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Hi All! I'm considering the purchase of an early Montauk 170. Going through the threads, I see that there are a few owners starting to repower their 2003-2005 boats.. Any idea how many hours should one expect from the original 90hp.Mercury Motors- both 2 and 4 stroke??? I've heard some of these engines were problematic- any input there?

When one considers the cost of a repower plus the asking prices I've been seeing, a strong argument could be made to purchase new...

In my price range.. Let's say $11k to $13k, maybe I should be looking for an older boat that has already been repowered?

Any Thoughts?

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If you can find an early 170 in your price range, even if you repower you will be well ahead of purchasing new (cost-wise). A 90 HP Fourstroke Merc repower should be in the neighborhood of $8.5-9K installed. A new Montauk 170 (with the same engine) will run you in the low-mid $30K range depending in how the boat is configured. So your savings will be in the neighborhood of $10K.

There would be some differences between a new Montauk 170 and an early 170. Aside from condition, the most notable difference is that the new 170 will have a taller center console (about 3-4"), which some folks find more comfortable. You can also order some nice options on a new boat, like the split bow rail. And the new boat comes with a trailer that has a folding tongue.

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I suppose that's true, not to mention, who knows... I may get several years out of the existing engine-assuming it surveys out OK.. Any further thoughts on the preferred engine.. 2 stroke for simplicity or 4 stroke for fuel economy and quietness.. Were both blocks Yamaha then? I assume in the years I'm looking they were both carberated? In those years was one more reliable then the other?

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Hopefully someone familiar with those specific engines will chime in. Speaking generally, age, wear and tear, operating condition, and care/maintenance are probably more important than the question pf at 2- vs. 4-stroke.

I prefer a 4-stroke but our 2-stroke Yamaha is an impressive engine.

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If the 90 Mercury was well maintained you should be able to get a couple thousand hours out of it. Happy hunting. I am very happy with my 2003 170 Montauk with a 2004 Mercury 90 hp 2 stroke.


(fixed typo in Montauk)

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Any idea why your hull and motor are a year apart?
I'm leaning toward the 2 stroke, and 2000k hours seems typical for most 2 stroke outboards..
Many of these don't have hour gauges and I'm told, that they do not have ECM's either- so I suppose a good engine survey is the trick!

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I'm not sure why the motor is a year newer but it was a one owner boat that was well maintained and the survey went well with good compression on the motor. Good luck in your hunt and be patient and you will find a deal. Stay away from Florida boats as they take a beating in the sun.

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Thanks! It probably will be a Florida Boat, as we live in Fort Lauderdale. At least a 17' boat will fit in a garage! We have lot's of racked stored boats as well. We do have a 12 month season, though- so we rack up lots of hours!!

I'm pretty patient.. The right boat will come along!!!

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While an recreational outboard motor will last far more than 2000 hrs, the average outboard does not stay in service that long.

Re-powers tend to occur due to concerns about reliability, ongoing maintenance issues, performance, noise, smell, fuel price etc.

The "average use" of recreational boater is often cited as 50 engine hours a year.

I think the biggest concern when looking at a used motor is lack of use. That does a lot of damage over its lifetime.

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Agreed! I just was concerned with issues on these particular engines, as I do see many posts concerning the Mercury 90 carberation... Maybe after a few years, owners are frustrated to the point they are dumping them, no matter what the hours! As a previous poster mentioned, one is still money ahead if they buy the boat right, and repower.
I had talked to the service manager at the local BW dealer, and they will not work on engines more than 10 years old!