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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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'96 Evinrude 9.9 LS opinions/experience?

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/17/2005 : 00:39:32

I may have the opportunity to pick up this motor for around $500. Purportedly, it has no more than 200 hours on it and has recently been overhauled [edit: in search of a starting problem that ended up being the power pack, which now needs replacing in order for the electric start feature to work. This engine is a four-stroke, is said to run perfectly, and is being sold by an extremely reputable acquaintance.]

Any opinions and/or experience with this motor?

Thanks,

J.B. Manley s/v Sea Trac Allied Seawind II #65
DPO s/v Antares Catalina 25 #4849
Association Treasurer 2002 - 2006
Association Bookkeeper 2002 - 2008
Association Quartermaster 2004 - 2008

Edited by - Sea Trac on 04/17/2005 08:44:39

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2005 : 06:12:38

I've had an 9.9 two stroke Evinrude since I bought my boat new in '89. It's given me good service. Last season it ran for 5 to 6 hour stretches on my 8 day cruise without any problems. These are generally good motors although their popularity has fallen off since Yamaha and Taihatsu have hit the market.

Is this a two stroke? Four stroke? One of those transitional motors Evinrude was developing before it was bought out by Bombardier? I understand they had some problems with those.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2005 : 07:17:01

I have this engine. It is pretty good. I would only pay that if the motor was running well. I had a rough running condition on mine when I bought boat. A tune up did not help. It took 3 trips to the mechanic and $200 in carb work to get it running right.

Just look past the price and ask yourself if it is worth it. You could be putting $500 into a new engine that has the potential to cost you far more than that in the long run.

Tom.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 09:47:52

I have an 1996 two stroke extra long shaft 9.9 Sailmaster and posted about the power pack problem a while back. The power pack is an ignition part and doesn't have anything to do with whether or not the electric start will work. With a weak power pack the engine won't start after a few days of laying idle either electrically or manually. Except for the power pack problem, my outboard runs great, but it's a 2 stroke so I can't speak to the four stroke reliablility.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 10:58:07

I have a 2000 Evinrude 9.9 4S Long Shaft that has been trouble free.

I bought it in Oregon to avoid CA tax. It was more than a year old, model end, at the dealer's and he gave me a deal because the LS with the 4 bladed prop was not a popular model in the river area. (Apparently he got it as a package of engines of various models from OMC)

All in, delivered, I paid $1960.

I like the power and drive. It usually starts on the second or third pull. Although I have e-start, I don't use it. It charges my batteries full every time I am out, so I do not use my shore-charger.

It is heavy though! You will need to add helper springs or get an upgraded mount. I use a gin pole rig to lift it from the dock and install it by myself. I also made a four wheel cart to haul it to and from and put it in my van.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 22:35:31

Thanks for all the great information. I spoke with the shop that has the motor on Monday. Apparently, the power pack has been ordered, but not pick up and installed. I begged that the motor be running when I go to look at it on Saturday.

Tom, we think a lot alike.

Mark, the shop guy also mentioned that the motor will not start (electric or pull) with a bad power pack. What is this thing, a capacitor acting similar to the coil in a car?

Jim, I'm concerned about the weight, too. I just installed, prior to 8HP being stolen, a new Garhauer motor mount; dual spring with heavier frame. I believe the mount is rated up to 150#, but more realistically to 100#. My research indicates the '96 Evinrude 9.9/4S weighs in right around 100#, so I think I'd be okay. Would you agree?

Finally, a subsequent discussion with the owner revealed that he also had problems with a couple of the switches (kill switch and start switch?). A couple OEM replacements that failed drove him to the auto parts store for non-OEM replacements, which he says have been working just fine ever since. Also, he added an ampmeter to the charging unit.

Additionaly thoughts? I REALLY appreciate all the input and advice, as I'm not in the financial position to make the wrong decision right now.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2005 : 11:46:03

About the weight...

I installed two helper coil springs and rebuilt the bushings on the original mount. I also replaced the two sides of the handle-lock thingy with heavier SS that I had cut in a machine shop using the originals as a pattern. The sides tend to bend.

I reinforced inside the transom with a big plywood (7/8) piece too.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2005 : 12:57:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jwilliams
 I reinforced inside the transom with a big plywood (7/8) piece too.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, I started having visions of a very large and rugged quarterberth portlight after having made my last post. Thanks for confirming my fears; it'll goad me into taking the time to immediately reinforce the transom, rather than see-how-it-does-for-awhile.

Thanks again.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2005 : 11:11:18

Wow, this is a BIG motor, and the shop guys told me it runs closer to 150#, than 100#.

So, the search continues. :-(

Thanks again to everyone for the information.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2005 : 18:38:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 

Mark, the shop guy also mentioned that the motor will not start (electric or pull) with a bad power pack. What is this thing, a capacitor acting similar to the coil in a car?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sort of an electronic ignition module. The power pack supplies the ignition voltage and if its shot the engine gets no spark. Mine was weak and would start only if the engine was warm. Once it was running it ran fine and would start right up for the rest of the day. Since it's been replaced, no problems at all.

I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner but my the hard drive on my computer passed away and my son is replacing it for me. I'm using a borrowed computer which isn't always available.

Edited by - oldsalt on 04/24/2005 18:40:36

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