[pgarick]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 18' Carolina Skiff at what I consider to be a great price, however, I am a bit concerned about a Force outboard.

I have always been a Yammyha/Johnson owner so Force by Mercury throws the red flags. Owner has receipts for all work performed since he has owned the boat.

Can anyone offer their input on a Force outboard?

 

[h2ohhh]

Their reputation is suspect. I'll leave it at that.

 

[SnowCamp]

Search for thehulltruth force forum. There's a lot of info there and a lot of positive reviews. Which motor (age and HP) is significant. They're considered to be "simple" motors and relatively easy to work on...

 

[pgarick]

I hear ya John. I tried doing a bit of research on Force and it's a mixed bag of reviews. Suppose I'll continue my quest to find a little bit larger boat

 

[cnoffsin]

If its one of the later ones that mercury actually made then it might not be that bad. But, I had one that ran fine a season then blew a cylinder and pretty much everybody hates them.

Here is the most epic force thread:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/010046.html

 

[cnoffsin]

And my thread on this site on my force motor that there was a lot of testimonials:

http://www.ncangler.com/forums/threads/53274-Boat-Motor-Sound-Deadening-Project

 

[sundrop]

Force got a bad image more because they were sold on junk boats (Bayliners) at low prices which attracted more people who knew nothing about maintenance. Chrysler engines with Mercury electronics basically. Force engines are "no frills" motors which make them easy to work on but they have no resale value really because of their reputation. They are not bad engines with one exception. The 5 cyl 150hp JUNK!. I say take advantage of the bad image to nail a low price on the rig and run the snot out of it. Just know that you will need to buy your parts on the internet and do the work yourself because any shop you go to is going to try to sell you a motor and talk smack about your Force. I have been inside many of them and they are good older designs. The electronics are sensitive but that's the same for all older Mercurys anyway as well. I will guess you are looking at a 120hp?

 

[h2ohhh]

Sundrop is the resident expert on boat engines. There you have it!