Cruisecraft Explorer 500

[Angryant]

Hi guys, this is my first post so please be gentle. I am looking to buy my first boat and have come across a Cruisecraft Explorer 500 with an Evinrude 115 Oceanpro.
Vintage is 1997 for boat and motor. I will be using the boat predominantly in the bay and around the Pin.

I have done a bit of research and I am happy with the reports on the boat but a bit concerned regarding the Evinrude. It has been regularly serviced and I've been assured problem free (an assurance from anyone wanting to sell something is a worry).

Can I please get your thoughts on this set up, particularly the Oceanpro.

Thanks

[Mindi]

Well I think you are correct to approach the motor with great caution. Please dont start another boring Etec barrage here but before the Etec DI technology replaced FICHT in 2003..? the reliabilty of OMC motors was a pretty much undisputed problem.

[Ocean_Spirit]

Mate absolutely nothing wrong with a 1997 Evinrude Ocean-Pro, assuming it is a Carby V4.

As for reliability of OMC engines being questioned - they were the market leader for many, many years. The 60 Degree carby V4 and V6's were absolutely bullet-proof, nice simple, strong performing engines.

There were issues with the Generation I and II Ficht's, some rectified and some ongoing. Won't go into it, and it doesn't apply to you here presumably.

Anyway, there are a heap of these V4 carby engines around, and technology wise, not much changed between the 1997 60 Degree V4's and the later model Johnson V4's built by Bombardier, technology wise. The Bombardier engines were a lot more refined and better built,

[Angryant]

Thanks for the comments so far - I certainly don't want this to turn into a comparison of different motors. I'd simply like comments on the pros and cons of the Evinrude as listed.

[Outsider1]

My father has a 90hp Evinrude Oceanpro on a Seafarer Viking. A bit older vintage than yours from memory but basically the same motor. He has not had an ounce of trouble with it and has had it since new. They are pretty much bullet proof the V4 carby models from what I have seen.

Cheers

Dave

[John Buoy]

Mate absolutely nothing wrong with a 1997 Evinrude Ocean-Pro, assuming it is a Carby V4.

As for reliability of OMC engines being questioned - they were the market leader for many, many years. The 60 Degree carby V4 and V6's were absolutely bullet-proof, nice simple, strong performing engines.

There were issues with the Generation I and II Ficht's, some rectified and some ongoing. Won't go into it, and it doesn't apply to you here presumably.

Anyway, there are a heap of these V4 carby engines around, and technology wise, not much changed between the 1997 60 Degree V4's and the later model Johnson V4's built by Bombardier, technology wise. The Bombardier engines were a lot more refined and better built,

Spot on Andy.. only realistic problem is they Guzzle the fuel!!!

[Angryant]

Sorry, I forgot to mention - the Evinrude has 188 hours on it and I'm not sure about the V4.

Edit: It is definately the V4

Cheers

[liltuffy]

Angry, I have a 1997 90 hp Ocean pro Evinrude with 700 hours on it on the back of my V-Sea.

Aside from a worn main shaft in to the gearbox (which cost about $600 to fix) this motor has never missed a beat and I am very happy.

Don't question the motor, if the price is right for the rig - go for it.

Craig

[Chimo]

Hi Angryant

I have two of them on my Vag and the new 115 Etec is vitually the same wonderful V4 but with fuel injection. I don't find them to be extremely thirsty esp at cruise ie 3500 to 4200 as mine are well proped.

They do burn a bit at slow speed as its hard to adjust carbies to not burn fuel at these revs. They blow a bit of smoke at startup by my mechanic tells me to be happy as they won't wear out because of it. He claims that we can expect 2 to 3000 hrs out of them and I figure I'll be dead by the time we get these hrs up!

Personally I'm finding it difficult to go close to justifying replacing them with new Etecs. Also I have a feeling that the old carby motors are a lot more forgiving when it comes to the crap fuel we are getting these days.

One thing that happened to both of mine within ten hrs of each other was that the spring on one side of the fuel pump diaphram let go which meant the motor would run all day at low revs but try to run faster and the motor would die only to be able to be started and do the whole thing all over again after a few minutes. Cheap and easy to fix once you realize whats happening.

Also we have access to one of the best OMC / BRP Techs here on the GC and if you are anywhere close hes the man to get to check the motor over for you to really clarify its condition etc prior t purchase if you so desire. Well worth the $s for your peace of mind. PM if you want more info.

Cheers
Chimo

[Angryant]

Thanks for the replies - in terms of ball park figures; what sort of fuel consumption would I be looking at with this setup?