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20 hp mariner help

M

MO14

New member
I'm considering buying a boat that has a 20hp Mariner (1985) he says it runs good but at high speed the motor kicks out of gear and he has to decrease the RPM and re-engauge the gear and continue. does this seem like a major repair? or just a linkage adjustment or something?
 
If gear oil is nice and clean then it may just need the prop checked / repaired.------------------The rubber drive hub may be slipping.------------Try marking outer part and hub and see if marks move.
 
IF...

if it's really a 1985 model Mariner, it will be the Yamaha built version

if there is a gearcase problem they can be quite the task to repair (unlike the Merc's of that era these require many shims and special tools to set things up properly - definately not a "driveway job" and given the age of the motor you (may) have issues finding a shop to work on it - parts are also getting scarce)

So, before proceeding here I would check the serial of the motor. If it starts 6A9-xxxxxx or you see the "made in Japan" sticker (ya, it's really there on the port side of the powerhead (most times)) then I (personally) would attach very little value to the motor when trying to figure a fair price (like maybe 200 bucks if you actually see it running).

Otherwise, if you like the boat, buy it with the thought forefront in your mind "I will have to replace the motor".

The Yami/Mariners were well built, but they discontinued a long time ago and they were carbon copies of Yamaha's own models which predated the Mariners, sometimes by a few years but sometimes "many".

This particular model was based on Yamaha's own model "20C" which was produced in 1980 - so "parts wise" (if this is the Yami version), this motor is 32 years old...
 
Great info thanks, here is a picture of it, if it helps at all.
5E55Fe5Jc3K43Fb3oec9q7c9cc2ac169511d8.jpg
 
That definately looks like a Merc/Mariner (so just a grey Merc with different decals) - and absolutely looks newer than 1985 (the "hood" is more modern - like late 80's at least - maybe early 90's).

If you can get a serial post it up and we'll see exactly what model year you have.

So based on what I see, that's actually a "great" motor and even if there is an issue with the lower unit (more than the prop), provided it's otherwise running fine, it is more than worthwhile repairing.

It's basically a de-tuned 25 horse Merc - outstanding motor - I would buy it for myself in a heartbeat if I found one...
 
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