When to call it quits?

krosemond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Messages
198
First of all, I want to thank everyone who helped me this summer with my 79 Johnson 150. Every winter for the past five since I inherited this boat, I have entertained a repower for the next season. From the help I got here this year, it is running the best it ever has in my recollection. When do I call it quits???<br /><br />But I don't want to wait for it to die offshore, and I don't want to get scared to go, so when do I repower? My gut says I can get another year. The longer I wait, the better the technology gets with new engines, and maybe they will come up with a 4 stroke with enough power and less weight that will work on this 20'Robalo.<br /><br />Whattaya think?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Swampdogg
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: When to call it quits?

Ahoy, Swampdogg. I agree. Suzuki has a DF140 coming in December that weighs only a bit over 400lb. The others will have to do something similar to compete. Look for 150 to 175 4 strokes under 500lb by the end of next year.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB :)
 

fishthebay

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 17, 2001
Messages
180
Re: When to call it quits?

Keep it and get sea tow for $95.00 bucks a year. They will tow you up to 100 miles out.<br /><br />Unlimited. Run her til she blows up.
 

krosemond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Messages
198
Re: When to call it quits?

Fishthebay, I waved the SeaTow guy down at shackleford banks(NC) this summer and signed up on the water. My brother had to get towed in labor day when he bent the steering rod and the bill was $150. I am in the black!! Good thing it goes with the boat, not the operator. <br /><br />I figure the engine has a value of zero, so whats to lose? Sea Tow is great to get home if you need them, but my luck insures she will blow up 20 miles offshore with a storm bearing down on me. I do carry a sea anchor, cause this boat drifts *ss to the sea without power, and has a cut-out transom. Are there any signs of impending meltdown? If it starts running poorly, I won't go, but will it be running great, and then just die?<br /><br />The boat runs great, it actually turned 5500 WOT the other day on the lake, the highest of the year, which I attribute to re-propping, decarbing the motor a couple of times and burning 87 octane gas for the whole summer. Having run a diesel for 10 years, it was fun learning outboard maintenance with this old engine. <br /><br />As soon as my alimony obligation is up (yes, I gave away the farm!), I will be ready to get back in a bigger boat, but I have had so much fun with this boat, I will keep it too, maybe for my son, who, at 12 is turning into quite the carport hack, helmsman, and fisherman.<br /><br />JB, I thought you would catch the handle from THT forum. I was here first, but hang around there more now, especially since the boat is running good. Most be a FL thing. :D
 

krosemond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Messages
198
Re: When to call it quits?

One more thing JB..the Yamaha website has the 200 and 225 listed at 583#. I wonder how much the ol' Johnson weighs.
 
Joined
Aug 21, 2001
Messages
13
Re: When to call it quits?

Krosemond , IT"S A KEEPER! Run it till it dies. I'm in the same boat, 1978 235 Evinrude that still running and does not owe me a dime. I have Sea Tow insurance also, having my two boys out with me most of the time, you need it. I usually pack a few extra sandwiches and snacks, and the boys bring game boys with them.If the unexpected happens and the engine does die, grab the phone, make the call, dish out the food and game boys to the kids and enjoy the ride.You can get a lot of tows for $95 a year, compared to $8000 or so for a new engine.You never know with these oldies but goodies. If they made it this far,in my eyes then there a keeper to the end.RUN HER TILL SHE DIES!! FAMILY CRUISER :D
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: When to call it quits?

Run it, get the Sea Tow, and don't sweat it. Proper maintenance will carry you a long way. I have a 63 Merc and it has plenty of life in it. You put more time on your car engine in a week than you do on your boat engine all year, but you don't replace your car every year. There is no need for a boat engine to be any different. That outboard is made with the same quality and durability as an automotive drivetrain, if not more. It's when you just run it without maintenance that you have problems. Good luck.......
 

Dunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 11, 2001
Messages
127
Re: When to call it quits?

Don't you guys think it's cheezy idea to be telling people to keep a worn out engine and buy Seatow? Next thing you know Seatow is charging 250 a year instead of 95..<br /><br /> K, I wasn't saying your engine was worn out, but a little checking wouldn't hurt. Run a compression check, that crossflow should be popping at 120-130 in each cylinder. If she's up on compression and she's not making any wierd knocking noises I'd run her. Just stay on her with Seafoam or any other carbon remover, fresh plugs, OMC oil and fresh fuel.<br /><br /> I owned two 20 ft robalos and 23 over the years. The first 20(1974) had a pair of 70hp Johnsons on her and she was a dog. We cleared that problem up with 235hp. The other one had a pair of 115's on her. You'll hate that boat with anything less than V6 on her so forget the 4 cylinder 4 strokes. Both of mine had the straight transom built for twins, without that cut out and the deck was still wet all the time. You put a 500lb 4 stroke on there without rebuilding the transom to 25" you better invest in rubber boots. That's if they are even going to make big 4 strokes in 20", so you might need a transom job before going that way.<br /><br /> I think you best bet is to run her next year(and stay out of that above 5000rpm zone) and look around for good clean used 150 or 175. Something 3-4 years old off a boat of guy that trades that often. Talk to your local marinas about what's coming in...<br /><br /> That 150 you have weighs 400lbs.
 

krosemond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Messages
198
Re: When to call it quits?

Thanks Dunk.<br /><br />I have been paying really close attention to all systems, not just the engine. I don't turn her above 5000 but just for 30 seconds every now and then. Compression checks, she is running at good temps and is as smooth as she was when dad had her new. I have worn out a couple of cars, and the signs were obvious. It was a slow burn. The advice I was really looking for were signs that she was wearing out. I learned to boat on this boat with my Dad, but it was fairly new at the time and he maintained the engine. Then I moved to Florida and bought a single diesel boat, which I ran for 10 years and it was like the energizer bunny. When I adopted this boat again, I had to learn about outboards.<br /><br />I did throw a rod in my first car, a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine. Sudden death. I was too young and inexperienced to see the signs. Is that how this outboard is going to die? Massive cardiac arrest while running a marathon?<br /><br />On the SeaTow issue: I would hope boaters would not look at that as a back up, and feel that it is some sort of a safety net. I think SeaTow banks on (if not assumes)the fact that most of us will do everything in our power and knowledge, to keep from having to get towed, or be stranded in any situation. That is why they call it insurance. It should be treated like life insurance, just cause you have it, you still do everything you can to keep breathing. :D
 
Top