Buying a boat with an discontinued motor brand?

[tcbass]

Looking at a 2006 Ranger that is clean but has a 2006 Johnson 115 horse on it. Johnson outboards went out of business awhile ago. 

 

 

Would it be a bad idea to buy this boat because of the motor not having parts in stock to repair if anything goes wrong? Or people working on discontinued motor brands?

 

And even buying common things ie.......like props for it? (Although I'm sure the prop is a pretty standard one). 

[riverbasser]

Never owned an outboard newer than 91 and have never had an issue with parts. There is a big market for aftermarket older boat parts. Plenty of people in my area still running 70's model engines.

[Way2slow]

I would not let the discontinued brand be a deal killer.  That can even work in your favor as a price negotiating tool.   I think between BRP and Suzuki, (since I think it's just a rebranded Suzuki 115) parts and service will be around for a long time.  However, there is always the possibility some parts may get scarce, like with anything that's specific to one on two models that are no longer in production.   That can happen on anything though, discontinued or not.

I'm not into four stroke outboards, so I don't know how well they are going to be supported.  I know most of the two stroke motors have been supported extremely well for many years.

[fishnkamp]

That Johnson was a reliable motor, but the only parts available are "new" old stock.  Meaning no one, not even BRP and Suzuki make parts for those engines.  There are tons of Johnson and Evinrude engines in use still today. The problem is the pipeline for those parts will get smaller and smaller. I would look at another boat or if you really like the boat and it is in great shape understand and accept that you may have to re-power it with a newer engine and it is expensive to do that. For myself I would not do it.  i believe there are plenty of boats with other brand of engines on them. I would go look for one of those. 

[S. Sass]

If the engine is checked out and is in good mechanical condition I wouldn't worry. Johnson engines are reliable and not known for problems. And the market is far from drying up on parts from what I understand. 

Also as stated it's a bargaining chip.

I purchased my boat earlier this year and it has a 2000 yr model 115 Johnson and has ran like a top. Heck I have a 9.5hp Johnson from 1964 that still runs. These engines generally will run a long time properly maintained.

[rboat]

Most Johnson outboards have an identical twin badge under the Evinrude brand. In most cases, Johnson and Evinrude parts are interchangable. Sierra company also makes old parts for these engines. Common parts that you may need should not be a problem for many years to come. Check marine engine.com and you will see what is readily available from one source.

[Kevin22]

Like previously said, most small repairs will be do-able with evinrude parts. Any big malfunction is going to cause you issues, and may be a loss. I'd have your rig insured for NADA value. The motor won't be worth a ton, but if it blows you will be able to get almost any marine shop to declare it totaled and get the cash value out of it. 

Of course if you really like the boat.. you can always sell the johnson and pick up a different motor. Lots of motors hitting the market in the 2005-2008 years right now from people repowering with the new high performance four strokes. You might be able to do a little research and get the seller down low enough to where you can sell your johnson and pick up a used evinrude and still be around the seller's asking price, should be a simple swap with an evinrude. 

[Way2slow]

I guess I missed something in my knowledge base on Johnson and Evinrude,  I was under the assumption all 2006, 115hp Johnsons were four stroke Suziki's, and all 115hp Evinrudes were two stroke engines made by OMC/BRP.  These are two totally different engines, with different manufactures and other than maybe a few minor parts, almost nothing is going to interchange between the two,

Now before 2,000, yes many of their parts were the same, and if it's not a DFI Evinrude, almost all the parts are interchangeable.

Sure would be nice if folks checked their facts and posted those and not just what they "THINK" they know.   

[tiredbobmarley]

I have a Johnson 25 from 1978.  There are very few parts that you cant buy from old "new" stock and I can bet if you cant find them "new" you could grab them from a salvaged motor.  I wouldn't worry about it at all. 

[WIGuide]

On 7/8/2016 at 7:49 AM, Way2slow said:

Sure would be nice if folks checked their facts and posted those and not just what they "THINK" they know.   

^Amen!

Parts will eventually become scarce for the engine in question just like they do for everything. That day is not anytime soon. The only discontinued motor brand I wouldn't be interested in is a Force. 

[Locknload59]

You should be fine.  I would say you have many years before part availability would be an issue.

[Way2slow]

Going by his other post, looks like he is getting a 2014 Stratos with a 115 e-Tec.

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, Way2slow said:

Going by his other post, looks like he is getting a 2014 Stratos with a 115 e-Tec.

 

Yep. This is an older thread.