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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Hi, I'm just wondering what the life cycle of a typical outboard motor is for most muskie hunters ( in Hrs. used)
I have heard that 1,000-1,500 hrs. on a 200-250hp outboard(two stroke) is like putting on 100,000 miles on a car.
I was talking to a guide a while back and he said that he got about 7,000 hrs. out of his last motor(4-stroke? I think) in two and a half yrs.!!
Thats a heck of allot of hrs. I thought I was out on the water allot with 260 hrs. on a 2yr. old motor.
I don't troll much.
So, what do you guys think ? and how many hrs have you put on an outboard motor ?
Jerome |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Jerome, I don't think anyone can say how many hours one can put on some outboards, as many are still putting hard hours on motors well over 20 years old. I run a 1984 Yamaha 40HP that I bought in 1995, and wouldn't want to guess the hours on it(probably in the 5000 hour range). Some motors go in a year or less, while some outboards will last longer than most think with even the hours that the hard pounders put on them. That said, I think it can be said that the smaller outboards like mine, have been known to last longer that the big stuff. My father taught me that taking good care of it, goes a long way to preserve it's life. Good oil, frequent lower unit changes, tune ups, quality fuel, and good winterization steps all have helped.
Edited by Reef Hawg 1/18/2007 5:25 PM
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Jason,
Its good to hear from you.
I guess I was talking about bigger motors, because the smaller motors should last longer.
You have done real well to get that many hrs. or years out of your motor. I also believe in taking care of the eq. with regular maint. work.
Oh, by the way your 332c/ GPS does keep track of hrs. used just as a guide.
I'm sure that some guys have many hrs./years of good use from there motors. And some guys have horror stories about this stuff.
I'd like to hear more about this topic.
Jerome
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Jerome,
I have heard some of the same numbers from guys on the trail. I know a Guide/PMTT angler who blows up a motor every 800 to 1000 hours. I have not put my 1999 OPTI 225 on a computer yet but I would guess it had way over 1000 hours on it and it'sa still working perfect. Good oil, plugs, and proper care is huge with motors. I hope to get a lot more hours out of mine. So far I have 7 seasons without a problem out of my motor. |
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| I have over 600 hours on a 1998 135 Optimax.
95% of these hours are at trolling RPM's so I expect to get well over 1000 hours out of this motor. |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | In theory I suppose a 4 stroke should last longer than a 2 stroke, certainly true in motorbikes, but in practice no idea. |
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | They all can last a long time. Why do some people get 250k from a car, its all about the TLC. Proper maintenance, quality of fuel, and overall care in driving the rig will make it last a long time. Some important things to do
1. Change the impeller frequently
2. Change lower unit fluid
3. Run carbon guard in gas or decarb engine
4. Let engine warm up at launch 3-5 min. Dont hammer down on colder days, take it easy for a while. When an engine heats up the Piston and cylinder walls expand. Hammering down from idle with no warm up will heat the piston faster than the cylinder walls(water cooled) and cold seizures can happen.
5. Install a water pressure guage.
6. Use quality oil.(Synthetic TCW3 burns cleaner and contains no carbon based petroleum products which adhere to the piston rings and head)
Merc has the smart craft system which enables the operator to view internal diagnostics from water pressure, fuel used to cylinder temp. TLC goes a long way when you make an investment.
Lots of good info at
http://www.bassboatcentral.com/index.htm
http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/index.html
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Posts: 412
Location: Waukesha, WI | Running_Hot - 1/16/2007 8:57 AM
Some important things to do
Change the impeller frequently
I've heard every other year for the impeller. I haven't used my '01 Merc 90HP much the years prior to last. I'm thinking I should have this replaced this spring, but is it one of those things where if it isn't broken, don't fix it?
Couple of other items I was thinking about having done is the carbs synched, fuel system pressure tested (once again gas fumes or vinyl volatile smell), linkage adjusted. I replaced the plugs and wires last year so they should be good awhile.
Thoughts please. |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | It all falls on how well you take care of your Motor and How you use it, If you perform regular Maintenance ( Changing, Plugs,Oil,Filters,Lower Unit Oil, ETC) and
don't abuse it ( FULL THROTTLE ALL THE TIME, FULL THROTTLE FROM A DEAD STOP, ETC ) the motor should last for years
I don't know how many times I've heard this Brand Motor Sucks Because it has a poor Hole Shot and Blows up after ### Hours, Well Guess What your Car/Truck would Do the same.
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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | I run a 1982 75hp Evinrude that hasn't been treated very well. Bought it from a relative who hardly winterized it. it's a bit loud and smoky, but runs great and starts every time. Never let me down.. go figure. |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Before "Priapism" (bought last year) I ran a '56 johnson 30 horse for 11 years, on a 57 Mirro-craft. Its was re-built 5 years before i got it from my dad, who ran it 7-8 years, and he never had it winterized. In my 11 years (when it ran, lol, I put an easy 60 hours a year on it, until Lori and I came to the sad realization that "El Lugar Muhado" had to be sold (K-bob remembers this trip well, as i was beating on the starter with a rubber mallet). Outboards are like dogs. wimpy, or tough as nails.
Edited by muskynightmare 3/15/2007 10:57 PM
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Longest Lasting Outboards?