New Motor Or Not?

[Vikingbass]

OK here is the problem...I have a old 1988 Lund Renegade in decent shape except the motor is also a 1988. I luv the boat but I am also a fan of reliabilty. I have had zero problems with the current 1988 mariner 45 hp other than speed is a issue and trolling is out of the question. I would luv to stick a new 90 hp motor on it which it is rated for or should I sell the whole thing now and look for something different...I will say this boat is big enough for my family and it is rock solid on the water...I even get lots of compliments on the looks...So the question stands sell boat or buy a new motor????

[BoxMN]

That motor is as rock solid as they come. It is thirsty, and can smoke a bit, but it will run forever. If you are seeing that it isn't trolling properly, I suggest you have a mechanic clean the carbs. Or you could do it yourself, it isnt that tough.

Because that is about the smoothest trolling motor, and it will troll down to a sloooooooooooowwwwww walleye troll no problem. We have a '82 Merc 50, which is the same motor exactly.

I can see if you want more HP, and I can see why. But don't worry about that motor, sounds like it just needs a little service to get to "like new" performance again.

I am a black motor fan, but the e-tec 90hp would be a dandy replacement if you go that route.

Good luck.

[boatfixer]

I agree with Box, in the right hands, these can run like a sewing machine.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Sorry guys, but I hated my '85 50 Merc because of the limited turning radius. I was warned about that before I bought it (new) but it matched the boat so nicely

Lots of power, smooth, slow troller, but turned like a battleship.

[raymondk]

i have the same motor it trolls down just as slow as a four stroke it will put along all day . One thing that i did do this year is that i switched to amsoil synthedic oil also i mix my oil and gas i took off the injector system. very little smoke i can troll for an hour with very little build up . the only problem i have with the motor is that it likes gas.i can backtroll all day

[Mike89]

I have the same boat and motor! My motor is still strong and I can slow it down to almost nothing. Fishing is awsome with it, speed is not an issue for me. I get thete and have fun.

Mike89

[Whoaru99]

The newer 90hp Mercs probably are different, but I have a 96 model and have never been really happy with the way it runs at low speed (< ~2000 RPM). It's rough, in my opinion, and doesn't troll down very well unless you consider speed trolling for Northerns adequate.

I've had it to a couple different Merc authorized/certified places and they both said it's running fine.

OTOH, above this speed it runs fine, no complaints at all, and pushes my 16' Sylvan Pro Select to 40mph GPS, sometimes a bit more or less, depending on water, wind, and load.

Also, have you looked at the prices of new motors? Yikes!!

[Black_Bay]

A new 90 hp is going to run at least $7000 plus installation. Your current boat is 20 years old and even though it's in good shape, that's a lot of money to spend on a motor. Personally I'd trade the boat and look at something new that could last you another 20 years.

[Vikingbass]

Thanks for the input guys...I'm still up in the air...old boat new motor 7K... OR newer boat with older motor along with it...They say these LUND hulls will stand the test of time so there is a pretty good chance I may test that theory out with a soft on gas new motor...Looking at E/tech 90, or Honda 90...Lots of research to do....Thanks again...

[BoxMN]

Hey Viking, while you are considering, make sure to thoroughtly check the floor before adding a new motor. At that age, it might be starting to get spongy. I have rehabbed boat and pontoon floors, and it really isn't so bad, but you will want to do it right.

That hull will last forever, and it is a good boat that doesn't "look old". Even if you would have to put new floor in (about $600 or so total, and I recommend vinyl flooring instead of carpet) I would recommend looking at some new seats, new motor, new floor and if you want HP a new motor. It will cost a bunch, and maybe not give you the resale if you sold it, but you would have a great and "truly new" boat for under $10k easy.

good luck, let us know what you end up doing!

[JohnMickish]

I went thru the same issue with my '88 Renegade, only mine had a weak 90hp Merc on it. Every dealer I talked to said they would do it but none of them recomended it stating that the value of an old boat/new motor isn't there.

I sold my boat on hsolist for $3200 and picked up a like new 10 year old Pro-V for $10K, about the same to boot as a new motor but I got a whole lot newer and nicer boat that is worth alot more than my old boat/new motor combo would have been. Something to think about.

[JimBuck]

I've got an 88' Mariner 45hp that runs like a dream.....I can understand speed being an issue but for trolling and general reliability that's a great motor. I suggest what other have said already and clean the carb. or rebuild it. Good luck.