Bridgeports, are they good?

[larby]

Can anyone tell me what these are like?
I'm looking into buying one and have been told two completely different things about them. One guy says they're great, the other says they're junk.

Has anyone got an opinion on these? I've never heard about them being crap before...

Thanks

James

[Tom Stone]

i've owned one for about a year and they are as reliable as a fishing motor, well once you have got past the initial issues. do have to be very particular on your rigging, always have a good battery and use a suitable oil like castrol biolube. don't use quicksilver as soon cloggs up the injectors.

[boating]

Don't waste your money. They are rubbish the bridge tends to break up unless treated with real care. Parts are almost impossible to get hold of new. Pistons are the real problem. I can't remember seeing a good one in a long time. Unless you can find an absoulte one owner fantastic engine you will find yourself with a whole heap of trouble, which I would guess are no longer around.

Mark

[Burty]

they stopped making them at least 15 yearsb ago so parts will be a problem, they eat rings pretty quick too.

[Techteam]

When the pistons are modified to help cool the bridge they are reliable but any 2.4 bridgeport is going to be tired. The ring pins are also terribly inclined to come loose. If you can afford a 2.5 go that route.

[larby]

Thanks for all the advice guys... I think i'm going to go down the 2.5 route now, have found a carbed 2.5 (fishing spec i assume, about 200hp) with very low hours so will be a lot more reliable

I lose out on about 50hp, but hey, i'm less likely to get stuck halfway to sark again!

Thanks again, i can always rely on this place!

James