possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

[tjspeed25]

I am looking at purchasing a 1988 Invader boat to putt around the lake it is powered with a 1986 75hp Mercury Outboard 4cyl 2-stroke I was wonder how reliable are these motors? I was planning on doing a compressing test before the purchase and looking for any rot overall it seems really clean and, is there anything else I should note...I plan on replacing plugs, gear oil and cleaning the carbs. Thank you for any help or advice you may have to offer.
Tim P

 

[racerone]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

It will require a new water pump impeller too.

 

[wired247]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

Thats a lot of boat for 75 HP. Boats should ALWAYS be test driven on the water. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS !!!!!

 

[oldman570]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

You should check the LU oil plug for any metal flakes . Asking the seller for a test run on the water will get you a good idea as to just how the total setup works and preforms. This would answer most all the questions you would have, and if the seller is dealing in good faith.
JMO Oldman570

 

[MikDee]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

It looks like a Great boat! Are you sure it's a 4 cycle, I didn't think they had 4 cycle engines back in 1986?

 

[racerone]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

?????----------It clearly says 4 cyl 2 stroke.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

4 cylinder, 2 stroke

 

[Texasmark]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

Agree on power possibly a limitation. You need to understand what you want to do with the boat. If you want to load it up with folks on a Sunday afternoon and go water skiing and all, expect to be disappointed. You didn't say how long that boat is (I'm estimating 17') but when you start adding weight (people, lunch, gear, etc.) power requirements for reasonable performance increase rapidly. Then if you add attempting to hole shot a skier or two, especially a big guy on a slalom then you really need the ponies. Additionally if this big guy wants to ski at 35 mph you really need the ponies....and 35 is not uncommon for an experienced skier. BTDT

Otherwise look for signs of wood rot and cracked glass.

Mark

 

[wired247]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

I had the I/O version of the same boat with a 140 HP 4 cylinder and it would do 40 ish but begrudgingly.

 

[MikDee]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

?????----------It clearly says 4 cyl 2 stroke.

Oops! sorry

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

Is that the one at Eleanor, WV

 

[quicktach]

Re: possibly buying 88 invader with 75 mercury HELP!!

Check your wiring for cracks, brittleness, any burnt spots? Check your spark with a spark tester ...get a good purple/blue spark. Pull plugs and look inside cylinder...any heavy carbon build up on cylinders; any signs of scoring on cylinder walls ? Run motor on a lake ...check a hole shot for vibrating, sluggish run up...