy. OMC had problems holding the big block fichts together (200/225) , the 60' v-6 (150/175) and v-4 (90/115) are good engines as long as all the updates are done.I would give Bombardier at least a one more model year to work out the bugs in the 200/225 ficht engines.

 

[kenthrussell]

Re: My One Shot

hi well ihave a rebuilt 1989 200v6 merc with 15 hrs on it and working great if your interested in a motor with controls compression is 124-125 on all 6

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Thks for all replies thus far. The Johnson is a carbed motor, not a fich, so that seems to be a plus. All good information. I'm going to let it sit for the weekend and go fishn with dad. Been a bone crusher of a week with all the anthrax stuff at work and I feel like chopped mince meat. Gotta have some time to recharge. Thanks again! Appreciate the offer for the merc kent, but if I do get one, really looking at a bit newer model. <br /><br />See ya monday

 

[Dunk]

Re: My One Shot

round2it, The only thing that been right on these post's is make sure it's 2000 or newer. The engine you are talking about has been running since 94 and there is no problem with them. Johnson 200's are nothing but detuned 225 stump pullers. Buy the engine at a good price and break it in right and it will run 1500-2000hrs without a problem. Any of the lower unit problems mentioned below is hearsay crap. It's the same gearcase(in different shape) they been using since 76'... It's a basic carbed Johnson. It will outrun and out perform any thing carbed from the house of the rising sun...<br /><br /> Yes, OMC went belly up, but it wasn't from bad products. The Ficht deal got ton of bad press and they did have their problems. A 40million dollar problem to get it straightened out. But a 40 mil problem doesn't kill a 1+billion dollar company. The Ficht problem was chump change compared to what George Soros was shoveling out the back door... Soros was nothing but a corp raider and OMC wound up in his way. People loose site of the fact that a 15hp engine is the biggest seller any outboard manuf has. Everything up or down in hp is on a declining scale. OMC was busy selling everything they had along with those problem Fitchs. This crap about OMC going out of business because of the Ficht is bullsh!t.<br /><br /> Bombardier, bought OMC and just introduced the new line. Johnsons...2hp-175hp. The rudes are all Fitch's 75hp to 250hp. Either Bomb or Suzuki decided not to stay with the 4 strokes, so theres no 4 stroke in the line up...at least for 2002.<br /><br /> Bomb has the horsepower and the bucks to clean up the Ficht problem....The Ficht will bury the competition once it's right.

 

[JRJ]

Re: My One Shot

I didn't know my 15 horse Johnson was built by Suzuki. I feel better now.

 

[dick]

Re: My One Shot

The 4 strokes are Suziki, the 2 strokes are OMC.

 

[JRJ]

Re: My One Shot

Thanks **** 4-stroke is what I have and am happy with it.

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Thanks for the replies. While at bch this wkend, talked to 3 owners of identical motors as Johnson I looked. None of those with whom I spoke had any problems thus far, one with more than 300 hours in just a few months. Dealer sweetened the pot even a little more, so I must feel lucky. I went with Johnson motor and will be having it put on this week. I will post my results in the future. Yammie just cost 2 much for right now. Older boat, older technology. Seems to fit.

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Thanks 4 the good responses. Good Info. Spoke with the dealer today and he sweetened the pot so to speak. I went with the Johnson, so hopefully I'm feeling lucky. I spoke with 2 boaters this wk end with virtually the same motor. Neither of them have experienced problems yet. One had approx 400 hours in just a few months. Time will tell. Getting it put on later in the week. I will post my results in the future. Sometimes you just gotta close your eyes and jump. Yammie just cost too much at this point in time for me. Thks again!

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Opps, thought the first reply didn't post.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: My One Shot

Congratulations,<br /> I think you made a good choice. Hope you have many years/hours of trouble free boating.

 

[12Footer]

Re: My One Shot

I hope you have lotsa fun with it, Round2it.<br />My boat would SINK with a big 200HP on it.<br />And that's my BIG boat <br />Use the "search" feature above and put OMC in the search field. It should bring you further info on the l/u problems (I think).<br />At any rate, Bombardier will honor it,even if it does break. And they did remedy the production problem.<br />Congrats on the new power!<br /><br />

<br /><br />These colors don't run.

 

[round2it]

Re: My One Shot

Thanks to all that replied and helped. 30 hours thus far and runs like a bat outa %$#. Approx 80 lbs heavier than the 235 tho. Stern sits a little lower, inch or two but hasn't caused problems yet. Just makes me very aware with a notched transom. Can't get out as much as I like. Pretty much once or twice a month except during the winter. Thanks again. I don't post much, but read quite a bit.

 

[DJ]

Re: My One Shot

Round2it,<br /><br />I think you made a good choice. I ditto dunk's comments 110%. Every statement he made was spot on.<br /><br />ENJOY!