Is it worth putting a new motor on a 28 year old boat?

[Lt. Dan]

So it has come to the point where I am really not happy with my old 150 mercury. It sputters at low rpms, gets terrible fuel milage, hard to start the first time for the day, and smells bad. Plus I hate mixing the oil. The only upside is the power.
The boat itself is solid and the toons are bigger than I would expect for that year (23 1/2" diameter).
So I am checking on a price for a new Mercury 115 with hydraulic steering and new controls which will be around $11,000. What are the opinions of a new motor on a boat this old? Worth it or wait for the boat shows to hit and see what I can find new?

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[Gonefishing]

While depends on if you are happy with what you have. For another 20,000 you can get a very nice band new toon

[RcgTexas]

Yep, Depends on you and your needs mostly.

I rebuilt a 1995 Beachcomber put a third log on it with a motor mount and a 135 Honda.

I like it because its got a new deck vinyl floor and a new motor and it scoots. I don't sweat someone landing alongside and I don't worry about sandy feet and fish flopping on the deck.

Its not shiny new and is not modern but it is solid and serves my purposes. I have 16,000 in it now( the rebuild and motor) and I have no note on it which is the best part for me.

[ROLAND]

I don't know if I'd put a brand new motor on a boat that age.. but I think I might look into trying to find a 4 or 5 year old motor to use.. A lot cheaper and as long as it's checked out by a mechanic should serve you well....that would be my preference, but if I had to buy a brand new motor, I might consider just getting a new toon...

[rancherlee]

really don't need hydraulic steering for a 115, I installed a teleflex Xtreme cable when I put my 140 Suzuki on and its easy to steer. Also, dealers around here have been closing out Mercury 115's for under 8000$ recently.

[Seon]

I don't know if I'd put a brand new motor on a boat that age.. but I think I might look into trying to find a 4 or 5 year old motor to use.....

Exactly what I did. Deep sixed the Merc 2 stroke and replaced it with a used, low hours Yami 4 stroke.

[vlxerdon]

I purchased a rebuilt motor with controls at a very low price for my older boat. The boat in it's entirety was in excellent condition or I would not have done that.

That being said,I believe I would go along with others here,new motor on a new boat.

IMHO,used or rebuilt would be the way to go if you want to keep your present boat. That and a buck will get ya a cup of coffee.


JD

[Lt. Dan]

Let me add a little more.
I also want to make it a rear entry and possibly add a center tube.

[Bamaman]

My neighbor put a used 115 Johnson on his pontoon comparable to yours, and it's been troublesome.

My local dealer is at http://jacosmarine.com/mercury-engine-pricing/ and he's between $8000 and $8300 for a new 115 hp four stroke. It appears that Mercury has special engine financing (0%, $0 down, no payments f/6 mos.) and free engine mounting (until 12/31).

A good cable steering system is just fine for 115 hp.

[Tim in Michigan]

We purchased a new pontoon this past September, and i was concerned if a 90 HP mercury would be an adequate power train choice. I suggested to the salesperson that if it turned out not to be, i might upgrade later on. The salesperson said that upgrading to a higher HP outboard later on, would be much more expensive than selecting an upgrade at time of purchase. He said this is because of the pontoon manufactures ability to purchase large volumes of outboards at lower cost, thus charging lower costs to the consumer for power train packages included with new pontoons. 90 HP Mercury option package on our pontoon was $2665.00. 150 HP Mercury option package was $7800.00. 90 HP Mercury turned out to be a great choice for our Bennington 2375 GCW. Top speed with twin elliptical tubes and lifting strakes is 28 MPH.