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motor quandary #13861028 01/25/21 10:53 PM
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Liebers Dad Offline OP
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Well, the old gal may just be on her last legs. My '93 Merc XR6 150 has developed a power issue and while I haven't gotten her into the shop yet I fear the worst...the inescapable truth for old engines - compression loss.

The hull and interior of the boat are fine with newish carpet, no leaks, etc. plus i REALLY like it for the money I spent on it. It's a bit small (18.5'), no fancy schmancy live scope, no power poles....you know, an old fisherman's boat. It gets me where I need to go and I don't worry about scratches. It has good enough electronics. and best of all ITS PAID FOR!

below is my quandary - Assuming compression is the issue what would YOU do?

I COULD spend $25k for a used boat, but what I've been looking at is WAY overpriced in my opinion

I COULD search for another older boat for about $5k-6k, but I doubt I'd get as lucky as I did with this one 5 years ago (spent $4k on a '93 Skeeter Z150 with the aforementioned XR6 150 that all I had to do was put new electronics on it), but these don't seem to exist anymore.

I COULD buy a brand new $65k boat and even though my wife would allow it she wouldn't be happy about it (given that we literally just spent a TON of money on a condo in Mexico earlier this month)

I COULD rebuild the motor to to tune of about $8k-10k (this is the direction I'm leaning)

I COULD try to find an already rebuilt or used motor for around and have it put on the existing hull for around $10k.


I didn't lose him at the boat. I shook him off cause I didn't want my hands to get "fishy"
Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13861087 01/25/21 11:52 PM
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smooth move Offline
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i would consider a new motor. maybe down size to a 115. better fuel economy ad costs less right out of the box. the older i get, the less horsepower i require. if it gets on plane and gets me back to the ramp---i'm happy.


es le bon ton roulet
Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13861134 01/26/21 12:24 AM
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No way would I spend $8-10k to rebuild a 28 year old XR6. For that amount of money you could find a late model Optimax with warrant or a newer XR6 for much less.

Last edited by tmd11111; 01/26/21 12:25 AM.
Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13861353 01/26/21 02:41 AM
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What tmd11111 said... Dan


"The problem with having a sense of humor is often that people you use it on aren't in a very good mood"...
Lou Holtz
Re: motor quandary [Re: tmd11111] #13861368 01/26/21 02:53 AM
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Liebers Dad Offline OP
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Originally Posted by tmd11111
No way would I spend $8-10k to rebuild a 28 year old XR6. For that amount of money you could find a late model Optimax with warrant or a newer XR6 for much less.


I guess you're right and even though I know the motor's personality, that's would change if it were rebuilt.

why can't I just win the lottery?


I didn't lose him at the boat. I shook him off cause I didn't want my hands to get "fishy"
Re: motor quandary [Re: smooth move] #13861370 01/26/21 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by smooth move
i would consider a new motor. maybe down size to a 115. better fuel economy ad costs less right out of the box. the older i get, the less horsepower i require. if it gets on plane and gets me back to the ramp---i'm happy.


this was a consideration, but I still like to go fast, haha!


I didn't lose him at the boat. I shook him off cause I didn't want my hands to get "fishy"
Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13861540 01/26/21 12:24 PM
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Re-power time

Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13861732 01/26/21 02:57 PM
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Micheal Offline
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Assuming the block is good, rebuilding that motor is in the 4K range.


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Re: motor quandary [Re: Micheal] #13862517 01/26/21 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Micheal
Assuming the block is good, rebuilding that motor is in the 4K range.

what i thought initially, but not in the ATX area...unless someone has a good recommendation for me! šŸ˜‰


I didn't lose him at the boat. I shook him off cause I didn't want my hands to get "fishy"
Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13862584 01/27/21 12:24 AM
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4Weight Offline
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Iā€™d find a used Optimax. There was one in the classifieds in Abilene that was clean for Under 6k. Think it just sold. Believe it was an 07 or 08. If you like your boat I would just repower.


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Re: motor quandary [Re: Liebers Dad] #13863305 01/27/21 04:52 PM
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Agree. Sounds like you have a great boat, just need to repower.


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