Sportsman Marine Service in Salem

[Jaeger]

Can someone please tell me if they have any information about the quality of these guys' work?

I have an '89 Johnson 15hp that I need to have serviced and the number one place that was recomended to me is three weeks out at minimum.
It was suggested I try Sportsman Marine Service here in Salem as my alternative.
I'm just looking for some type of a clue if they are a reputable bunch or not. They say they can have my motor ready by late this week or early next week, pretty good for this time of year, from what I can tell.
I've rebuilt VW motors several times in my younger days and could probably do what needs to be done, but this thing has to reliably bring me back to the dock and I NEED to trust it completely.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Jason Jaeger

:help:

[Phil Layer]

I'm guessing you've called the boat shop in West Salem and they told you they can't get to you for a while? If not, PM me for a phone number.

I have not heard of these guys you are asking about but have had exceptional results with the West Salem shop.

Good luck.

[Spoonplugger]

They do good work. I've used their services for years. They are very reasonable in their pricing also.

[Jaeger]

Thanks Phil Layer, I'll pm you for the number of the shop you mentioned. I hadnt called around as the person I did talk to about the motor comes highly regarded from my mentors and specialises in older motors and older merc's specifically but has too long of a wait. I'm def interested in who does good work and doesnt want my first born as payment.

Spoonplugger, Thanks a ton for the input also its good to know someone has delt with them and has good things to say.

I dont really question them because of who it was that recomended them to me. I just like to look into things if I'm going to spend XXX dollars on something I have to trust my life with.

thnx again

Jason

[trap50]

I have used them for a while myself. Dave found a short in my control box on a brand new motor. The wires were pinched when it was installed in PDX.

[fish Addict80]

I have used them also and would recommend them to anyone. Dave is a stand up guy and has always treated me right. They do good work at very reasonable prices and stick to their promises. If they say it can be done at a certain time they have never failed to have it ready for me. I have a 1989 225hp johnson that fried the electrical harness plug. They gave me a quote over the phone that was half the amount that American marine in hubbard said was a minimun and came within a few dollars of it. I have been very pleased in all my dealings with them. In fact had I not got a deal on my hondas I would have bought a new etec from them. In short you should be happy in dealing with them.

Luke

[Jaeger]

Well I thank you guys again for the helpful input.
Sorry it took a few to get back here and post again but I had some fishing to do.
I spent the afternoon the other day with my father working on the motor, (Isnt it amazing how Dads seem to know almost everything even after you've tried to grow up?). We got the little bugger running really well except for a poor check valve output, it just drips.
I am going to do the water impeller swap out myself tomorrow I hope, and try to correct the check valve issue asap. I tried the wire trick and got no noticable change so I'll Git'er Done and checked again.
The lower water output seems great, putting out quite a bit of water when running with the water-muffler on in the driveway, and when running in the river at an angle with the shallow running tilt so I can see.
I will say that the motor runs great now on the water,fires up in two or three pulls when semi-warm; nice n smooth at 22 mph downriver now in my 14' mirro w/full fishing gear; it'll troll down to a near stall aswell and doesnt get warm at all really so I'm asuming the water is flowing just not getting out the check tube due to hopefully a simple obstruction.

Either way I'm going to talk with the folks out at Sportsman Marine and see what they can do along the lines of a full rebuild at the end of springer season.
I learned these litle motors get a little loose in the motor mounts over time as well as a few other long term maint items that warrant a complete run through. For the 600$ I paid for the motor I am happy with it and think a good chunk to rebuild it to near new condition will be well spent in my IMHO.

OOps started rambling again, LOL. Thanks again guys.

Jason :cheers: