If a person spend sufficient time close to boat ramps, you're eventually likely to discover a 1999 50 hp johnson outboard hanging off the back of a classic whaler or a classic bass boat. It's one associated with those engines that will just seems to hang on forever, defying the age of high-tech electronic outboards and muted four-strokes. There's something remarkably honest regarding these old Johnsons. They aren't trying to be calm, they aren't attempting to be overly efficient, and these people certainly aren't "smart" within the modern sense. They're just strong bits of engineering that do precisely what they were designed to do: push a boat through the water till the sunlight goes down.
I've always had a soft spot intended for this era of Johnson outboards. By 1999, the company (then under OMC) had basically enhanced the old-school two-stroke design. It had been the tail end associated with an era prior to everything went to fuel injection plus heavy, complex internal systems. If you've got a 1999 50 hp sitting down in your transom, you've got a motor that you could actually work on yourself without needing a personal computer degree or a $5, 000 diagnostic tool.
Why This Motor Still Matters
You might wonder the reason why anyone would make use of a twenty-five-year-old engine when modern outboards are so much more fuel-efficient. The particular answer usually comes down to two things: pounds and simplicity. The 1999 50 hp johnson outboard is significantly lighter than a modern 50 hp four-stroke. On a smaller boat, that weight difference is huge. It can be the distinction between a ship that sits degree in the water plus one which has its transom buried below the waterline.
Then there's the "snap. " In case you've ever driven an old two-stroke, do you know what I imply. When you toss the throttle down on one of these simple, they just jump. There's no waiting for a fuel map to determine how much capacity to give you. It's an immediate, smoky, loud explosion of strength that gets a person on plane within a hurry. For a lot of us, that's simply part of the particular fun of being upon the water.
The Reality associated with 2-Stroke Power
Let's be true for a second—owning 1 of these isn't all sunshine plus rainbows. It's a 2-stroke, which means it's going to smoke just a little upon startup. It's going to be loud. If you're used to a modern motor where you can hold a whispered conversation while cruising, you're within for a surprise. You're likely to be shouting within the roar of the "Johnny-rude" when you're from wide-open throttle.
Fuel economy is another "interesting" topic. These engines like their own gas. They don't sip fuel; they gulp it. In case you're planning upon doing long-distance seaside runs, you'll desire to make certain your fuel container is topped away. But for several weekend boaters, the trade-off is well worth it. You conserve thousands of dollars within the initial buy price compared to a new motor, which buys a whole lot of fuel and oil.
Common Maintenance plus the DIY Existence
One associated with the best reasons for the 1999 50 hp johnson outboard is that it's a tinkerer's dream. Most of the stuff that will goes wrong will be pretty predictable. In case you're handy with a wrench and don't mind getting some grease under your own fingernails, you can keep one of them working for another twenty years.
The cooling system is usually the initial thing to check on. In the event that you aren't viewing a strong "tell-tale" stream of drinking water out your back, it's time for a new impeller. It's a relatively basic job—drop the reduce unit, swap the rubber wheel, plus bolt it back together. I always tell people to do this every two months regardless of just how it looks. It's cheap insurance towards overheating your powerhead.
Dealing with the particular VRO Pump
We can't speak about a 90s Johnson without bringing up the VRO (Variable Ratio Oiling) program. This was Johnson's method of automatically mixing the coal and oil therefore you didn't have to do it in the particular tank. People possess a love-hate relationship with VRO. Whenever it works, it's great. When this fails, it may starve the engine of oil plus turn your electric motor into an expensive paperweight.
A lot of men with a 1999 50 hp johnson outboard select to "delete" or bypass the VRO system. They merely disconnect the oil side and start blending their gas plus oil in a 50: 1 ratio personally. It's a bit more work at the gasoline station, but it provides total tranquility of mind. You know the engine is getting oil because you put it in there yourself.
Maintaining Those Carbs Clear
This motor uses carburetors, not fuel injectors. Which means it's sensitive towards the ethanol that's in many modern pump gas. Ethanol likes in order to attract water and turn right into an awful gel if it rests for too long. In case your motor will be sneezing, coughing, or even won't idle, 90% of the time it's because the carbohydrates are gummed upward.
The fix? Keep the fuel fresh, use a good stabilizer, plus maybe use a water-separating fuel filter. If they do obtain dirty, taking all of them apart and cleaning them is a great Saturday afternoon project. Just make sure you keep track of all these tiny springs and needles.
What to Look regarding Before Buying
In the event that you're looking from an used 1999 50 hp johnson outboard on Craigslist or Market, don't simply take the particular seller's word with regard to it. These are tough engines, but they aren't invincible. Bring a compression tester along with you. A person want to see numbers that are usually close to each other on both cylinders—usually somewhere over hundred psi, but the particular consistency between them is exactly what really matters.
Check the reduce unit oil, too. If you split the drain screw and milky white fluid comes away, you've got the seal leak plus water gets in. It's not really a deal-breaker, but it's definitely a bargaining point. And finally, pay attention to it run. It will start relatively effortlessly and settle right into a steady (if somewhat shaky) idle as soon as it warms up.
Final Ideas on the Classic
At the end of the day, the 1999 50 hp johnson outboard represents a particular philosophy associated with boating. It's intended for the individual who likes mechanical simplicity plus doesn't mind the little bit associated with noise. It's with regard to the fisherman who desires a motor that's easy to fix in the dock plus doesn't require the trip to the particular dealership every period a sensor will get wet.
Sure, it's not the particular most environmentally helpful option by today's standards, and it won't win any kind of awards for fuel efficiency. But there's a reason the truth is so many of them still out there. They were built during the time when things was meant to be fixed, not replaced. If you take care of one, it'll likely outlast half the "smart" devices you have within your house right now.
If you find one that's been well-maintained, grab it. There's the certain satisfaction in hearing that twin-cylinder motor roar to life, smelling that will faint hint of two-stroke smoke, plus feeling the boat lift as you head out for the day within the river. It's old-school boating at its best, and honestly, it's hard to beat that.