Motor advice wanted

[rocky boat]

Took my 1979 Gt-!50 with the original Mercury  1978 90 hp 20 inch motor to the mechanic for a look and winterizing.  While it did work, he told me it was not in good enough shape to work on for lots of reasons, rust, scoring of the engine block, gaps etc .  So I am looking for a "new" used motor.  I want to use the boat to waterski and pull air rafts on my lake that is only 1 mile long.  What size range of motors should I look at.  (the 90 hp seemed to work well, but it had low compression and the boat leaked so there was a lot of water in it when I pulled the drain plug).  Wondering if a 90 is right, is 115 too big.  Can I go lower hp and still pull adult men water skiing if I actually have a tuned motor with full compresion?  Your advice would be great so I can start the search.

[Rich_V174SS]

For a GT150 a 90hp engine would be ideal, they get scary at high speeds over 50mph if powered with a 115. If you're doing water sports like skiing and tubing/rafting etc. you don't want to go smaller because that just means the engine is going to have to work harder.

[instep]

Nows the time to do some motor shopping most 75 to 100 horse motors will do the job if they are in good condition. Try craigslist ,make sure and check compression before you buy. I picked my motor up for $150.  I'm sure some members have motors for sale,I know where there are a few 75 Chryslers for sale, they are low budget and gettin hard to find parts but are real torquey and great for sking.

[Jason]

A donor boat is an even better way to go. Some engine's will test well on a stand but until you get them on the water you really don't know how they perform. Plus you will then have a parts boat and trailer to sell.

[instep]

Yes donor or Goodwill boats are the way to go ,it costs about a $100 to put old boat in the dump tho.still if you have time you could get a great deal with all accessories included

[Jason]

Here is the what happened to my downer boat....

Death of a Viking

[thedeuceman]

where are you located ?
there are a few things on CL around here (MN) now, most without power trim.
if yer around here i guess i have competition now ;-)
a promising merc 90 with trim i think in NE , too far for me.
http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/boa/3206952180.html

[Jason]

Keep in mind that 84 and after mercs are prop rated HP rather than crank rated.

If you go merc, try and find a newer merc without a distributer. I think about 1980 or newer.

I don't know too much about the OMC's if you go that route.

[carlsoncvx18]

I think she is located up in Alaska

[Hyperacme]

" I think she is located up in Alaska "

Yep ... She is ...

[rocky boat]

yes, I am in Alaska.  Not much on Craigs list here, so might have to ship.  My 78 had a distributor.  Will stay with 90 hp based on your advice.  (Don't want to do 50 mph on my lake).  We can take it to Big Lake 1 mile away if my friend wants to play speed boat but mainly we zip around my lake.   I saw a web site also called smalloutboards.com that sells used outboards and ships if anyone has heard of it.  I'm interested if anyone has a 90hp 2 or 4 stroke, may need controls.  Shipping may be too much but may just make up the difference in prices in Alaska.  Will also look for other boats.  (Got advice from friends to dump this boat, but I love it's character and am looking forward to fixing it up so I hope I can make it work.
One other question.  I had a lot of water in the boat when I pulled the drain plug.  I think it leaked around the rub rail and plan on caulking that this winter with 5200 marine caulk.  but wondering how you pump out the bilges.  I have a hand pump but there was no way to get to where the water was. Could only pump just in front of the gas tank. the metal gas tank, battery platform and tilt motor filled up all of the back. 

[Hyperacme]

Which city would be closest to you ?

anchorage / mat-su
fairbanks
kenai peninsula
southeast alaska

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/ak

[rocky boat]

anchorage mat su is my area

[Hyperacme]

Not sure how good it is, but easy to work on and parts are easy to get ... At leaast in the lower states ...

'79 Evinrude 75hp 2stroke prop - $1500 (Anc
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/3274133014.html



Evinrude 88HP 4 Stroke - $3500 (Cordova
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/3258982904.html


65 hp. outboard - $2000 (anchorage
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/3248169828.html



90 HP Evinrude ETEC Boat Motor - $9500 (Kenai
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/3186776125.html

[wiliermdb]

I have a beautiful 1996 Evinrude 88 SPL that I've used for skiing and pulling tubes behind my CVX-16 with no problems at all. I ran a 13 7/8 x 17 OMC SST prop. I'd love to sell it to you but I'm sure the shipping to your area would be crazy. It's on a stand in my workshop and I run it once a month on the hose.

[rocky boat]

Where are You?  In Minnesota?  I might be interested, Not sure what the shipping would be but I can at least figure it out as I might be able to find a trucking co that can ship it up here?  I also fly through minneapolis for work fairly often, might be able to fly something cargo who knows.  Karen

[wiliermdb]

If you're asking about the 88, I live in Louisiana. I need to run a compression test on it this weekend to get good numbers and I can post.