115 johnson two stroke 2005 South Africa

[freedom kat]

need advice on how good are 115 johnson two stroke 2005 outboard engines are (South Africa) on a boat i am planning to buy

[Pete7]

In their day they were quite good. However, its now an old engine and Johnson or Evinrude don't exist anymore. Be interesting to see what happens about spares, not just the normal stuff, but if you wanted something more unusual.

A modern 4 stroke will burn far less petrol and have fewer emissions if that is a concern.

It would have to be really cheap to be worth it.

Pete

[freedom kat]

thank you so so much , no use if i cannot get spares

[Pete7]

If you have a choice, the Yamaha 90/115/130 2 strokes from that era run like sewing machines and by far the best mid sized engines. Larger Merc V6s also reliable but thirsty.

Pete

[Calif.Ted]

I had a 1994 on a 16' FG bowrider (Wellcraft Excel 16DX) until I sold it last December. These engines were renown for being able to idle while trolling for long periods without fouling or bogging, or drive a boat on plane all day. They are "de-tuned" 140HP's if I remember right, so overly sturdy in 114 mode. They were susceptible to fouling with the wrong sparkplugs, Champions were preferred but the RIGHT NGK's were also good.
Only parts I needed last few years were impellor and some electric relays which were readily available.

[freedom kat]

thank you so much, i think i must move on and keep looking, appreciated, been down that road before on an old tohatsu that i could not get spares on in this country, not worth the hassle

[Nicholson58]

Motors like that are collectors items in the US for authentic hardware on antique boats. Parts are readily found here. If you know where to hunt, easy to keep your big Johnson up. Van’s in Grand Rapids, Michigan dismantles and inventories used and NOS stock. I restored a 7.5 hp Kiekhofer Mercury using original NOS parts. Van’s has often around 100 small and big Johnsons, Evenrude, Mercury, and even Crosby or Criss Craft outboards.

[freedom kat]

interesting, thank you, i live in south africa, imports are caught at customs and they charge us badly

[Madehn]

i had a johnson 115 hp two stroke on my ski boat that we used for two hours every day and 8 hours a day on weekends for at least 6 years- 7 or 8 months of the year each year-- never had an issue with it in all that time (freshwater)-- i think i put in a pump impeller once and i changed the sparkplugs yearly ( i used champion)- also changed out the gear lube every year and put a couple of different props on in that time- once to get more torque out of the hole to pull up three slalom skiers on a regular basis and then later to switch to SS prop. This boat was pulling skiers and was often run wide open under a load. never a single problem- it was absolutely bulletproof! i was always careful and made sure i used quality two stroke oil mixed properly. I just cant remember if it had an oil tank or was mixed in the main tank- it was years ago. it was very solid and never gave a problem.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Madehn

i had a johnson 115 hp two stroke on my ski boat that we used for two hours every day and 8 hours a day on weekends for at least 6 years- 7 or 8 months of the year each year-- never had an issue with it in all that time (freshwater)-- i think i put in a pump impeller once and i changed the sparkplugs yearly ( i used champion)- also changed out the gear lube every year and put a couple of different props on in that time- once to get more torque out of the hole to pull up three slalom skiers on a regular basis and then later to switch to SS prop. This boat was pulling skiers and was often run wide open under a load. never a single problem- it was absolutely bulletproof! i was always careful and made sure i used quality two stroke oil mixed properly. I just cant remember if it had an oil tank or was mixed in the main tank- it was years ago. it was very solid and never gave a problem.

There is nothing like a big Johnson