I'm looking to buy a used boat. I've found two boats that are practically the same except the engines. One is a '90 18' DC Champion w/ a Yamaha 150 the other is a '91 18' DC Champion w/ a Evinrude XP 175. Everything about the two boats is exactly the same except the engines. My question is which engine is most dependable? I want to know which engine is less likely to give me any problems being that they are so old? Any feedback on either of the engines is appreciated. Thanks!


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Trumphldr

The Evinrude.Plus you'll like having the extra horsepower.

I am not a big fan of the XP motors. I had a 150XP on a 19991 Ranger and it was sluggish and fouled a ring up on one of the cylinders. I sold it after getting it bored and sleeved and bought an Intruder Evinrude which was a great motor. If you get the XP then be sure and keep it decarboned.

On the flip side I fish with a buddy with a 1991 200hp Yammy on a 202 ChampN and its still chuggin along ... never a problem.

Whatever you do just get a good mechanic to go thru them.

One other thing ... OMC is out of business so parts may be an issue down the road on the "Rude. I don't know if Bombardier is supplying parts for the older OMC Evinrudes.

I owned a 1990 ProV150 for 16 years..... all I put in it was gas, Yamaha oil, plugs and impellers...bullet proof motor !!!

hopefully I get that same service out of my new HPDI.

We work on both....I'll go with the XP. Even though I do not like their ignition module on that model, It's still WAY-WAY cheeper than Yammy's. Plus the XP will run circles around the Yam. and burn less fuel, I will say the XP should run at least 10mph faster on a lot less gas. No matter which you chose, both will be fairly good engines........

I had a Ranger 481 with the 1991 Yamaha 150, no problems, friend has it now and it is still running strong. I am no mechanic, and Mike Halfmann probably knows more about them then me. I like the Yamaha. I have a new HPDI also, love it so far.

Parts for the XP are going to be more readily available, even though I like that year for Yamys. Just have it checked out before buying. Good Luck

Thanks Everybody I appreciate all the feedback. It's actually pretting interesting making my decision tough. I know I'd get better boat performance especially in rough water with the Evinrude because of the extra horse power but I have been told by more than one mechanic that the Yamaha is a better engine. Mike is actually the only mechanic that has vouched for the XP engine. Better Gas, faster, and cheaper to fix is tough argument. Damn Mike. Just Kidding. Thanks!

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Trumphldr

Well after running the one with the 150 Yamaha I'm sold on both Champion as a very smooth rough water boat and on the 150 Yamaha being the best engine. The boat is owned by a former guide and is in very good condition other than the oxidation in the finish. Does anyone know the best way to get some of the original shine back?

Everything in the boat works and it has digital gauges which is pretty neat for a '91 boat. I believe it was purchased at Fun and Sun in Hurst. The engine was recently serviced and tuned up, was very clean, super quiet, smooth, and very responsive. I was totally impressed. It's plenty enough power for the boat and for me. I ran it in 25+ mph winds and had no problem getting it up to 60mph which was plenty fast for me, being a soon to be first time boat owner.

Now could someone recommend the best tires for my 2003 Pathfinder. Amistad has some notoriously slick ramps, and I plan on fishing there a bunch. Thanks

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Trumphldr

for tires look at the bridgestone duelers, ht684II or rvt's I run the ht on my o2 ram quad 4x4 and don't slip ever, best rain tire I have ever owned. I also drove semi's for a long time and the bridgestone tires were tied with michelen for best over the road tires on big trucks.

i have been told the exact same thing.

one mechanic I spoke with said the reason for this is that evinrude's engine designs got really messed up in the early '90s on some of their higher horsepower models, while yamaha and mercury stuck with the same reliable motors. he advised me to stay away from anything labeled evinrude/johnson from the years 88 thru 99. he pretty much demanded it.

arggg im running an 89 evinrude 175 xp its running strong so fare but i use sinthetic oil with carbon cleaner.
I'm gonna go buy some sea foam tommorrow!!