2007 Boston Whaler 130 sport, did we buy a DUD??

In this video, we buy ourselves a 2007 Boston Whaler 130 sport. It seemed fine on the trailer, but on our first launch into a lake, the trouble started! The Mercury 40HP outboard would hardly run under load, and barely pushed the little boat at all. We have done a little troubleshooting, checked plugs, and compression, and all those showed normal. Most all problems that are encountered with these style mercury engines stem from the fact that people set them up for long periods of time, with no stabilizer in the modern ethanol fuel. Over time, these fuels separate, and corrode the fuel system components. We show you what we found, and our plan to cure our problems. We hope yall enjoy the video!

[@benhoang621]

Also, make sure the vent on the fuel tank gas cap is open so fuel can flow freely

[@jstar1000]

I would never buy a boat that I could not put in the water and test out for at least 30 minutes or so. Last boat I bought that way it had an issues and I was able to talk them down a bunch and got a super great deal. If I hadn't tested on the water I would have never discovered the issue. The low oil alarm started blaring after about 10 minutes on the water. I told him I needed to take it in and have it gone over to see what was going on as there was plenty of oil. While he was loading it on the trailer I googled it and discovered the float gets water logged in the oil tank causing it to sink and make the alarm to go off. He loaded up the boat and came to me and said he would knock off another $1000 off the price if I bought it as is so with the info I just learned from google I took the chance and it was correct and I fixed it for less then $100 but saved $1000. We had already negotiated the price before I actually got it on the water too which was down from his asking price $500 which he had also lowered from his original asking price lol, so yeah he got screwed totally and I got a smoking deal.

[@fern8808]

I had the same issue when I purchased my outboard, I replaced the fuel pump but had to rewire it with a diode and a relay as I wasnt going to spend 700 on a oem fuel pump. I purchased one from amazon for 80 dollars but some people had iaaues with it blowing their ECUs as the fuel pump on mine ran at 3 amps and the ones from amazon run at 5 to 6 amps causing the ecu to overheat and get fried. Mine is a 30 ho 2001 efi mercury. Symptoms are the same for 30's and 25's not sure what size your motor is. I hope you get it running and not spend too much on it. I know the feeling of purchasing sometnihg and then feeling like you've been had.. Good Luck!

[@wildbluewander_1]

I haven't had the ecu issue with my new pump, but I think I'm going to put a relay in line just in case, thanks for the advice

[@michaelmcmullen4646]

1973 13ft. Boston whaler 25 horse Yamaha 2005. Runs great.

[@kCI251]

Always insist on a water trail or at very least run the motor 20 minutes in a barrell or ear muffs. Outboards are very finicky if not maintained properly.

[@drummer0864]

A lot of good info. I have a Merc. on mine and have not been satisfied with it's performance either. Maybe I'll take a look under the hood to see what I can see. Tx

[@becausearkansas2491]

Wild Blue Whaler, I like the name.

[@wildbluewander_1]

Thanks!!

[@RR-pw5nb]

We've been calling my boat the Boston Strangler.

[@dougo5635]

don't use fuel with ethanol in it

[@krisnowak4]

18 years, over 2000 hours on 3 boats, all running 10% ethanol. Not a single problem. Works in my car, works in my boat, and it's over a dollar a gallon cheaper than "rec" gas.

[@jimmyjack7141]

Looks like someone used fuel with Ethanol

[@lesfaust9634]

Bad fuel line inside the motor,,it gets soft and collapses

[@Whalermansteve84]

Did you check the compression yet ? I’m guessing your compression is low

[@wildbluewander_1]

Thanks for the tip, I did check compression off camera. All 3 cylinders showed around 150 psi. If you'd like, check out our follow up video that just dropped!

[@AlistairKiwi]

Who did such a dinky little boat get called a "whaler"?

[@chrisbarclay4257]

I expected a vid about a Boston Whaler..... not a motor.

[@wildbluewander_1]

The outboard is essential to the operation of the boat. I believe it's a package deal when you buy a boat the outboard is included. And from what I can tell, boston whalers almost always use mercury outboard, so I think it is very relevant to discuss.