poor and boating

[one more cast]

poor and boating

I notice that many of you do a lot of maintenance on your boats to keep them in top shape. That means spending a lot of money and then tell others that boating is to expensive for us poor people. Well I am just here to say that it doesn't have to be that way. My 1983 35 horse Johnson has never been winterized, the carb has never been rebuilt,I run the gas that was left over from last year,and the motor has never been rebuilt and it runs great. Now that being said I think I will go out and uncover it and pray that it still runs.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

You don't often hear someone admit that they have a small older Johnson! Lets hope it keeps working for you.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Good for you. We are on an old canal system with old expanded trailers ( oops, manufactured homes ). 3/4 of the boats here are seasonal and are run 3 to 4 months a year, the rest of the time they are on lifts or davets. Surprizely people have very few problems,i/os being the exception ( very few of them ). Dont know if its the little usage, not going WOT, god watching over old people, but they keep on running. Seems that the equipment is very reliable if you dont abuse it. By the way, you anywhere neer BATAVIA ? Whats boating season 2 months ? SORRY. regards FRED

 

[Straightup]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Hehee, my Grandfather had an early 50's 15 Horse Evinrude at a cabin up north. My uncle now has the cabin and engine. Neither of them ever did one hint of Maint. to the engine! In fall, run it out of fuel, in spring connect fuel line. To my amazement, that engine runs unbelievable. 1/2 pull and it is purring like a kitten. On full it has gobs of power! I personally am one of the guys that does my own maint. and keeps all MY stuff in tiptop shape, but that Evinrude still amazes me. What a sweetie.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[one more cast]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I'm a little farther north then Batavia. I use my boat from about May-October. It may be small but it makes me happy! And by the way, 8 gallons of gas will get me through the average weekend camping and fishing on the lake. I don't need to impress anyone. If I lived on the water then I would have a nicer more comfortable boat but just for fishing a half dozen times a month my little 16 footer is just fine. I do keep everything lubed, and adjusted and keep the LU grease fresh and I think I changed the plugs and replaced the waterpump impeller in the last 5 years.

 

[johnson-liner]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Yes, always a good idea to at least keep your Johnson lubed. Especially an older one. My Johnson is a little newer and bigger than yours, so I always make sure the (LU) fluid is not milky in addition to keeping it lubed well.<br /><br />

 

[Belchy]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

OMC, I got the same year and HP. of outboard you do. I don't do a thing to it either, other than change the gear oil in it every spring, you know you are gonna go out and she is gonna run...no worries there

 

[jlinder]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Glead to hear about your experiences, but have a question about how expensive maintenance is.<br /><br />I have a 5.0L OMC, so maybe I have a different frame of reference, but much of the maintenance is not expensive.<br /><br />Change fluids, plugs, rotor, dist cap, stabil in the fuel, etc. is not that bad. And in the scheme of things cheap insurance, especially based on the cost of a major repair.<br /><br />Not telling you how to take care of your equipment, just don't think it is expensive, especially in the long run.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I spend a fair amount of time and money on my Johnson (which by the way is about three times bigger than yours) mainly because it gives me confidence that it will be ready to go at a moments notice when the wife says "let's go!"

 

[Realgun]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

This is getting real bad wheres my Johnson? I use the Force! <br /><br />I alway say the cheaper the better. but I still spent the B.O.A.T. This rebuild is getting outa hand if I don't stop soon I will have a new boat.

 

[neumanns]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Poor.......Fishing six times a month.........Weekend camping with boat/family.......By who's standard you callin that "poor"....That is what I live for, beats the heck out of owning a mega bucks boat and not being able to "afford" the time to use it with family.<br /><br />Poor............I abject your Honor!!!!

 

[roscoe]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

A little Stabil, some fogging spray, some decarb spray, lower unit lube, 2 plugs, and a new impeller every "x" number of years.<br /><br />All for the grand total of about $13 a year for that Johnson you have. Proper maintenance does not need to be expensive.

 

[one more cast]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I'm not saying you shouldn't do proper maintenance, Its just a past post that I happened to remember this morning where someone told someone else that they had no business owning a boat. I just wanted to make it clear that you don't have to be wealthy to enjoy boating. In fact I need to do a little needed repair/maintenance on the old Johnson before it hits the water this spring.

 

[roscoe]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

Not lecturing you omc, just adding to your assertion that boating need not be costly.<br /><br />My '85 15 johnny went 18 years with no service but plugs and l/u lube. Then I bought it and I spend about $10 a year on it.<br /><br />Nice asphalt-Cam.

 

[90skichallenger]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I have found the amount of maintenance also depends on where you live. when I "winterize" here in central texas I just drain the gas lines, carb and water lines,but ya gotta know I use my boat roughly 10 months out of the year here. I am however a stickler on motor maintenance. Tune ups, oilchanges, tranny fluid etc. will really extend the life of your motor and have it run at peak efficiency. I also am a poor boater I am a SGT in the Army and that doesnt pay the best in the world, but maintenace is a whole lot less expensive than major repairs.<br />Later,

 

[20/20]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I own a lighttwin 4hp bought it rebuilt had to fix a blown head gasket{guy forgot to tighten head bolts during rebuild} I have had the engine 13 years and haven't done anything but change oil keep clean and lube. I ran it up until last year{got a bigger engine} Thing runs like crazy no problems ever. I guess if you start off with a good engine and treat it with the same respect you would want it'll give you plenty of service.

 

[cuzner]

Re: poor and boating

Re: poor and boating

I do as much maintainence as I can, but leave anything serious to the pros. I actualy enjoy doing it. But I hear where your coming from. Poor and boating, but very happy because my 40 year Johnson is still working <br /><br /> Jim