100+ outboards

[JimS123]

There's a few reservoirs here and there in NJ and PA but for the most part if you can run a gas motor, it doesn't matter what type.

One big issue is that many older boats have a tough time handling the added weight of a four stroke. For years I ran a 1970 14ft Starcraft Seafarer, rated to 25hp, if I hung a 25hp modern four stroke on it I'd likely have freeboard issues at the 15" transom.
The same on my current 1978 Mirrocraft 17 ft Lake Fisherman, its rated to 50hp, but I doubt it could handle the weight of a 50hp four stroke with the driver's position being at the very rear of the boat, and the battery and fuel tank also being aft midship in that boat. It goes well with an older 35hp OMC, and I've been knocking around building it a fresh 50hp two stroke, but its so well balanced out now, I don't think I'd gain much with the 50hp over the 35hp, other than loss of freeboard and a few MPH.
I've got a small 12ft jon boat, 30" wide that's rated to 10hp, I have no doubt that a 95 lb four stroke would all but sink it when I got in the boat. It barely sits above the water line with just me and an electric trolling motor.

I had the same Seafarer and ran a 25 Yamaha 2-stroke on her, at 125 pounds. It was a very comfortable ride and the boat was certainly not overloaded.

A current Mercury 25 4-stroke would be 32# heavier, which I personally don't think would be an issue.

IMHO, the weight difference factors in a lot more for larger engines. Small tiller models are only slightly heavier.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

If you want a real value on what any old outboard is worth, do a search on eBay for completed listings for the major parts.
Most larger lower units that are in good shape can bring upwards of $250.
eBay #'s 354036671661 & 134083081372 are good examples.
Take a compression reading, note the model number each part came from and break them down piece by piece. What don't sell, make pile and sell that lot off in the end. It will all sell. Especially on the more popular size motors.

its my opinion that sellers think their gearcases are worth $400-$1200 on Ebay (for example OMC 2 and 3 cyl looper ones) completely un-inspected or serviced. Its crazy. I haven't paid over $250 for a complete non-running motor (mostly 2, 3 and V4 motors) in about 2 years. Gearcases themselves are just absurdly expensive and I dont think sellers are getting anywhere near that much$ for em'. Gas prices are so high the market is really tanking now.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

There's a few reservoirs here and there in NJ and PA but for the most part if you can run a gas motor, it doesn't matter what type.

One big issue is that many older boats have a tough time handling the added weight of a four stroke. For years I ran a 1970 14ft Starcraft Seafarer, rated to 25hp, if I hung a 25hp modern four stroke on it I'd likely have freeboard issues at the 15" transom.
The same on my current 1978 Mirrocraft 17 ft Lake Fisherman, its rated to 50hp, but I doubt it could handle the weight of a 50hp four stroke with the driver's position being at the very rear of the boat, and the battery and fuel tank also being aft midship in that boat. It goes well with an older 35hp OMC, and I've been knocking around building it a fresh 50hp two stroke, but its so well balanced out now, I don't think I'd gain much with the 50hp over the 35hp, other than loss of freeboard and a few MPH.
I've got a small 12ft jon boat, 30" wide that's rated to 10hp, I have no doubt that a 95 lb four stroke would all but sink it when I got in the boat. It barely sits above the water line with just me and an electric trolling motor.

MASSIVE difference between a 1986 (prop rated) OMC 2 cyl looper and the old 35 crossflows in my opinion, especially out of the hole. But I agree, balance matters for overally enjoyment on a small stern-heavy boat.

 

[crackedglass]

MASSIVE difference between a 1986 (prop rated) OMC 2 cyl looper and the old 35 crossflows in my opinion, especially out of the hole. But I agree, balance matters for overally enjoyment on a small stern-heavy boat.

What year did the 30-35hp OMC motors become loopers?

I was always under the impression that the prop rated hp began in 1984?
Meaning that a pre-84 35hp basically became the 1984-up 30hp with not much more than decal changes?
The 1979 Evinrude brochure states that the mid range twins are loop charged engines at that point, but I see nothing in the original literature for my 1978 Johnson 35hp other than it saying that the power head was introduced in 1976. My 1978 Johnson 35 power head appears to be the same as a new old stock 1985 30hp power head I picked up a few years ago as a spare when the local dealer closed up.

 

[reelfishin]

OMC larger twins and triples were loop charged by at least 1979, maybe a few years earlier, not sure.
The smaller twins, 25-35hp, didn't become loop charged till 1996.

I run several 1976-1986 model smaller twins, they're by far one of my favorites motors.
Crossflow motors make good motors for fishing or trolling since they inherently run smoother at lower RPMs than a loop charged motor.


When it comes to any older outboard, my preference is the late 70's to mid 80's OMC motors, they were easy to work on, plentiful, and required few special tools. There's a lot to be said for just plain simplicity.
I also don't mind the older Chrysler/Force/Gamefisher/Sea King motors, although not as robust, they are very simple motors and require very little to keep them running.

 

[retroroy]

Its been 2 years since all of the above occurred and I wanted to come back here with some sort of update.
After two seasons listed on CL very few of the lot of motors have found homes. Basically only those with issues sold. CL and FB produced zero sales, all of those that sold were sold by word of mouth or other sources.
All of the Chrysler motors went to one buyer 1900 miles away. He dropped off one of those moving pods rigged with beams to hang motors from. When loaded a truck came and removed the container.
I added the 30/35hp motors to my own garage.

Other than that only a few parts motors have sold.
CL and FB get zero replies these days.
I listed the 9.9hp OMC motors at $550, all run but have been sitting and will no doubt need water pump impellers and carb cleanings even on those that had new water pumps two years ago and were never run.
I put $650 on the 15hp motors, and $500 on the older 18-25hp motors but got no replies. For being in an area with so many places to boat or fish I really would have thought these would have found more homes. Especially with no new motors or dealers around these days. The nearest dealer is over 30 miles away. Along with the motors I had five boats, all with papers but none sold. The highest offer I got for a never been wet Grumman 14ft hull from 1989 was $250. I dropped it off to a buddies place an hour away and it sold for $1,500 the same day on his lawn. I had it listed for $800 here and got no takers. I later found out it sold to the same guy who offered $250 who lives half way between me and where it sold

 

[reelfishin]

You have to list them elsewhere, nothing sells here, those who can still afford to boat buy new boats and motors, those who can't have parked or dumped their boats.
I only got out about 8 times last year and the water was all ours, other than a few jetskis buzzing by at full speed a couple times and a few boat load of kids and tubes heading out to open water there was no one out fishing.
We were the only aluminum boat everytime and most of the time we didn't even see another boat in an area where we used to dread going on the weekend because of the traffic. The ramp parking lots were also empty as were the piers. It was actually a bit creepy on the river and some of the bigger lakes. I've never seen it that way before but it made for some of the best fishing and crabbing we ever saw. A few years of near zero fishing pressure has done wonders. A few spots had groups of people fishing from the shore but none had boats and most were migrants fishing illegally but not really where the fish were.

PA and states to the south don't seem affected by it all but they won't travel, I deal with motorcycles and prewar bicycles and people won't cross the bridge for anything. Most won't drive 5 miles since covid. They'd rather pay double and have it shipped knowing that if its paid for through PayPal they can complain and get their money back.

It sounds to me like most of those motors are likely low hours and without a list its hard to say why something don't sell but I'd venture to guess if you listed them elsewhere they'd be gone fast. Just looking around my own neighborhood, most of these people can't change a light bulb let alone a water pump or spark plug. If your going to have a boat these days and can't afford a new one every couple years you best know how to work on it. Otherwise its gonna get costly fast.

 

[racerone]

Agreed----Older motors are of little value since it costs too much for shops to do basic service.---That is if you can find a shop to work on them.------And folks who know how to fix older motors often get them for free or less than $50.

 

[Mc Tool]

Surely anyone wanting an old motor for the love of them or budget constraints would be doing their own servicing , the simplicity of them has been mentioned a few times

 

[crackedglass]

Agreed----Older motors are of little value since it costs too much for shops to do basic service.---That is if you can find a shop to work on them.------And folks who know how to fix older motors often get them for free or less than $50.

Some people can only afford older outboards. Not everyone has $3k for a new motor.
Finding a shop to work on any outboard is a problem here, there's nothing local and the closest place is over a half hour drive and $185/hr for labor.
If you have to pay someone to work on your motor and you can't afford a new one boating is likely out of your financial grasp.
This seems to be what the problem is lately. Lots of people want boats but a boat means having the money to register it and a trailer, buy and service a motor, then buy fuel for it and all that goes along with it. The problem is most folks here can't seem to be able to afford gas to for their car let alone a truck or boat. NJ is also an electric only state in most freshwater ponds with very few allowing a 10hp motor or less. That leaves anything larger for saltwater or river use, which usually means another step up in cost.

 

[redneck joe]

Where are you located?

 

[cyclops222]

Welcome to the new USA. Where most businesses are operating at the most they can charge. There is no limit until there are no customers willing to have all their money taken away.
Price Gouging is the new standard.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Drop your prices to about $200 for the 9.9 and they should sell

 

[airshot]

Find a flea market around the great lakes area, load up a trailer with small out boards and spend a long weekend there. Small out boards are hot sellers as trolling motors on larger boats and typically move quickly if in good condition. If they look junky or don't run, you can't give them away, but decent motors move quickly at decent prices, even high prices if motors are really nice. What I find....folks with nice motors keep them, and sell off the junky ones......

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

the 2cyl and 3cyl loopers are my bread and butter, i suspect like many of us old 2 stroke rebuild shops. my limit for a clean re-builder (max .020'' over if its just minor scoring) is $250. i consider any motor not able to be demonstrated on stand a re-builder, or one flopped over on its side. problem is sellers think they have gold so they just sit and end up at the dump rather than sold for fair value due to big egos.

 

[mirrocraft16]

I've found the same thing here lately. Its not a matter of price, its a matter of no one wanting a boat or motor. I've seen some really nice motors and boats listed for free for months with no takers. All last year the water was devoid of boats here. Freshwater fishing is dead, I've not seen anyone fishing any of the local ponds or rivers in a few years and most ramps have been left to grow over.
Bigger motors, 10hp and up are restricted to the river and in 5 times there last year I doubt if I saw more than 10 other boats all year counting jet skis.

Most of the boats on FB and CL have no papers. (How so many people end up with boats with no titles is insane).

There seems to be no interest in boating here at all lately. Even newer boats and motors won't sell. I bought a minty clean 2007 Honda 9,9hp tjat looked like it was never run which sat on SJ CL for two years first for $500, then $400, $350, and finally at $200. I got it for $100. The seller said they never got an email on it. They had inherited the thing on a stand as it was pictured from their grandfather who lived out of state. They hauled all his stuff back to Jersey and listed it on CL but said they ended up throwing most of it away after they got no takers.
I bought a 2006 Crown Vic off them too with 4,400 original miles that sat unsold just as long for $1,100. I drove it home. I put four new tires, and oil change, and a fresh battery in it and have $1,600 in what's pretty much a new car. The woman told me it didn't get a single email. The car is like new and the old guy kept a log of everything he did to the car including fill ups ad the last entry was from April of 2007 for its second oil change at the dealer.

Not every cheap car, truck of boat for sale is a scam. if you don't go look you will ever find the deals, I took the car to my other house where it sits in the garage. It'll see 100 or so miles per year at best now as a spare vehucle.

As a former mechanic I'd far rather have a clean older motor than a new one. They were bult better with better metal. The 35hp on my Mirrocraft is a 1978 Johnson, its every bit as good as it was when new and has never been rebuilt or needed any major repairs. A few sets of spark plugs, a few impellers and I reasealed the lower unit in 2001. It starts everytime and has always been reliable but running or not I'd guess that I likely couldn't get $500 for it if I put it up for sale. (There's no way I'd sell it for less than I can buy one just like it to replace it with for though)

 

[slowleak]

Drop your prices to about $200 for the 9.9 and they should sell

He said he's only asking $550 as it is?
A good viable 74 to 92 9.9hp should bring upwards of $1,000.
The sum of its parts is higher than what he's asking and its probably the most desireable portable motor ever made.

Between those and the 9.9hp 2001 to 2006 Mercury four strokes they likely make up more than half of all small motors on the water here.
The only freshwater lakes that allow gas motors have a 10hp max so they sold the crap out of both of them around here and its still all you see when you do see a boat out these days.

The four strokes though dont seem to last as long as the OMC two strokes and tend do wear out on heavy used boats but 'heavily used boats are few and far between. Most boaters here only get out a couple times a year at best. Two of my boats never left the yard last year or the year before. I chose to fish mostly saltwater so I only bothered to uncover one boat, It w as a cool wet spring and summer so I just left them pickled for future use.

Not many can afford a high dollar motor either. A buddy I fish with has run nothing but $50 junk motors for years, they stall, miss, sputter but so long as it moves the boat he don't care. He's also been known to just unclamp one that died and send it to the bottom too.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

I've found the same thing here lately. Its not a matter of price, its a matter of no one wanting a boat or motor. I've seen some really nice motors and boats listed for free for months with no takers. All last year the water was devoid of boats here. Freshwater fishing is dead, I've not seen anyone fishing any of the local ponds or rivers in a few years and most ramps have been left to grow over.
Bigger motors, 10hp and up are restricted to the river and in 5 times there last year I doubt if I saw more than 10 other boats all year counting jet skis.

Most of the boats on FB and CL have no papers. (How so many people end up with boats with no titles is insane).

There seems to be no interest in boating here at all lately. Even newer boats and motors won't sell. I bought a minty clean 2007 Honda 9,9hp tjat looked like it was never run which sat on SJ CL for two years first for $500, then $400, $350, and finally at $200. I got it for $100. The seller said they never got an email on it. They had inherited the thing on a stand as it was pictured from their grandfather who lived out of state. They hauled all his stuff back to Jersey and listed it on CL but said they ended up throwing most of it away after they got no takers.
I bought a 2006 Crown Vic off them too with 4,400 original miles that sat unsold just as long for $1,100. I drove it home. I put four new tires, and oil change, and a fresh battery in it and have $1,600 in what's pretty much a new car. The woman told me it didn't get a single email. The car is like new and the old guy kept a log of everything he did to the car including fill ups ad the last entry was from April of 2007 for its second oil change at the dealer.

Not every cheap car, truck of boat for sale is a scam. if you don't go look you will ever find the deals, I took the car to my other house where it sits in the garage. It'll see 100 or so miles per year at best now as a spare vehucle.

As a former mechanic I'd far rather have a clean older motor than a new one. They were bult better with better metal. The 35hp on my Mirrocraft is a 1978 Johnson, its every bit as good as it was when new and has never been rebuilt or needed any major repairs. A few sets of spark plugs, a few impellers and I reasealed the lower unit in 2001. It starts everytime and has always been reliable but running or not I'd guess that I likely couldn't get $500 for it if I put it up for sale. (There's no way I'd sell it for less than I can buy one just like it to replace it with for though)

what location did you say? I thought i saw something about PA. but up here in RI we have a massive saltwater boating community. limiting hp to 10 would kill any hopes of a vibrant used market id think because the 2 strokes just last so long as you mentioned. I will say the 2 stroke market in general isnt finished here yet, but there isnt the market it once was. In addition, If boat dealers arent scared of the economy now, they should be. huge tariff uncertainty the markets do not like!

 

[JimS123]

Old story. I even forgot that I had posted.

The bottom line is that today everyone wants a 4-stroke. Those that buy them don't care about the extra cost.

Sure, there is a big following for old 2-strokes, and they won't pay extra for a 4-stroke, but THEY won't pay big bucks for anything.

I don't do much with estate sales, nor auctions, but two years ago a boat buddy of mine told me about an upcoming auction. They had tools, household stuff and a couple of old cars. BUT, they also had a huge pile of outboards from some guys collection. I would guess 50 or more.

I anxiously went. It went on for hours. I even left to go get lunch because the motors were to be last. When they got to the motors the auctioneered said that there was a bid ahead for $XX per motor. So, it went fast. The starting bid for each motor was fixed. Some got bid on, some didn't. I ended up with 2 nice specimens. I would guess that 75% garnered no bids.

As I was collecting my trophies I asked the auctioneer who got the rest at the minimum bid and wholly mackerel, it was a friend of mine.

Bottom line.....put them up for auction. It will save you much time and no hassle. You can try to sell one at a time but it may take years and the rewards will not be much.

 

[retroroy]

The four stroke motors didn't get any attention either, not even those that were like new.

Every motor that I put fuel to so far has fired right up but there are no fuel tanks to sell. I have one fuel tank here and its out of my boat. There were a few old pressure tanks, two looked brand new but they only brought $30 on eBay do to the cost of shipping, (Around $30 by FedEx).
I had clean used pressure tanks sell for over $200 in the past.

3 gallon tanks brought more money than 6 gallon tanks and the 12 gallon tanks were unsellable. A couple plastic 3 gal. tanks sold for over $150 after being bid up. It made no sense because those can be had at the marina brand new for $55.

With the largest lake here being limited to a 10hp max I would have thought that the 9.9hp motors would have sold fast, or even the 15hp motors as the norm seems to be to run a 15hp with a 9.9hp cover.
The problem is what used to be a popular place to fish and boat has been dead for years. They expanded the parking area, added a new ramp and new docks back in 2010 or so when the place was always crowded but now there's no boats. Only a few here and there or old people with canoes.
The whole idea of boating and fishing seems to have died with a generation. What little was left seems to have died when they ckosed the ramps during 2020. The boat traffic never returned and the places are falling into disrepair.

The few people I dealt with have been old men in their 70's or 80's. most saw a post I put on a bulletin board at a local grocery store but that got me a ton of scam phone calls too trying to sell me solar panels or gutter guards.
eBay really isn't a good measure of what something is worth because of shipping costs. No one is going to pay anywhere near market value if they're looking at $400 in shipping on a $400 item.