I would think a newer 50hp in good condition should be better than an old 80
with potentially lower compression, etc...

The real thing is , how much does one put into an old motor, when a
newer-used motor is an option? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the
parts on the old 1972 motors fairly expensive these day?

I've seen some used motors ranging from 50-90hp of I think the 80's vintage
for anywhere between 500-1800 cdn...

When do you stop spending money on an old motor?


"Garth Almgren" wrote in message
...
Around 4/14/2005 3:05 PM, Chris wrote:

This old 80hp has powered a 15.5 ft fiberglass boat. But could a newer
motor of a smaller HP do an equal or pretty good job? Perhaps a 40hp of
a newer vintage?

Though a 40 would probably work on a 15.5' depending on weight, you should
probably stick with at _least_ a 50. I'd personally prefer a 70 or higher,
but that's just me (see disclaimer below).

As an aside, what's the boat's max HP rating? A good rule of thumb is to
get as close to that rating as you can afford.

My 14' used to have a 50 Merc, and frankly, though I _love_ my current 40
Nissan, I do occasionally miss those few extra HP.





Disclaimer: My family has a long history of overpowering small boats. I
grew up bombing around in my great uncle's barebones 14.5' Livingston
powered by that same 50 Merc... Let's just say that I know what a skipping
rock feels like.

--
~/Garth - 1966 Glastron V-142 Skiflite: "Blue-Boat"
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing about in boats."
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows