Are you merc. Or omc. And y?

[Will hedrick]

Who loves what? I have always been an evinrude man,just what I have always messed with.422893

[oldschoolltv]

Family was a Johnson dealer for 40 years still what I run :cheers:

[nitro_rat]

I grew up around OMC loyalists, but once I got in to go fasts it was clear to me that Mercury was the way to go. Once you go black, you’ll bever go back!

I actually usually run Mariner V6’s, so since I only went gray there still may be hope?

[outasite]

One of my first jobs was at a Buick garage. Across the street was Miller Marine, and right in the front window was the most perfect engine I had ever seen! This was around 1969. A brand new black Merc 1000 SS. My first brand new motor took a few years to afford but was well worth the wait, the 1000SS big brother,A 77 1500XS.But it all goes back to that slim tall Merc in the window,I've been hooked ever since.

[ssv170]

OMC/BRP No place for 4 strokes in my little bit of heaven...……..

[oldschoolltv]

423455

[gfinch]

O utboard
M otor
C orporation
423456
D ave
B ush
R acing

[mrichartz]

OMC Evinrude...old school just because I like to work on my stuff and easier to work on! At least for me
And like the older stuff
423458

[oldschoolltv]

423459

[Robby321]

Whats a OMC? :confused::rolleyes::p

[W2F a V-King]

My first Outboard was a 1971 9.8 Merc, used to terrorize the drainage canals close to my house in my early teens. Have had almost nothing but Merc's ever since (one yamahammer, and one Evinrude ).

Tons of V6 motors, most built up from scavenged parts, FrankenMerc motors. All I cold afford then.
In my view they are the "SBC" of outboard motors. Lots of used parts everywhere, and most of them interchangeable within a wide range of years and HP configurations. And reliable, even my basket case builds.

I have nothing against other makes, I'm sure their OK as well. Biggest reason was in my early boating days most of the races I saw at the marine stadium in Miami were dominated by Merc's. All tower of powers with stacks back then.

[Will hedrick]

I love this classic sign,
423500

[Will hedrick]

OMC Evinrude...old school just because
423458

I love me some twins : )

[mrichartz]

I love me some twins : )

Oh Just because I like to work on my stuff and easier to work on! At least for me

[Will hedrick]

Is that some 30 choppers I see?

[mrichartz]

Is that some 30 choppers I see?

Those were the cleavers I was running ..but here's the props
423505

[Will hedrick]

Nice, they got some cup to them,lab work?

[mrichartz]

Nice, they got some cup to them,lab work?

Yes.. Matched, balanced etc

[rock]

They all have good points and they all have bad points. I started with a Merc and will likely die with a Merc.

Rock

[LakeFever]

I have had all three. I like this V6 Merc ( my first one ) a lot though. Sounds good, runs good, and sooooo much support/parts. The Merc V6 to OB's is the LS/SBC/BBC to muscles cars. You can argue all day about which is better, but you cannot argue the fact that 9/10 HotRods are powered by them, same as Merc V6 ob's they are on most gofast boats. Props galore

[Robby321]

As a kid in the 50's, grew up with them all. But the budding gearhead in me saw all the J-rudes, Scotts, (learn to ski behind it), but my Brother had a Baby Switzer with 20H Merc. Ernie next us resort had a Hydro w'20H too, as a pink ski boat with a Merc 350 he would ski behind dad driving, and he was a FANTASTIC skier! But across the lake was a wooden Switzer semi cabin, red with that white swirl the sides with that "Stack on the back"! Dunno if dock buster, or FGS. But THAT tall motor, and that sound had me hooked for LIFE! 60+ years later still got a "stack on the back" my little Flatbottom! "Back in black and aint ever going back"!
-

[Robby321]

Heres the pic I found on that Switzer. Not cabin, but cover. Funny thing it was F/S and from Lake Villa Illinois, where we boated! Is it the same one I saw decades ago? Who knows. And also knew Bobby Switzer well later in life Fox Lake (built my Swit SS17, new XS IL6 in 1972). Neighbor had his GL20, 200 Rude. But one day Bobby and Carol as doggy came up our channel in his new GL21, with 235 Rude! RIP Bobby, as passed now. Some pix old days! Great times! Old boat had a IL6, not this 4 stack.

[Robby321]

Whoops, pix my 15.6 Flatty! Would NOT look right a OMC..(crank up rebuild)
423626
423627
423628

[Speed Jr.]

New school OMC......423636

Why? Read the ODBA rule book, they must be superior.....��

[gfinch]

"Why? Read the ODBA rule book, they must be superior.....��"
LOL.
What ECU?

[powerabout]

Whoops, pix my 15.6 Flatty! Would NOT look right a OMC..(crank up rebuild)
423626
423627
423628

Everyone has to love a 1500xs even us omc guys

[Will hedrick]

New school OMC......423636

Why? Read the ODBA rule book, they must be superior.....��

The svs look cold !!

[mrichartz]

New school OMC......423636

Why? Read the ODBA rule book, they must be superior.....��

Details on motor?
Any more pics? Can't really see the mid
Thing does look bad ass!

[Speed Jr.]

423678

[Speed Jr.]

423679

[Tcatrett]

I grew up on OMC.. My dad was Evolution Marine. We had some good years with them. In 1991 he bought a Mercury dealership. The Mercury thing took off.. So of course I run Mercs.. I still love seeing OMCs run and the sound. I have a couple V6 phase 4s and 5s blocks that never been built. Maybe a project one day..

[olboatman]

My first OB was a "49" 3hp Johnson when I was about 10 (on a 12 ft Mirro-Craft), Since then I have run the whole gammet....including Scotts ,Martins etc when I was young Then got into speed and ran the Mercs of the 1950s. Was out of it for a lot of yrs but ran Mercs on my dive boats, Now that I'm back into speed I have a couple of modded OMCs and a Yammy. Down the road maybe a Tunnel with a V6 Merc. I'm at the point that if it runs fast and is reliable I'll take it!!! BTW Have been the same way with cars, trucks and sleds.
Gary

[Will hedrick]

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's story's, this is what it is all about, we may not all run the same motors, but we all have the story's of our past on why we are where we are, I love reading the post
Thanks guys

[Speed Jr.]

"why? Read the odba rule book, they must be superior.....��"
lol.
What ecu?

LINK G4+ Extreme

[gfinch]

I remember many phone great conversations with your dad, Marvin? if I remember correctly. I had him buy, build and send me a brand new phase 2 then a phase 4 short block. Put the hurt on to many with "It's just a stupid fishing boat!"

I grew up on OMC.. My dad was Evolution Marine. We had some good years with them. In 1991 he bought a Mercury dealership. The Mercury thing took off.. So of course I run Mercs.. I still love seeing OMCs run and the sound. I have a couple V6 phase 4s and 5s blocks that never been built. Maybe a project one day..

[NICE PAIR]

In a small galaxy, far, far, away, 2 young boys started their boating adventures with an 8' pram with a 5.5 Johnson on it. You know, the little green one with the neutral lever on the top right side. Remember , "You asked for it"

5.5 Johnson
7.5 OK60 Johnson
30 hp Wizard
35 Johnson
50 Johnson
replaced 35 Johnson with 40 Johnson (1 piece cowl, quieter)
90 Merc tower of power
V-drive, 430 Lincoln 4/2's (carboat)
v-drive, 389 Pontiac, 6/2's (carboat)
Talon 21, 200 Merc
put new 225 Mariner on 21 Talon
bought 2nd 21 Talon (one for Bob, one for Steve)
put 300 Merc on Bob's Talon
put Bob's 225 on Steve's Talon (little brother is faster with 300)
put 300 Merc on Steve's Talon, sell 225 (we both run in the mid to high 90's)
Two brothers, 2 Talons, 2 300 Mercs, sounds dangerous ;-)
Bob buys 22 DCB, twin merc 260's (Bob and I had to loose weight or add motors)
Steve buys 22 Talon, twin 300 drags (is faster but blows up a motor fairly quick)
DCB looses a 260, gets new 280 powerheads. (fast)
Talon gets some Ruck modified 260 wannabe S3000 powerheads (way fast)
Bob gets carboat, 27 Eliminator, Teague 800, outdrive (nice grocery getter)
Steve finds a rough shape Skater 28, sells Talon, buys Skater.
Steve and Bob have fun for awhile, then the tanks go bad in the Skater.
4 years later, Bob still has Eliminator, Steve put new tanks, canopies, and 300XS's in the 28.
Steve buys 1966 Glasspar G3 project w/80 Johnson

So the short answer is:

I've got 2 mercs

425036

and a Johnrude

425037

I've left out a few to keep the story short, some of the guy's have short attention spans. :thumbsup:

[olboatman]

In a small galaxy, far, far, away, 2 young boys started their boating adventures with an 8' pram with a 5.5 Johnson on it. You know, the little green one with the neutral lever on the top right side. Remember , "You asked for it"

5.5 Johnson
7.5 OK60 Johnson
30 hp Wizard
35 Johnson
50 Johnson
replaced 35 Johnson with 40 Johnson (1 piece cowl, quieter)
90 Merc tower of power
V-drive, 430 Lincoln 4/2's (carboat)
v-drive, 389 Pontiac, 6/2's (carboat)
Talon 21, 200 Merc
put new 225 Mariner on 21 Talon
bought 2nd 21 Talon (one for Bob, one for Steve)
put 300 Merc on Bob's Talon
put Bob's 225 on Steve's Talon (little brother is faster with 300)
put 300 Merc on Steve's Talon, sell 225 (we both run in the mid to high 90's)
Two brothers, 2 Talons, 2 300 Mercs, sounds dangerous ;-)
Bob buys 22 DCB, twin merc 260's (Bob and I had to loose weight or add motors)
Steve buys 22 Talon, twin 300 drags (is faster but blows up a motor fairly quick)
DCB looses a 260, gets new 280 powerheads. (fast)
Talon gets some Ruck modified 260 wannabe S3000 powerheads (way fast)
Bob gets carboat, 27 Eliminator, Teague 800, outdrive (nice grocery getter)
Steve finds a rough shape Skater 28, sells Talon, buys Skater.
Steve and Bob have fun for awhile, then the tanks go bad in the Skater.
4 years later, Bob still has Eliminator, Steve put new tanks, canopies, and 300XS's in the 28.
Steve buys 1966 Glasspar G3 project w/80 Johnson

So the short answer is:

I've got 2 mercs

425036

and a Johnrude

425037

I've left out a few to keep the story short, some of the guy's have short attention spans. :thumbsup:

Of all your OBs the Wizard interested me the most as I wanted one when I was young.
Gary

[NICE PAIR]

Of all your OBs the Wizard interested me the most as I wanted one when I was young.
Gary

I believe it was a Merc under the cover, can't remember who sold them, it may have been a chain store.
We bought it well used in 1963/1965

[Robby321]

Sold by Western Auto. My uncle worked Sears then (time line mentioned) and they were affiliated Western I think. He bought a sears 14 foot Fiberglass with Elgin motor new at cost for my cousin. Learned to ski behind it a kid! But didn't a Wizard berore made by Merc? My Merc gurus has one..gotta search it.

425070

[Robby321]

Now the Merc Wizard..(Damn ! miss the good old days!)

425071

[NICE PAIR]

Sold by Western Auto. My uncle worked Sears then (time line mentioned) and they were affiliated Western I think. He bought a sears 14 foot Fiberglass with Elgin motor new at cost for my cousin. Learned to ski behind it a kid! But didn't a Wizard berore made by Merc? My Merc gurus has one..gotta search it.

425070

That's the one, Thanks Robby

[olboatman]

Ya guys that 25 Wizard was a 4 cyl sleeper. The word was it produced well over 30 hp at the crank. What a ride on a 12 ft Mirro-Craft (light) as my friend had one. Boy those were the days!!!
Gary

[mrichartz]

Still another reason omc/evinrude the shifter has the screw at the linkage and when you have a bad day and hit something and this happens the lower unit doesnt fall to the bottom of the river.
brand new lower units luckily for the screw
425114425115

[Robby321]

Ya guys that 25 Wizard was a 4 cyl sleeper. The word was it produced well over 30 hp at the crank. What a ride on a 12 ft Mirro-Craft (light) as my friend had one. Boy those were the days!!!
Gary

It HAD to be a monster ride! Heck, I was testing out a 20 Johnny on a 12 foot alum and was like a damn rocket ship!

[David]

I bought a NOS 200XS this year for my SS 2000. Our family bought a 150 HO for our JCraft (jointly owned with my brothers). The family tin boat has an 8 HP two stroke Yamaha.

one of each, not counting Tohatsu, Honda, and Suzuki

[Merc 2.5]

Well ive owned mercs, evinrudes, had a 88 vro 115 that was a GREAT little motor, but after goin back and fourth ,the merc stole my heart. It has the sound (stock form) that omc missing and rpms but the omc had great torque, but they ALL gonna have their issues sooner or later. If my merc went down and a omc was gonna get me back out next day then I'd use it , til I got my merc rebuilt or another merc of course . I do like to pick at omc guys (chevy,ford) but all in fun of course . Great thread here Will. Will are you out Hendersonville parts? Old hickory?

[Will hedrick]

Well ive owned mercs, evinrudes, had a 88 vro 115 that was a GREAT little motor, but after goin back and fourth ,the merc stole my heart. It has the sound (stock form) that omc missing and rpms but the omc had great torque, but they ALL gonna have their issues sooner or later. If my merc went down and a omc was gonna get me back out next day then I'd use it , til I got my merc rebuilt or another merc of course . I do like to pick at omc guys (chevy,ford) but all in fun of course . Great thread here Will. Will are you out Hendersonville parts? Old hickory?

I'm out ky lake mouse tail landing up to Paris landing all the time, go to Barkley at Cumberland city, even cheatem from time to time, live in dickson, I have fished old hickery some, last time.i was there was in an weekend series tournament around June, dude won it it with 27 lb. Of smallmouth. Impressive to say the least.

[Merc 2.5]

Nice! You ain't far from me , 30 min max prob, I stay on cheatham weekends a d evenings in spring summer , I fish old hickory, Cuba landing, quite bit , leatherwood here and there

[Merc 2.5]

We dnt have many allys down here and the ones here I know but all mercs so I know I havent seen you out but
Maybe this spring get together

[Will hedrick]

That would be great, I fish a lot of tournaments so I am out there a lot, i was wondering if anyone was close to me on s and f, I would like to get whoever can come together and have a run on day in the spring or summer on one of the 3 lakes so definitely. Keep it in mind next year

[1954bmw]

Was buying my first Checkmate, early 70's MX-15 with a 115 Merc tower on the back, told the salesman I wanted to see it run, at the time, Princeton Marine had a small test tank in the back of their dealership, they would move boats around with an old fork truck, anyway , they dunked my little Checkmate into the tank, started it up, and floored the throttle, shoved the boat, trailer and fork truck up the ramp, been lovin Merc's ever since.

[Instigator]

While in Fla, there was a recycling yard in an industrial park that the local dealers dumped their dead motors at.

Tough to deal with as Mexican run, only one spoke English and wasn’t always there.
But when he was, he sold me complete V-6 OMC loopers for .50c per lb, or $225.

Id take it home and rebuild it at a cost of $500., having a total of $750 in it or $1000 if I paint/sticker it and reseal gear case.
Sold p.heads for $3500. and complete motors for $4500.

Or I’d port it, screw on good heads and carbs and go Merc huntin.
300 hp+, 7500 rpm for a grand ��

[1954bmw]

Come with paper work or Florida didn't title engines???

[Instigator]

Come with paper work or Florida didn't title engines???
Motors dont come from scrap yards w/titles.

Down there, no one cared. Shipped those p.heads all over the US, Bahamas and Caribbean.
Delivered them to private planes at local airports, on their way to the islands.
Had one guy w/a house in the islands negotiate to bring me there for installation/tuning. Unfortunately we coulnt come to terms.

[Capt.Insane-o]

434936

[Will hedrick]

434936

That's awesome, I have some family up in monroe mi. From the wife's side, just noticed your location

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Was always an OMC guy. Started working on them in 1980. Did some racing in the 80's Was my living for a long time. But I witnessed the product suffer because of the way the corp. was run. Today, I don't need to be a speed demon I have a pontoon with a Yamaha. After almost seven years without even a hic up I am more than impressed. I don't think OMC could have ever built as good a motor as a Yamaha.

[Will hedrick]

Figured I would have to say, after I few long years, I still love the omc,s but I did turn to the dark side, I hope yall can forgive me lol :leaving:

[James45157]

i have run 2 johnsons 1 evinrude i scott atwater 3 mercury worst motor was a new 100 hp 1989 merc best was a 1989 135 v6 merc the others gave good service sad to see evinrude stop making motors i have friends who have the new ones they love them i liked both brands

[22R]

Growing up my Dad had Mercs and that is all I ever had. Still sad to see Evinrude gone though.

22R