I have a chance to buy an "88 Bayliner fishing boat  with an 85 HP Force motor for $200. The issue is instead of the pulling the drain plug for fluid on the lower end, good reason to always show your kid how to do something instead of  telling them how it should be done. His Kid pulled the pivot pin on the lower end. Now the boat will not shift out of forward.  Is this an easy fix. 
The boat also needs the back casting deck replaced. other then the motor issue and the deck this is a really clean boat. I already have a piece of marine plywood big enough to use on repairs for the deck. I'm just worried I buy it and end up having to spend alot on fixing or replacing the motor.

At that price I think this is a smoking deal. Even if you have to put a few hundred into repairs on the lower unit.

I would look into how much it will cost you to get the lower end repaired before you buy it... i bought a boat two yr,s ago and got a really good deal . drove it for two yr.s and this year i had too but almost $5,000.00 in it . good deal out the door replaced out drive also had to get a brand new motor for it. now i have a brand new boat drive tran with a 1984 hull ..be careful most of the time you get what you pay for.....JOHN

I don't see how you could go wrong for $200.    

$200 sounds like a good deal. Before making the purchase, have the motor compression tested. This will tell you if any of the cylinders have a problem that will be expensive to fix. I had a 120 hp Force on my last boat. It was a bit cold-blooded at the start of the day, but ran strongl once it got going. If you make this purchase, get the Seloc manual for the motor. They are only $15-20, and will give you step-by-step directions with pictures for most repairs or maintenance items. The rear deck shouldn't be too hard to replace if you use the old one as a template.

I would stay away from FORCE motors...they aren't good engines...200 is a great deal for a boat and motor...but there are more things you'll have to consider... Test the engine..compression test..you want all cylinders reading the same or very close to it. If the boat is out of the water, run the engine with ear muffs..so you can hear how the engine sounds, starts, if anything is rattling etc, etc...The shifting problem should be an easy fix...should. Make sure all the electrical works...gauges, nav lights, horn, bilge pump...other than that repair in rear deck, any other soft spots?? Does the boat come with a trailer? Is the trailer road worthy? Are you going to use seasonal docking or trailering everytime? As a boat owner, docking fees, maintinence, fuel all add up...and you if you start off in the hole with an engine that needs costly work...it won't be fun.

I wouldn't worry about Force motors if it runs alright. I have 2 friends that have Force motors and they both run just fine. I agree that Force are not the best motors out there (I run Evinrude) , but if it runs alright and you don't intend to be running it every day you should be fine.

No offense bass or bass...But why would you buy a boat and motor if you don't intend on running it everyday or if you have to "baby" the engine? I run a Yamaha...I like to run and gun to different fishinig spots...can't do that with an engine that's not up to par...If the engine has no issues I'd say go for it...but according to the author of this thread, it does...which means "money". Maybe consider upgrading the engine to something newer...sell it during the off season (winter) and upgrade? At the end of the day...your engine is going to get to the fishing grounds and back to the dock

For $200 bucks, I'd take a shot. Pocket change when it comes to boats.

No offense taken, but being a very busy small business owner, I knew when I bought my boat it would be a once a month event at best, and as it turns out I can only afford the time to fish about every 6 to 8 weeks. I make these fishing trips 32 hours on the water to get as much quality time as possible on the water.  My motor runs great and I'm always moving to fresh spots. Fishing the lakes here in the desert means having a boat or catching just bluegill from shore with an occasional target fish. My one buddy with a Force motor has been using it for several years and he's on the water at least twice a week and never had a problem.

Have a mechanic check out the motor before paying for it, that way you'll know in advance if you'll have to replace the motor or be able to have that one repaired.

Yes by all means have it checked by a mechanic prior to paying for it !!!!!!

Posted By Barresi on 19 Oct 2011 08:44 AM
I would stay away from FORCE motors...they aren't good engines...200 is a great deal for a boat and motor...but there are more things you'll have to consider... Test the engine..compression test..you want all cylinders reading the same or very close to it. If the boat is out of the water, run the engine with ear muffs..so you can hear how the engine sounds, starts, if anything is rattling etc, etc...The shifting problem should be an easy fix...should. Make sure all the electrical works...gauges, nav lights, horn, bilge pump...other than that repair in rear deck, any other soft spots?? Does the boat come with a trailer? Is the trailer road worthy? Are you going to use seasonal docking or trailering everytime? As a boat owner, docking fees, maintinence, fuel all add up...and you if you start off in the hole with an engine that needs costly work...it won't be fun.

Great advice when you're buying any boat.  When it's going for $200, you're lucky if any of the above is working properly.  My only advise is make sure you get titles for boat and trailer; and, get ready to either do some work yourself or shell out some $.

I would'nt a boat and motor that old and as Rooger said Force motors are poor motors , a boat this old could be a real money pit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MCOPELAND1

Good luck trying to find and parts for a Force outboard. A Force was always considered to be a throw-a-way motor even when they were still being manufactured. Since they ar no longer made and parts are not produced, you will pay a premium dollar for any availabe part if you can find the parts.

Well I bought the boat. Now the good news. Took us 1 hour to get the lower end fixed. Another hour to fix the casting deck. We took it out and this thing flys across the water. No issues with anything once we got out, friend took his boat out with us just in case. The Bad news the fishing was well below par. We only caught 6 fish. My mechanic told me the motor is in good shape. 140 lbs compression in the cylinders, brand new water pump, & new spark plugs and wires. He says someone took care of the motor before I got it. I agree with a lot on Force motors not being the best in reputation. If anything goes wrong. I've now got a used 90 HP Mercury and controls to replace the Force with. I got lucky at an auction and picked it up for $350. We took it to my mechanic and hooked it up to fuel and dropped it in the test tank. Runs and shifts good. Mechanic offered me $1000 for the Merc right them. I'm keeping it. Thanks for the advice and keep your lines wet.

Very cool. Glad it all worked out for you. As I said earlier, I have two friends with old force motors and neither of them have problems with them. Happy Fishing!