1996 johnson VRO

andreworiordan · 28 April 2010, 12:43

I have been offered a 60hp Johnson VRO (1996 approx) for cheap, was thinking of using it for this season and then get something better next year, i have been told that it starts and runs fine, dont know anything about these engines, what do ye think... it will be on the back of a 5.5m RIB, any ideas of what kind of speeds i could expect whith this kind of engine? also any comments on these engines? thanks lads

Downhilldai · 28 April 2010, 13:33

Most 5.5m RIBs need more than 60hp to perform.

The VRO system was never considered the best and a lot of people disconnected it and pre-mixed the oil with the fuel for peace of mind.

walruz · 28 April 2010, 16:18

I had an old rude 60 on the back of mine when I first got it and it was slow out of the hole and only managed about 28kts. If you have more than 3 on board it is even slower out of the hole. Please remember though that I have the flooding hull open on my boat.

Ian

9D280 · 29 April 2010, 08:07

Then remember if it's cheap and you aren't looking to win races it will be more than enough to get you by for a year.

- My old SR4 had a 25 on the back - No, it wasn't fast out the hole, but it did 21 Knts reliably. I bet most here would suggest a 30+ would be required......
- My current boat (5.3m) was originally supplied with a 40 when new.....

As for the VRO, I've no experience of it, but assuming it's no worse than the old Merc transom mount Automix machines

disconnecting should be easy, and if they were that unreliable, it;s probably been disconnected already! (Needless to say I'm running the museum on premix!)

outboardtech · 29 April 2010, 19:44

Hi , do you know if this is either a 60 degree V BLOCK OR A 90 DEGREE Block?? Go for it and get it checked out if its a 60 degree .

Nos4r2 · 29 April 2010, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by outboardtech

Hi , do you know if this is either a 60 degree V BLOCK OR A 90 DEGREE Block?? Go for it and get it checked out if its a 60 degree .

It's a 60hp. IL3.

Pete7 · 30 April 2010, 07:43

and IMHO quite good engines. Had the 70 hp version which ran at 4 gallons an hour and produced 30 knots on a Ribtec 5.35. The other advantage is the 60 hp has a large slow turning prop compared to some of the competition so less likely to ventilate coming off the top of a wave and more likely to bite going back in. We ran another 70 on the back of a large dory full of divers, yes it was slow but did the job. Nice simple engine and cheap to maintain.

Also since the design hasn't changed much in 30 years there are lots of spares for these engines, so I would buy it.

Pete

andreworiordan · 01 May 2010, 21:05

was also looking at a mariner 75hp 2 stroke around 1999(yr) and looking for £2000 for her, might be a better option, pics of the two engine attached!

andreworiordan · 01 May 2010, 21:06

pics of the two engines

Downhilldai · 03 May 2010, 22:38

£2k should buy you a 90hp motor of that vintage, which would be better suited to a 5.5m RIB

BogMonster · 04 May 2010, 01:37

The VRO on my old Johnson 115 was reliable for the four years I had it. I always suspected it might have had a hand in fouling the plug on one cylinder, but better too much oil than not enough! Topping the oil tank up every 4/5 tankfuls of petrol was a darned sight easier than faffing with premix.