What's Wrong with a Force?

[Aggiepup]

While I am new to posting on this site, but I have learned the answer to many questions through here for over a year now. Thanks for you guys who share your knowledge with others. I know Force is the equivilant of the Ford Pinto in the outboard world in terms of reputation, but I have heard and seen a lot of newer model mercs, yamaha's, johnsons, etc. that don't sound near as smooth as my 22 year old carburated 125 hp force engine. It is so simple to work on that I completely disassembled the lower unit to check the bearings and seals and never got confused or frustrated. I think they are probably a little more fragile than some other engines and won't tolerate abuse or stupidity from the owner. But if they are set up right, I can turn 5,000 all day long in it and never worry that it will crap out. I understand it may only be equivilant to a 100 hp merc, but my heavy fishing boat will run 45when correctly propped and trimmed and hang with all but the biggest boats. Other than hard to find parts, they are inexpensive and easy to work on if you are mechanically gifted. Just a thought, would like to here yours.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

I like my 1996, 120 force. It starts when i turn the key runs strong and has not given me any trouble todate.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

Won't tolerate abuse or stupidity from the owner. But if they are set up right, I can turn 5,000 all day long in it and never worry that it will crap out.

I think human nature makes people do stupid things. But from the sounds of other threads like this on the board, as long as you remember to mix your gas and oil and don't set your carbs too lean a force should last a long time and be very easy to work on. They're also considered to be "old technology," I don't care mine gets the job done.

 

[RRitt]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

One nieghbor had a really nice cruiser with stern drive. He dropped 15K last year when the cold salty water flowing through his mainfolds ate up his engine. Had the transom covered over and got a good deal on last year's Merc.

We have a saying around here ... "there's two types of boaters. Those that run aground and those that don't go out." The gulf around here has ankle deep sandbars 2-3 miles from shore.

Another neighbor has a really nice 2YO center console with big twin Yammies. He drops about 2000-3000 a year on marina maintenance. His boat is too big for skinny water and he needs a lot of high priced mechanics.

Now both of their boats run really sweet. And there is no doubt that if the three of us pulled up to cheeseburger in paradise resturaunt at same time that they would get the oos and the aaahs. And if you want to go 40 miles offshore the big twin yammie cruiser is the only boat that can go 40-50mph through a chop. But ... mine is the only one that has never been towed home ... mine is the only one that has started every single time ever that the key is turned .... and mine is the only one that costs $60 per engine per year to maintain. If you stay within 15 miles of shore then they all catch the same fish. So ... i'm happy with my old trophy CC.

 

[sschefer]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

Force, hum... hear a lot of bad things about them but if they are so bad how come so many parts interchange with Mercs/Mariners. I don't have a clue what the relationship is and really don't care. I find it to just be ironic that if a stator fails on a Merc we say replace the stator. If the same stator fails on a Force we say replace the engine. Makes no sense to me.

I think, (can't be positive) that I once saw that a powerhead replacement for a force was the same powerhead as the mariner which was the same powerhead as a merc. I'm pretty sure it was 100-115's in the 88-91 series. It might have just been that series.

 

[heycookieman]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

Hey RRITT want c/c do you have. I have a 21 c/c bayliner with a 125 on it. I think it's called a 2110. I love the boat so far it's got a lot of room to move around in it.

 

[RRitt]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

it's an old 88/89 trophy fishing boat with 85hP 25" twins. really thick hull. sideswiped sanibel bridge pretty good and it just bounced off. Put both batteries up under console with switch. Never had another battery problem, the boat sits almost level in water, and props don't dig for sandbars at intercoastal speed limits. Replumbed the live well to circulate ocean water ... cut out the tiny little factory "cooler" and put in a huge fishing cooler. Bought the kind with padded top and cut it in with a sealing lip. My fishing buddy has a grady white that stays at home. It has a wider beam which is nice ... but when its all said and done it's not a big enough difference to mkae up for twins. Mexico is a really long drift from here. We lose 2-3 people every year to boating failures.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

I say let the ignorance continue on force because it's a cheap way to get you moving on the water if you know better than what you hear!

 

[heycookieman]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

Thanks Rritt, it sounds like my boat. Putting the batteries under the console I like that idea and the cooler I'm all ready looking in to. Tight lines and thanks for all your help.

 

[RRitt]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

i bought the super heavy gauge jumper cables from auto parts store and used a propane torch to solder solid lugs onto each end. Got a pair of stainless carriage bolts and mounted them through hull where batteries were originally. Used carriage bolts as splice point between engine power cables and battery cable (switch output). Used switch to keep other one battery at full charge while anchored while other ran livewell, stereo, etc. It was single best mod I ever made to boat. second best was taking off clunky aluminum siding and installing vertical rod racks at rear of each side. boat just didn't come with good way to store 10 or so rods during travel.

no, actually, second best mod was lining top engine cowls with thick neoprene. twins were loud and could barely hear yourself think before that.

 

[john from md]

Re: What's Wrong with a Force?

I lined my 85 with neoprene and now you can talk to someone when you are above idle.

I have several friends that laughed at me fishing the chesapeake with my 16ft Capri and 'antique' 85hp Force. Funny thing, I seem to be out on the water more than they are with their Grandy Whites and fancy Ray Marine radars.

From 1.5 knots to 40 knots, my Force 'takes a licking and keeps on ticking.'
(pardon the copyright infringement)

John (who hopes to catch "Diamond Jim" a stripped bass worth $10,000)