Would you buy a 98 merc 90hp 2-stroke?

[rogue-wave]

New fella here but not new to boating....
I'm looking at a 98 B.Whaler with a 98 90hp merc 2-stroke on it with 160 original hours. The Boat and motor are pristine, garage kept fresh water only. The fella selling it just spent $1,100. bucks having carbs rebuilt and all lines replaced.
My new guy question to everyone is...would you buy (own) one of these motors or are they to problematic and stay away?
Thank you for any input

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, welcome to iboats!

What area do you live in? If in CA, than a 2 stroke may not be the best choice.

 

[ondarvr]

Good motors, no real issues.

 

[fhhuber]

Actually... I'd go 4-stroke if possible. The new 4-strokes use a LOT less fuel than the 2-strokes.

For an engine that old... its going to be mostly a question of condition vs price.
Would you buy a car that old?

 

[fishin98]

I would not worry, I had a 2000 90 on my 2000 Bayliner Capri. Great motor, easy on fuel. The main reason people have issues, is they DO NOT run the motor out of fuel when putting away for extended periods, I learned the HARD way. Replace the water pump impellor for piece of mind, mine lasted usually 2- 3 years here in Fl.
WOT RPM is 5800, motor is Happy to run at 3500-5000 all day long, motor has plenty of low end power.

 

[rogue-wave]

Thank you for all the good input. I really appreciate it.

 

[canufixit]

Hi there, welcome to iboats!

What area do you live in? If in CA, than a 2 stroke may not be the best choice.

To me - it comes down to need, desire, possible frustration and the good old Dollar.

To me the buy sounds too good to pass up. If you have the moola and want better - where there you go ...

 

[GA_Boater]

As long as the whole package is in your price range and a water test drive goes well, no reason not to consider buying. For me and fresh water boating in the Lone Star state, A '98 motor would be no concern as long as it starts easily and runs well during the water test.

 

[gm280]

I hear the fuel consumptions stated a few times and then wonder, if fuel consumption is the main driving force, why even boat at all. Boating isn't the best hobby to get into if money is an issue. So if the engine looks good and you can afford it, go for it. The difference between a 2 cycle and 4 stroke wouldn't be a deciding factor with me. I know money for fuel is all part of the experience. JMHO!

 

[GA_Boater]

I hear the fuel consumptions stated a few times and then wonder, if fuel consumption is the main driving force, why even boat at all. Boating isn't the best hobby to get into if money is an issue. So if the engine looks good and you can afford it, go for it. The difference between a 2 cycle and 4 stroke wouldn't be a deciding factor with me. I know money for fuel is all part of the experience. JMHO!

The OP never mentioned fuel use.

It's an example of typical responses when an opinion about a particular situation is asked for and some opine with off-topic comments. It's Forum life. :smile:

Now lets stay on topic and talk about a 1998 Merc 90 2 stroke.

 

[Texasmark]

I had the '02, bought in '04. Changed the impeller after I bought it....didn't need it. Changed the impeller in 2014 did somewhat need it, and gave the carbs a (their first) look see. Pieces of hose in the carbs but no gum/varnish, needle good, float good. Benefits of running Sea Foam in every tank. Gave it away in 2015 (charity).

I didn't go out all that much so it would sit for a month or two between outings. When I would go out, it was cold natured till I got it out past the "no wake" markers and got through the stumbling start of the first hole shot.....halfway through that it would find itself and take off. After that ran and started like a top all day. Very fuel efficient being a looper.

You had the hoses replaced and the carbs looked at so you got that done. Only other thing would be the impeller in the water pump should probably be replaced unless it was done in the last couple of years. Oh, and you probably need to put in a new tank to engine fuel line with new OEM Quicksilver/Merc. bulb....no problems with them. That fuel line degraded on mine too after 10 years.

Engine likes to run so at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) keep the rpms up around the max recommended of 5500. I ran mine between 5600 and 5800 and she loved it. The picture in my avatar was that engine on my 17' alum. bass boat and GPS'd at 48 mph (where the pic was taken with my cell phone, over my shoulder) running a 24P Ballistic SS.

 

[quicktach]

Test drive it with fresh gas. I like to check the gear oil for any filings, signs of water - sample a bit.

 

[rogue-wave]

Thanks again y'all. The seller did tell me the "fiberglass" oversize gas tank he installed years ago went to crap due to the ol' ethanol clusterjob. It now has a new 22 gallon professionally installed polyethylene tank.
I went ahead a bought it, subject to a lake trial tomorrow. nice!

 

[Silvertip]

If you do a search in the Iboats forum about "fuel economy study" you will find that two strokes and four strokes of the era were not as far apart on fuel consumption as you might be led to believe. The study was done by me using manufacturer published data on the same boats and data from my own 75 HP Merc (same engine as the 90) using a fuel flow monitor. You cannot compare fuel economy on these two technologies using RPM charts vs fuel flow. Use actual speed VS fuel flow. Two strokes of the era were almost always pushing a boat faster than a two stroke at any given speed and on plane much sooner so fuel economy at speed was much closer and in some cases, actually better than a four stroke. Look around, that study should be around yet.

 

[rogue-wave]

Just checking in….a few years later lol

Went ahead a bought the Whaler, what a great boat ! The Merc. worked perfect, I’d spin it fairly high. Took it all over Casco Bay (ME) for about 5 years, in all kinds of weather and sea conditions, as said, great boat.

We now have a Grady White 282 Sailfish that has a small cabin with a head, mandatory for the wife.

thanks again y’all

 

[ahicks]

4 stroke spoiled here too, but if my budget only allowed for a 2 stroke, I'd have no problem with this one....