Gift Horse - Johnson 75 hp Seahorse

I have been offered a '63 16ft runabout with a 75 hp Johnson Seahorse on the back. It has been parked in the weeds by the pond for a few years and is now been offered to me; if I'd care to have it. <br /><br />The hull looks great; no dents... everything else looks like, well, it has been sitting by the pond for a few years. I looked inside the engine cover. I don't see that there are any leaks. The lower unit looks clean and straight. The boat needs restoration, I think I can handle most of it, but I don't know if the motor is something I should have worked on, rebult or salvaged. I am told that the motor ran when it was parked, but was a little hard starting. <br /><br />I am a complete newbee to power boating. This looks like the gift horse that is offered to me for the taking. My wife has her eyebrows up! Any advice is appreciated.<br /><br />What would you good people recommend I do? <br /><br />Art<br />A.K.A. MoRiverRat

Re: Gift Horse - Johnson 75 hp Seahorse

A big WELCOME Art -<br /><br />That could be a fun project. You can check it out without draining your wallet. You might:<br /><br />1. Pull the plugs and see if you can turn it over by hand.<br /><br />2. Do a compression check and post the results here. This will give you an indication of the internal condition of the engine.<br /><br />3. I wouldn't try to start it just yet.<br /><br />4. Loosen the drain plug on the gear case and check for water - if water is present it will look like - - well water - - or be milky in color indicating water mixed in with the gear oil.<br /><br />5. When you post back include the model number.<br /><br />Post back & we can go from there.<br /><br />Have you checked for soft spots (rot) in the floor of the boat or the transom?

Re: Gift Horse - Johnson 75 hp Seahorse

I would also pull the lower unit off and replace the water pump, or at least the impeller. Being a 1963 the gasil is 24:1