Evinrude 115 Intruder 1997

[Short timer]

I have been reading this forum for the last 3 months with fascination!  You folks have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience.  I sure would like to tap into that knowledge with a question.  What do I need to be concerned with with the above mentioned outboard?  The person I bought it from has had it since new, claims only 22 hours on the whole rig, which I believe, there is not even a scratch on the skeg, lower unit, basically the whole boat.  It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.  I was stored in a climate controlled garage, and everything has been updated, like the impeller and even the trailer tires.  I am getting ready to go on my maiden voyage and sure would like some insight.  Oh, by the way the motor is attached to a Ranger R72. Way2slow, you seem to have unlimited knowledge on OMC motors, I would sure appreciate your thoughts on this.  Thanks in advance to all you fine folks!

[Way2slow]

Welcome to the site, and you are right, there is a lot of knowledge base that hangs out here.  Yes, I do know at least a nickels worth about the OMC's

You got lucky the boat/motor was not one year newer.  If it was a 98 115 Ficht I would have to say good luck!.

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Any and all outboards can have problems but as for an OMC 115, you probably got about the best one built.  

I am a firm believer in that it does more damage to a boat, motor or automobile to sit for long periods of time than it does to operate them. 

You said the water pump was replaced, how recent, if not within the past couple of years, it needs to be replaced.  Not being run to keep them flexible and they develop a set in the blades so they don't flex out into the large cavity. 

All hoses need to be check to ensure they are still flexible an don't show signs of hardening and dry rot cracks.

Overall sounds like you got a nice rig.

[Short timer]

Thank you Keith, I was hoping to hear exactly what you said!  The impeller was replaced about 3 months ago and the carbs cleaned.  The man I bought it from, bought it for his wife who contracted cancer and died in 98, he has kept it in storage, climate controlled for all these years.  He kept up with maintenance, new tires on the trailer, licensing etc, but never used it.  It has a stainless prop on it that has no blemishes what so ever on it. I have not even started it yet, but am going to in the next week or so.  What kind of top speed is realistic for this set up?  I am not so concerned with speed but reliability.  I have about two years of boating left in me, I have stage four cancer, and am hoping to have a stressful free experience out of it.  Thank you so much for your wisdom!

[Way2slow]

Look at your prop and see what pitch it is.  Should be around the inner hub if the nut and washer don't cover it up.  If it's a 19, and the motor will spin it to near max recommended rpm, probably in the low 40's.  If it's a 21 and the motor will spin it close to max, then upper 40's might bump into 50 a little. I doubt it's a 23, but by change it is, then you might get into mid 50's.

A lot depends on the setup, but a 115 on that size boat sounds a little small.  I'm a firm advocate of having as much hp as the hull is rated for.  That hull may only be rated for a 115 but I would think it would be closer to 130.

 

Now, understand, don't think you can just throw a bigger prop on and it will go faster.  It will come closer to going slower than faster.  The only time you should consider a higher pitch prop is when you are at least 200-300 rpm over max recommended.  Then a bigger prop might give a little more speed, but the whole shot will suffer.  Whole shot might be a bit of and issue with two people, full live well, gas and gear.

[Short timer]

Thanks again for your insight.  I would look at the size of the prop if I could figure out what kind of prop lock it has.  In the owners manual the previous owner has hand written "prop lock- Western Wind #840205579107902".  I have been unable to find any info on it.  It is a brass colored cone over the nut and washer with a slot in it.  I don't have a clue how to take that off, may have to take it to a shop.  If I can figure out how to post a pic of it I will.