Johson J25RSTC - 25HP 2 stroke Review

Overall Rating

Good thrust when the engine actually works.

Unreliable at best.
Replacement parts are overpriced and Bombardier takes a long time to ship them.

I've had this little "gem" of a motor for almost two years.
I purchased it right off the showroom floor and broke it in as per the manufacturer's specs.
The first run after the break-in period, the engine would overheat and vapor lock within 10 minutes of running at full throttle even though it was pulling water with no problem.
After approximately 20 hours of use, the recoil rope snapped. No biggie: ropes break.
I took the motor in for a basic tune-up this spring. At the first outing, it wouldn't even start.
Then the recoil rope and spring broke at the same time. After the recoil was fixed and put back on the motor, it took 1/2 hour to get it started.
Took it out on the lake. Within 10 minutes a horrible knocking and scapring was coming out of the fixed recoil. The recoil fell apart.
A new recoil (and $200.00 later), I dropped it in last night and surprise, surprise, it's vapor locking again.
Out of a possible three months of available boating time this motor has actually functioned less than 2 hours.
Johson used to be good motors but after this, I will never touch another one. Even Mercurys are better than this.

Members' Comments onNicko2's Review

• cdhorn on 1st Jun 2007

  Sounds like another ethanol problem...