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My new to me ride

3K views 28 replies 13 participants last post by  mooseman75 
#1 ·
I finally got a boat that will fit my family. It's not the typical boats you find on here for catfishing as we only have a large open lake that have channel cats. Also I have 4 boys that want to be pulled on a tube so I had to make that decision. I found this boat it's a 1989 Maxum br with a 125 hp outboard. It was a single owner boat that was meticulously pampered. She never fished one day out of it in 31 years only skied so I feel ashamed to get it slimy....not! Ok I do I have my dad getting me some out door carpet so I can lay over the top of the original.
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#3 ·
Congrats Justin. May she bring you many happy days on the water.

Since you intend it to be duel purpose. All you need is a few road holders with flat bases. You can quickly remove the holders when its time for water sports.
 
#9 ·
Thanks everyone I'm super stoked to have found such a clean boat. It's flawless. Low I just have to learn how to run a 2 stroke outboard. Ive only owned an I/O and I was just learning that lol. I have an an appointment with dmv Friday then it will be registered and I can take it out. But in my driveway it purrs like a kitten.
 
#10 ·
Not a lot of differences. Like any boat with an impeller cooling system, never even turn the engine over unless the impeller has water going to it.

Learn to mix your 50:1 Gas/oil. First buy a decent oil like Mercury, Johnson or Evenrude. There are other good oils also. Many will say to add 3 ounces of oil per gallon. That will work but I always liked to be a little more precise. A true 50:1 mix is 0.39 gallons of gas to 1 ounce of oil. Or 1.17 gallons per 3 0unces. You can make up a mixture chart or get a good mixture cup with the proper markings.

When you store it, always have the motor lowered. That will let all the water in the motor drain so it will not freeze.

Teach yourself to always check an see that the motor is pumping water (peeing) when you start the motor.

Nice looking boat Justin
 
#12 ·
Tom
Do you mix it before you put it in the boat or can I pump it in at gas station and then add oil per chart I would make per gallon that I added. Hope that made sense it's late lol. The chart sounds like a great idea. And I was told that if you have to much oil it will smoke for a minute but that is better than not enough oil i don't know if that is true. But you don't want to over do it either. I think your precise method is what I'll use thank you.
 
#13 ·
Justin,
By using the ratio recomended for my motor. It worked out to. 1 pint (16 oz.) for 6 gallons of gas. This worked out great for me. Even though i bought oil in the gallon jugs. I had a couple of see thru 16 oz. bottles. They had the oz. marked. Id keep the pint bottles filled. When prepping to go to the lake. I would just pour 1 or 2 of them in. Then id either go get gas in cans or pull the boat to the station.

Youll just have to see how much gas you use on a normal trip.
 
#14 ·
Justin your engine should have the pump on it that auto mixes. You will need to find that out before you you take it out. I would imagine it does unless the previous owner removed it due to problems. There should be an oil reservoirs in a compartment in the rear. If you find out it must be mixed a marked cup is really simple to use and available at Wal-Mart for just a couple of bucks. It has the ratios listed with markings for oil to gas amounts. Oil can be mixed before or after filling with gas. I like to add oil before I fill so the turbulence will mix it it. This works well if you know how much gas you are going to pump. If you don't know just add the oil for the amount of gas you know you will pump. If you are short on oil top it off with the needed amount. Also it always good keep an extra quart or two (gallon if you have room) of oil in the boat for when you don't think about the oil on the way to the station or if the reservoir runs out on the water.
 
#18 ·
Thanks. I almost bought a deck boat that seated 14 people but towards the end of the year the channel gets a little shallow and where it drafts deeper I wouldn't make it out. But it was beautiful as well. This one I just lucked into. It's in suck nice condition everyone that has seen it in person thinks I'm very fortunate. But I thank you for your kind words.
 
#17 ·
Several comments there Justin and they are all good.

I add oil first and then pump gas to mix. BUT, I only have a 12 gallon portable tank. so I can see what I will need. I also seldom fill it more than half full.

Mixing before or after will work. Trailering the boat to the lake should mix it. You will need to see if you have an oil tank that automatically mixes for you.

Keep in mind that because the engine oil is mixed with the gas, and thus will be burned during combustion, you will get a little smoke. That is totally normal.
 
#20 ·
Looks good Justin. If your out getting gas and can't find your cheat sheet just remember the typical amount would be 3 ounces per gallon. It is a little extra oil so is on the safe side and is not worth torturing brain cells over.

When your out with that beautiful boat, take a look at the water stream it is spitting out. It is always good to have a general idea on what to expect.
 
#22 ·
I don't think we know yet Steve. If the motor has a good working oil injector system, it will be a mute point. If it has a non working system, it would be a pain. But if he needs to mix it himself, he will have a good handle on it.
 
#23 ·
I have not found anything that remotely looks like an oil reservoir. The only thing there is around the engine is a canister about the size of a car oil filter that is sealed pretty well and I think it's for the hydraulics to lift and lower the motor. So I'm going to say I add it directly to fuel. I have a guy coming too look at it that will hopefully shed further light.
 
#24 ·
Justin,
In 1989 Force was "owned" by Mercury and there were many (supposedly over 50!) different versions of your 125hp motor assembled that year as Mercury used up a huge inventory of parts from Chrysler/Force/Mercury that were, in general, compatible.
Because of this you should use your engine number to figure out exactly which model you have and always have the number at hand when buying parts as some of the parts were not compatible and so just ordering something for a 1989 125hp motor may result in getting an incorrect part. Any repair shop worth their salt will know all this and ask you for the number.
If you plan to do any of your own maintenance, even the small stuff, I highly recommend you get a good shop/repair manual (different to the owners manual). Those motors are pretty simple and if looked after should do well for you.

Good luck at the BMV!!!

...W
 
#25 ·
Thanks Winston for the info. I did a little search this morning when I couldn't sleep and found out a little bit but didn't put it all together like you just posted. It sounds to me from what what people say is that it's a reliable engine if taken care so I guess I'll learn to baby it. The previous owners did.
 
#26 · (Edited)
Justin,
I don't know if you are aware of the bad rap Force outboards have got over the years to the point that a pretty cruel acronym: F.O.R.C.E. (F..... Old, Repainted, Chrysler, Engine) was coined by some harsh critics back in the day.
Truth is they were a basic, fairly cheap motor and as is human nature, those who want cheap usually don't want to pay for good maintenance or don't even realize it is needed and that in turn leads to poor reliability and reputation. That fact combined with their dislike of the (then) new fuel blends resulted in engine failures and more bad rap.
I don't know much about them but I have known a couple of old guys who've had them, taken care of them and got good service from them. Truth is, most... not all... but most problems with outboard motors are the result of them not getting the maintenance they should. You take care of it and it will take care of you.

...W
 
#27 ·
Justin, it will not take long before you give it WOT just to get it over with. There is nothing at all wrong with that. Since it may have set motionless for a time I would go easy on it for a few miles. Let it get good and warmed up first. Don't run it wide open for very long and then easy back and try to find that comfortable speed where it is on plane and sounding good. That is how most boats should be ran. Because of a small wake, all the bank fisherman will be grumbling a little as they think about being behind that wheel heading to big catfish waters.

Now all that is really just jabber. It is your boat and you are the Captain. Drawing from your past posts on here, you will do just fine, Captain. Watch out for icebergs.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Yes, it is pretty, nice, and pretty nice! Congrats...

Scotty rod holders have served me well for several years. Adjustable, removable, flush mount, can mount three on one mount, extenders, other accessories. Look decent (black), can mount without reaching under it to put a nut on. Cabela's has an almost identical with their name on it and parts can interchange. The mounts will not be obvious when removed and won't affect your skiing or tubing.

I had two Force 50 HP motors, both lasted and ran well with no issues. I usually ran just a little heavy on 50:1 oil using 6 gallons, not the 6.whatever gallons. Break in is with double oil, so it won't hurt. Might foul the plug a little earlier, just buff it off fairly often.

I'd really like to see a picture of it both after you rig it and a year after fishing with it!
 
#29 ·
Thanks Gary for the info, I was looking at Scotty. I fish for channel cats so I don't need the heavy duty holders and thought the Scotty would work great and are versatile. It is about time to put boats up here for winter so I'm not sure if I will do anything to it till spring. Even then probably put only 4-6 holders I'll just have to see. I really need to sell my other boat so I can buy a bow mount trolling motor for it. I have ideas for those few things now I just need momma to throw me more money haha
 
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