I need to replace my old Mercury 7.5 motor.... any suggestions on where I go to get a good reliable replacement.... not afraid to buy new but would like to keep the cost under $1,500. Also what about electric start... do I need anyspeciall additions on my boat to accomidate an electric start. Will my marine battery do the job and will the motor recharge the battery? Thanks!
Outboard motors for O'day 25
- Thread starter Misty Gayle
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Things to consider
You will be fortunate to find a new 8 hp long shaft electric start outboard for under $1500. I paid a bit more than that over two years ago for one. I bought it from Sailnet over the internet, but if you have been following their problems (check out the archives of this site for some dire warnings), you won't buy from them now. There are other websites that sell outboards; check them out. Electric start is great; the Admiral insisted on it. A standard marine battery will provide more than enough cranking amps to start a small outboard. Check with the manufacturer of your engine for charging abilities; there was also a recent posting on this site about outboard battery charging capabilities. You will need a hole in the transom to accomodate the electric cables that run from the engine to the battery, but other than that, no special accomodations are necessary. Make sure that the cable length will reach your battery; you may need to buy additional cables as an "extension cord." I had to do this; its not a big job, but if you know before hand that you need them, you can order the cables, connectors, etc. at the same time as the engine and you won't have to wait to use the electric start like I did. Buying a used outboard? Caveat emptor. Other considerations: 2 stroke v. 4 stroke: 2 is cheaper to buy and service and is lighter, but the 4 is quieter, more fuel efficient and probably more dependable. Also, the 4 doesn't pollute nearly as much. I bought a two stroke, and sometimes wish I had sprung for the four. If you do go with the four, make sure your outboard mounting bracket is specifically rated to handle a four stroke engine. Fours generate significantly more torque than two strokes and need a bracket that can handle it. It's not just the maximum engine weight that is important in determining the proper bracket!
You will be fortunate to find a new 8 hp long shaft electric start outboard for under $1500. I paid a bit more than that over two years ago for one. I bought it from Sailnet over the internet, but if you have been following their problems (check out the archives of this site for some dire warnings), you won't buy from them now. There are other websites that sell outboards; check them out. Electric start is great; the Admiral insisted on it. A standard marine battery will provide more than enough cranking amps to start a small outboard. Check with the manufacturer of your engine for charging abilities; there was also a recent posting on this site about outboard battery charging capabilities. You will need a hole in the transom to accomodate the electric cables that run from the engine to the battery, but other than that, no special accomodations are necessary. Make sure that the cable length will reach your battery; you may need to buy additional cables as an "extension cord." I had to do this; its not a big job, but if you know before hand that you need them, you can order the cables, connectors, etc. at the same time as the engine and you won't have to wait to use the electric start like I did. Buying a used outboard? Caveat emptor. Other considerations: 2 stroke v. 4 stroke: 2 is cheaper to buy and service and is lighter, but the 4 is quieter, more fuel efficient and probably more dependable. Also, the 4 doesn't pollute nearly as much. I bought a two stroke, and sometimes wish I had sprung for the four. If you do go with the four, make sure your outboard mounting bracket is specifically rated to handle a four stroke engine. Fours generate significantly more torque than two strokes and need a bracket that can handle it. It's not just the maximum engine weight that is important in determining the proper bracket!
Just replaced my Merc. 7.5
My Mercury 7.5 long shaft motor started giving me problems, and so I finally had to bite the bullet and get another motor. I ordered a 6 hp 4-stroke Tohatsu on a Thursday, and it arrived the following Monday. So far it works great. I'm still in the break-in phase. It pushes my O'Day 222 just fine and it actually weighs less than the Merc did. Note that Nissan makes the Tohatsu, and I think they also make some Mercury's. In any case, the motor was not very expensive (by new motor standards), and the company delivered it quickly. You may want to check them out. Good luck. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
My Mercury 7.5 long shaft motor started giving me problems, and so I finally had to bite the bullet and get another motor. I ordered a 6 hp 4-stroke Tohatsu on a Thursday, and it arrived the following Monday. So far it works great. I'm still in the break-in phase. It pushes my O'Day 222 just fine and it actually weighs less than the Merc did. Note that Nissan makes the Tohatsu, and I think they also make some Mercury's. In any case, the motor was not very expensive (by new motor standards), and the company delivered it quickly. You may want to check them out. Good luck. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Try EBAY listings
I thought I was recently in the market for a new outboard for my Oday 25, but the old Mariner 8 somehow pulled through and still lives. I found several Ebay store offerings by doing a search for a particular model. The best buy seemed to be a new Nissan 4-stroke, 8 horse for about $1,500 or so, and they claim at about 82 pounds it is the lightest four-stroke of that size. You can also price them at the Cabelas site. Nissan also offers a 10 horse at the same weight, and about $200 more. Remember too, that the electric start will add both weight and cost. Good luck.
I thought I was recently in the market for a new outboard for my Oday 25, but the old Mariner 8 somehow pulled through and still lives. I found several Ebay store offerings by doing a search for a particular model. The best buy seemed to be a new Nissan 4-stroke, 8 horse for about $1,500 or so, and they claim at about 82 pounds it is the lightest four-stroke of that size. You can also price them at the Cabelas site. Nissan also offers a 10 horse at the same weight, and about $200 more. Remember too, that the electric start will add both weight and cost. Good luck.
What to buy?
Before you get a new motor, remember this. Your old motor mount was designed for a 2 stroke engine - a lot less torque and a lot less weight. Any 4 stroke engine will overload your 2 stroke engine mount! You need to look at motor that has a single tiller for both the throttle and shift. If you have to reach back to go from forward to reverse, it may not be a good thing. You may then opt for a remote control mounted in the cockpit. You do not need to put a hole in your boat to run the power cord to the battery. You can run it over the back if you put cover of some kind over it. Generally, I'll run it through a fairlead. That gives it enough protection. You can get a small water-proof box about 3" x 2" from Home Depot or and electric supply house. Mount it to the side of the cockpit close to the stern. Get two brass bolts about 1-1/2" long x 1/4" or 5/16" in diameter. Drill two holes about 1 to 1-1/2" appart through the box and the side of the cockpit. The hole should be the same size as the bolts, not bigger. But some caulk in the holes. Attach a #6 cable to each of the two bolts and bolt them through the cockpit wall into the box with the threaded end in the box. Attach the other end of the cables to the battery. Make sure that you mark which is the Red (Positive) and the Black (Negative) terminals in your little box. Now you can attach the motor electrical cable to the "terminals" in your box with some stainless wing nuts! It is very simple. Good Luck! Paul
Before you get a new motor, remember this. Your old motor mount was designed for a 2 stroke engine - a lot less torque and a lot less weight. Any 4 stroke engine will overload your 2 stroke engine mount! You need to look at motor that has a single tiller for both the throttle and shift. If you have to reach back to go from forward to reverse, it may not be a good thing. You may then opt for a remote control mounted in the cockpit. You do not need to put a hole in your boat to run the power cord to the battery. You can run it over the back if you put cover of some kind over it. Generally, I'll run it through a fairlead. That gives it enough protection. You can get a small water-proof box about 3" x 2" from Home Depot or and electric supply house. Mount it to the side of the cockpit close to the stern. Get two brass bolts about 1-1/2" long x 1/4" or 5/16" in diameter. Drill two holes about 1 to 1-1/2" appart through the box and the side of the cockpit. The hole should be the same size as the bolts, not bigger. But some caulk in the holes. Attach a #6 cable to each of the two bolts and bolt them through the cockpit wall into the box with the threaded end in the box. Attach the other end of the cables to the battery. Make sure that you mark which is the Red (Positive) and the Black (Negative) terminals in your little box. Now you can attach the motor electrical cable to the "terminals" in your box with some stainless wing nuts! It is very simple. Good Luck! Paul
Tohatsu
Until last year, I used a Yamaha 6hp 2 stroke on my O'Day 26. When that motor gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke, which cost me about $1300 brand new. It's quieter, weighs less and is more fuel efficient. I used the same outboard bracket, since the 4 Tohatsu weighed less than the Yamaha. I sail my boat in the San Diego area, and even on the windiest days, the 6hp Tohatsu provides more than enough power.
Until last year, I used a Yamaha 6hp 2 stroke on my O'Day 26. When that motor gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke, which cost me about $1300 brand new. It's quieter, weighs less and is more fuel efficient. I used the same outboard bracket, since the 4 Tohatsu weighed less than the Yamaha. I sail my boat in the San Diego area, and even on the windiest days, the 6hp Tohatsu provides more than enough power.
How much power?
I just replace the aging Johnson 9.9 on my 25. My local mercury dealer tried to convince me that a 6hp four stroke would be adequate, but my friend and my boat's former owner thought it would be a bad idea to go down in size. I also had an extra-long shaft, 25". There are only a few manufacturers of these today. I tried to get the Tohatsu, but it was backordered everywhere. I wound up buying a Yamaha 9.9 High Thrust. I had to replace the bracket also, not because the new engine was too heavy, but because four-strokes supposedly make a alot more torque. Overall it was a pain in the ass, but so worth it. I lowered the bracket five inches on the transom because the new bracket did not have the same travel as the old one, but that too made a huge difference. Now I can go up forward without the prop coming out of the water. The 9.9 pushes to hull speed at quarter throttle, at which speed it barely makes a hum, but it's comforting to know that I have enough power to get through a rip or a heavy wind. Oh, and the Yamaha has the shift on the tiller, Tohatsu has it on the side of the cowling.
I just replace the aging Johnson 9.9 on my 25. My local mercury dealer tried to convince me that a 6hp four stroke would be adequate, but my friend and my boat's former owner thought it would be a bad idea to go down in size. I also had an extra-long shaft, 25". There are only a few manufacturers of these today. I tried to get the Tohatsu, but it was backordered everywhere. I wound up buying a Yamaha 9.9 High Thrust. I had to replace the bracket also, not because the new engine was too heavy, but because four-strokes supposedly make a alot more torque. Overall it was a pain in the ass, but so worth it. I lowered the bracket five inches on the transom because the new bracket did not have the same travel as the old one, but that too made a huge difference. Now I can go up forward without the prop coming out of the water. The 9.9 pushes to hull speed at quarter throttle, at which speed it barely makes a hum, but it's comforting to know that I have enough power to get through a rip or a heavy wind. Oh, and the Yamaha has the shift on the tiller, Tohatsu has it on the side of the cowling.
4 cycle more dependable?
There's nothing I've heard to say a 4 cycle will be more dependable. 2 stroke engines are much simpler than a 4 stroke & that's why they have endured on the water so long. That's why they are generally lighter. No valves, cam shafts, springs, etc. to add weight or break. I can't argue w/ the better fuel economy usually. Except for range, that isn't usually a concern in a sailboat. Same problems w/ fuel gumming carbs if not maintained. Add oil changes to your routine & now I think fogging the engine at layup is more important to prevent corrosion. Only time will tell, but environmental regs. will have the last say on which motors we can use.
There's nothing I've heard to say a 4 cycle will be more dependable. 2 stroke engines are much simpler than a 4 stroke & that's why they have endured on the water so long. That's why they are generally lighter. No valves, cam shafts, springs, etc. to add weight or break. I can't argue w/ the better fuel economy usually. Except for range, that isn't usually a concern in a sailboat. Same problems w/ fuel gumming carbs if not maintained. Add oil changes to your routine & now I think fogging the engine at layup is more important to prevent corrosion. Only time will tell, but environmental regs. will have the last say on which motors we can use.
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