100+ outboards

[retroroy]

I just got asked to help cleanout the garage that belonged to a buddy of mine.
The family, who don't seem to share his love of boats and old cars asked me to help empty out his back yard garage/shop.
He hadn't worked in there since 2013 or so and has since passed.
He used to travel to the midwest to hunt, and he made a point of bringing back clean freshwater motors every year. He did that for decades.
I gave the place a quick once over and other than a lot of cob webs, its just as he left it back then. To get to the point, he had many outboards. He was the type of guy who once he got a good runing motor or had the chance to buy one he did and kept it. He always said he'd die with them. In trying to get a handle on the task at hand, which is roughly a 4 bay garage about 50x30ft. Its pretty full, I counted roughly 135 complete motors, and another 40 or so that he had apart or was working on. Most are smaller motors, 6 hp through 115hp. Most are under 40hp.
I intend to keep the 35hp OMC motors, those are coming home with me.
There's also a row of older Honda 100 and 75 motors, a half dozen Johnson/Erude 9.5hp, some Mercury Thunerbolt 400 twins, (early 70's)., a newer Mercy 115, probably 1995-97 or so. a bunch of 40/50/60hp OMC motors ranging from the late 70's to late 80's, and plenty more. Most are on their own stands, on wheels. I grabbed a few smaller motors and I mixed up some premix in a squirt bottle and gave a few a quick pull and every one I tried fired right up on a shot of fuel in the carb.
There's also a few Mariner four strokes, probably late 90's era motors, I think those are Yamaha built, and a few Honda 9.9 motors that were off his own boats.
There's also a room full of old motors, a few 45/50hp West Bend motors, a row of 15hp chrysler motors, a West Bend 20hp, (fired right up and pumped water), a row of Chrysler/Force 9.8/9.9 motors, all but one fired, the one that didn't didn't have any spark.
Then the walls are covered in cables and controls hanging from the walls. There's likely twice as many controls as motors.

Now my question is, how much would you ask for say one of those motors?
All likely will need fresh water pumps and fuel lines, none will be sold with fuel tanks, I think I only found two or three fuel tanks in all.

The bad part is I'll have to haul them home to sell them, his widow doesn't want strangers on the property there, which I understandable. They gave me till Nov. 15. to empty the place. I wish I could keep more of it but I don't have that kind of room at my house.
So what I'm looking at is likely bringing two or three home at a time and selling them off. The problem is I have no idea what to ask. I know roughly what he paid, but there's been absolutely no motors listed lately on CL here, new or old. FB is full of fake ads and scam listings so you can't go by those prices.

 

[JimS123]

Sounds like my "boathouse", though I don't have quite as many.

Contact the AOMCI and maybe post an ad. If there are any members in the area I'm sure they would come with cash in hand.

Note, though, that the market has slowed considerably. Not wortyh what they were a few years ago.

 

[slowleak]

The motors he described are newer than what most aroun my way would consider 'antique' outboards. I was out on the water this morning and I'd venture to guess that more than half the boats I saw was running a 1978-1992 Johnnyrude, even newer boats seem to be running that era of 2 strokes.
Quite a few actively search for just those year motors, myself included.
I've tried a few four strokes and newer motors but always have gone back to the tried and true 80's motors.

 

[mirrocraft16]

The motors he described are newer than what most aroun my way would consider 'antique' outboards. I was out on the water this morning and I'd venture to guess that more than half the boats I saw was running a 1978-1992 Johnnyrude, even newer boats seem to be running that era of 2 strokes.
Quite a few actively search for just those year motors, myself included.
I've tried a few four strokes and newer motors but always have gone back to the tried and true 80's motors.

I see the same thing everywhere I go. Larger boats tend to have big new four strokes, mostly Yamaha motors here, but every last smaller boat has an older two stroke. Four strokes just aren't affordable enough yet for most guys. Me included. As long as my 1978 35hp keeps running strong, I'm not changing it. Then if I need to replace it, I have a 1980 version sitting in the garage that I picked up off a junk boat that's in good shape too.
Even new or newer boats seem to be running older motors too.
Back in 2007 when I bought my then 7 year old Starcraft, it had only an electric trolling motor on it. Not being able to afford a shiny new four stroke, I found a super clean 1985 9.9hp Johnson for it. I did a 15hp conversion to it and its been on that boat ever since.
(When I first got the boat, I had hung a 9.9hp Mercury four stroke on it that a buddy brought me to service, I used my boat to test it out on the water. It ran okay but my 2 stroke would run circles around it and its simpler to work on. The 2 stroke is faster, easier to work on, and lighter. The added fuel and oil used by the 2 stroke is negligible at best.
Don't get me wrong small four strokes have their place if you can afford them but at over $2,400 now for even just a 9.9hp and closer to $3k for a 15hp, its not hard to see why two strokes are still so popular.

What is NOT popular here are the newer two strokes, particularly the Etech motors. They seem to have all but disappeared in recent years, especially with the demise of Evinrude and dealer support. There seemed to be a ton of them for sale cheap over the past couple years and now they're mostly gone here. Although they were or could be good motors, most private owners don't understand them and don't want a motor they can't diagnose and repair themselves, at home.

Used motors in general these days are hard to find, CL and FB rarely have anything for sale, there's always the few 'antique' motors, (40's, and 50's era motors), and the occasion electric shift motor, but good 9.9-50hp outboards are hard to find. Particularly a good two stroke. My cut off date for OMC is 1992 for most motors. In Mercury, maybe a bit later but I generally avoid Mercury unless I'm powering a boat that really should have had one.
My favorites in Mercury are the inline four cylinder 50hp, and the twin cylinder 40hp (Merc 400) models), and the big fours, up to about 1996-97 or so (115hp). The OMC V4 though is a motor that will never go away, I don't think you can go to any marina here and not see at least a half dozen of them being used daily.

 

[jhande]

Occasionally around here some outboards pop up on FB. The small HP one's list for a few hundred dollars. Once they hit the 9.9 HP they're over a thousand dollars. From a 50 HP and up they're thousands. Yes I'm talking about OLD 2 strokes. Most actually sell in a week or two.

 

[starcraftkid]

Occasionally around here some outboards pop up on FB. The small HP one's list for a few hundred dollars. Once they hit the 9.9 HP they're over a thousand dollars. From a 50 HP and up they're thousands. Yes I'm talking about OLD 2 strokes. Most actually sell in a week or two.

I'm seeing pretty much the same around here but lately used outboards are scarce, especially the more in-demand sizes. 9.9 and 15hp, 40/50hp, 115, and 150hp motors are all but gone from the local listings.
Two strokes are the norm, I see very few smaller four stroke motors, most are just too pricey for the average boater.
When I was looking for one two years ago all I found were motors in need of major repair. I ended up buying and fixing an older Yamaha four stroke from the mid 90's. (Bought it with two broken off spark plugs). Its a good motor but I still like my two strokes when it comes to covering large distances fast.
The four strokes though are much quieter and easier on the ears when on the water all day..

Most newer larger boats, those running 150hp or more are generally four stroke powered but older boats are nearly all 2 stroke, with most being Evinrude or older Yamaha powered. I see a Mercury once in a while but mostly older, 60's or 70's models.
Surprisingly Honda and Suzuki motors are rare here.
My favorite four stroke is an older Mariner from the mid 90's. The one hand operation and very quiet. Its pretty close in power and speed to my two stroke Yamaha and it burns half the fuel and doesn't require adding expensive two stroke oil

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

Sounds like my "boathouse", though I don't have quite as many.

Contact the AOMCI and maybe post an ad. If there are any members in the area I'm sure they would come with cash in hand.

Note, though, that the market has slowed considerably. Not wortyh what they were a few years ago.

I've noticed this slowdown as well. High fuel prices just make it worse, so everyone wants 4 strokes to boot. People asking ridiculous prices thinking the boating market is "hot" is another factor. sadly, most older 2 strokes will end up in the dump. which is where i will be waiting in the bushes

 

[retroroy]

They had an auctioneer come in over the weekend. All of the four stroke Mariners sold, they surprised me when all but one went over $2k, one 70s 6hp sold for $40, and two 115 Evinrudes brought $1,500. None of the Honda motors sold, all were 9.9hp. None of the other motors even got a bid despite most looking like they'd be running motors. Every one I checked out had perfect compression and good spark. We're not talking about a pile of junkyard motors, these were motors he bought and collected and used himself.
One guy at the auction kept trying to get them to auction off all the motors as one lot, after the auction he approached them and said he'd pay $200 for all the motors that were left. He gave them some bs about it being illegal to use 'those kind or motors'.
When it was all over they sold 7 metal fuel tanks, 11 motors, two steering kits, and a box of new boat trailer rollers. There was only 20 or 30 people and only half placed bids.
Two days afterwards they asked me if I could get them all out of there.
Its not what I wanted to see happen but if I didn't take them, I think they'd have called a scrap guy to haul them away.
Most all were on stands, so those I just rolled into my enclosed car trailer where they all sit right now. The rest I went back and loaded in an open landscape trailer. I've been sorting through those all week.
The list so far is:
9.9hp 4 strokes
2003 Mercury SS tiller
2004 Honda SS tiller (New prop, new carb, new water pump, cover rough, looks like it slid down the road) I found paint, decals and another unpainted cover for it on the shelf.
1995 Mercury SS tiller
1997 Mercury SS tiller
1994 Yamaha LS tiller
1999 Yamaha SS electric start remote.
1987? Honda 100 LS (7 of these)
1995 Mariner SS tiller (parts motor)
1985 Honda 75 (7.5hp LS tiller) 2 of

OMC
1974 Evinrude 9.9hp SS tiller
1977 Johnson 9.9hp LS tiller e start
1990 Evinrude 4hp SS, (runs but needs carb cleaned)
1979 Evinrude 15hp SS tiller
1981 Evrinrude 15hp SS tiller
1985 Johnson 15hp LS tiller
1986 Johnson 15hp LS tiller remote
1985 Johnson 30hp LS electric start remote.
1980 Johnson 35hp SS tiller
1979 Evrinrude 35hp SS tiller (no spark)
1979 Johnson 35hp LS e start remote.
1979 Evinrude 135hp 25" shaft (Lower unit is off good power head)
1981 Evinrude 35hp LS tiller
1981 Evinrude 90hp LS (Complete with mismatched lower unit)
1983 Johnson 115hp LS
1984 Johnson 35hp LS tiller
1985 Johnson 35hp LS tiller e start
1985 Johnson 70hp LS remote e start
1986 Evinrude 70hp LS remote e start (missing lower unit)
1989 Evinrude 50hp SS remote, (needs tilt cylinder).
1989 Tracker 40hp LS remote pwr t/t, (low comp on lower cyl)
1990 Evrinrude 110 LS remote (Clean)
older
1954 Johnson 25hp SS tiller (broken tiller, works but folds too far upward)
1956 Johnson 18hp (parts, stuck with broken shift lever).
1959 40 Gale LS e start
1960 Evinrude 40hp, (Looks nearly new)
1962 Gale 15hp SS (Looks like an 18hp power head?)
1963 Johnson 3hp SS
1965 Evinrude 33hp LS
1965 Johnson 33hp LS
1971 Evinrude 25hp SS
1975 Johnson 25hp SS
1975 Johnson 25hp LS
1976 Evrinrude 25hp SS
1974 Johnson 40hp LS rope and e start tiller remote
1974 Evinrude 40hp LS rope start
1966 Johnson 9.5 SS
1969 Johnson 9.5 SS
1971 Evinrude 9.5 SS
1972 Evinrude 9.5 SS
1972 Evinrude 9.5 LS
1974 Johnson 6hp SS
1977 Johnson 6hp SS (super clean but has broken av plate)
1979 Johnson 6hp LS

Chrysler/West Bend/Wards/Sears/Force
1965 West Bend 45hp SS
1967 Chrysler 50hp LS e start
1967 Chrysler 20hp SS tiller (Clean, runs but is missing a hood emblem)
1971 Sea King 9.8hp SS
1972 Sea King 20hp SS
1974 Sea King 25hp SS
1975 Chrysler 15hp SS e Start tiller (two of these
1975 Chrysler 12hp Sailboat motor (two of these, both lower units are rough looking but both power heads check out fine.
1985 Force 15hp SS tiller
1986 Force 15hp SS tiller (no spark on one cylinder)
1987 Force 9.9hp SS tiller
1992 Force 9.9hp SS tiller, (new in box missing lower unit)
1992 Force 15hp SS tiller (new in box)
1994 Gamefisher 9.9hp SS tiller, (new in box but missing hood and prop)
1996 Sears 9.9hp SS tiller (looks almost new)
Mercury
1964 Mercury 4hp SS tiller (single cyl).
1976 Mercury 400 LS e start (very very clean, started right up)
1977 Mercury 350 LS tiller (Marked "Parts")
1981 Mercury 400 LS e start remote
1983 Mercury 40hp LS rope start
1996 Mercury 115hp 25" shaft runs, (water pump is weak, steering cable end stuck in tube)
The rest I've not gotten around to,
There's another 60 or so that look really good but I didn't have time to really get a good look at.
I checked compression and spark on those above, and other than those marked parts, are certainly viable motors.
Unfortunately they sold all the pressure tanks and most of the controls for the remote motors.
There's also 15 tubs of new 9.9hp /15hp OMC parts and tools.
Plus boxes of misc carbs, coils, and other small parts and four dozen motors which are apart or partially stripped.
There is also 31 Minn Kota trolling motors, most are 3hp models from the 80's that look almost new, a few 28lb thrust models, a pair of Riptide saltwater motors, and one bow mount Minn Kota 35.
His garage is two and half cars wide, three deep, and its full.
I also found a half dozen power tilt units from 80's OMC V4 motors, spare carbs, misc new OMC pistons for 33hp and 40hp,

I grabbed the short shaft 33hp tiller motor off one stand, hung it on my 14ft Starcraft and took it out for a ride this morning. (I also took the little Merc 4hp and 3gal tank just in case. The 33hp ran great, it took 8 pulls to get it going at first but it now starts second pull from a cold start. The little 4hp Keikhaefer Merc '40' 4hp ran good too.

From what I'm seeing in completed eBay sales, none of this stuff is selling at all. The fact that they ran several individual ads for the newer motors and the auction I'm thinking its probably worth more as scrap.

On the water this morning I passed only three boats in 12 miles up and back on the river. One was a commercial work boat, another was an old Ski King with a vintage 65hp Mercury, and one Jon boat with a Force 9.9hp on it.
The ramp was empty. Something I don't think I've ever seen before especially at 6am on a clear day in June. The test run and a few hours of fishing burned about 4 gallons of 50:1 mixed gas. I probably burned double that driving my truck and boat to the ramp though. I was home by 11am.

My general impression is that most of these were motors he fixed up to use himself and just let sit.
Since most impellers are of unknown age, and the carbs have been sitting for years, I'd say that every last motor should have the carbs gone through and a new water pump impeller regardless of whether they're working now or not. The older motors should have new coils, as they're a known point of failure, again, regardless of whether they work now or not.
None are museum pieces, all are used motors with the exception of a few still in their boxes, but those are missing parts here and there, but there are plenty of used parts to make them complete.
I built two long racks to hang the smaller motors on, I ripped down a couple of telephone poles and faced them with 3/4" plywood on the back with legs every four feet but right now my trailer, shed, and garage is full. Any that I sell have to go in reverse order of how they were put in there. The larger motors are on their own stands on wheels, those under 10hp were on racks he had built attached to the block walls in his garage. (I'm surprised they didn't pull the wall down).

 

[jbcurt00]

Fellas, please remember theres no swap, trade, used or for sale section @ iBoats forum

 

[retroroy]

My intent here wasn't to sell them here but to find out what the best way to list them would be and basically what they should be worth . I'm more looking for opinions or values and what others would do with them all.

 

[reelfishin]

Occasionally around here some outboards pop up on FB. The small HP one's list for a few hundred dollars. Once they hit the 9.9 HP they're over a thousand dollars. From a 50 HP and up they're thousands. Yes I'm talking about OLD 2 strokes. Most actually sell in a week or two.

This is pretty much the case where I'm at too, under 10hp can be a tough sell here, the super light, 2 to 4 hp motors sometimes sell to guys with canoes but that's a limited market and they usually have to be turn key to sell. Most of that crowd doesn't seem to be the type to tinker and fix things.
5 and 6hp OMC motors have a following, most that I've sold went to duck hunters or guys buying their kids their first motor. They depend on condition, a clean short shaft tiller will bring $200-$400 to someone who needs it.
Keep in mind that a new 6hp motor is going to run between $1,400 and $1,800 and its going to be a much heavier imported 4 stroke. From experience, small four strokes don't make good 'portable' motors since most need to be carried only in one position when laid down to prevent the oil from running out or getting where it don't belong. I had a guy with a 4hp Nissan the other day that was locked up after it leaked all the oil into the intake somehow after he carried it on the wrong side on a trip, The oil migrated into the intake and then above the piston hydro-locking the engine. He in turn ripped the cord off the recoil starter trying to force it.
I figured in that case the cord breaking was what saved it, if it had started there was little oil left in the crankcase, and he would have either bent a piston rod or broke the piston with enough tries and enough force.
He never noticed the oil puddle in the carpet in the back of his SUV either.

9.9hp to 35hp motors are likely the most in demand motors, both in two and four strokes, but I see a resurgence of two strokes lately.
They're lighter, easier to work on, and if maintained properly last seemingly forever. (I've been running a 9.5hp Evinrude now since the early 80's on my 14ft boat, its one of the most compact and simplest motors ever made. It was probably the best $600 I ever spent on a used motor.

I find that the 9.9-15hp motors are the most sell able mainly due to hp restrictions on many lakes. They are by far the most common small outboard and most in demand. the 1976 to 1991 OMC motors are the best sellers, rarely bringing less than $400 for a fixer upper motor with strong compression.
The aftermarket also covers these motors very well even though the 'youngest' of them is over 30 years old now. I suspect we will still be running these motors for as long as there's fuel to run them on. The low profile OMC motors will likely always be the fisherman's first choice for years to come.

I'd group used motors in a few ways:

Turn key, (meaning its got a new w/p impeller, new spark plugs, and a fresh carb overhaul)
Depending on HP or size, these bring top dollar. Generally as much as half the cost of any new motor, a bit more for newer four strokes.

Viable - any motor with a good compression, no major cosmetic damage, and a good lower unit that's not full of water. These generally just need a w/p impeller, maybe a thermostat, and a carb kit to be turn key. Older motors may need new points and coils as well. In other words, they need basic maintenance items to be done to be back on the water.
These bring a bit less, depending on the buyer and how capable he is in most cases. Most guys who mess with outboards have no issues with rebuilding a carb and replacing a w/p. Its part of owning a boat and not being able to afford a new one every year or two.
For me, I migrate toward this type of motor, mainly since I prefer to have done the work myself. Regardless of what a seller tells me, I'm going to stick a new impeller in it and open up the carb and have a look.

Fixer upper - A complete motor, maybe needing a lower unit, or missing minor parts, or needing non major repairs, the power head is still good, it may not have perfect compression but will run a few more seasons with some basic maintenance. These may need the lower unit resealed, may need ignition repairs, etc. These are generally what I'd call a 'winter project motor'.
These are the bargain basement motors, often they've been left outdoors for years, or may have dried up old seals, or maybe some bad wiring to deal with. But for the most part are solid motors.
Most motors in this category will be anywhere from a few hundred bucks to maybe $600 or so for a larger, more desirable size motor.


Parts motor - Can have bad compression, bad or missing lower unit, possibly stuck power head with at least some salvageable parts still on it.
basically any motor that's not worth bringing back to turn key condition.
This is the kind of motor you either put out in the back shed for spare parts or strip it and scrap what you can't use.
In most cases the unused parts are best off sold online or shelved so long as you own the same model motor and may need them in the future.

 

[retroroy]

......................
.......................

Turn key, (meaning its got a new w/p impeller, new spark plugs, and a fresh carb overhaul)
Depending on HP or size, these bring top dollar. Generally as much as half the cost of any new motor, a bit more for newer four strokes.

Viable - any motor with a good compression, no major cosmetic damage, and a good lower unit that's not full of water. These generally just need a w/p impeller, maybe a thermostat, and a carb kit to be turn key. Older motors may need new points and coils as well. In other words, they need basic maintenance items to be done to be back on the water.
These bring a bit less, depending on the buyer and how capable he is in most cases. Most guys who mess with outboards have no issues with rebuilding a carb and replacing a w/p. Its part of owning a boat and not being able to afford a new one every year or two.
For me, I migrate toward this type of motor, mainly since I prefer to have done the work myself. Regardless of what a seller tells me, I'm going to stick a new impeller in it and open up the carb and have a look.

Fixer upper - A complete motor, maybe needing a lower unit, or missing minor parts, or needing non major repairs, the power head is still good, it may not have perfect compression but will run a few more seasons with some basic maintenance. These may need the lower unit resealed, may need ignition repairs, etc. These are generally what I'd call a 'winter project motor'.
These are the bargain basement motors, often they've been left outdoors for years, or may have dried up old seals, or maybe some bad wiring to deal with. But for the most part are solid motors.
Most motors in this category will be anywhere from a few hundred bucks to maybe $600 or so for a larger, more desirable size motor.

Parts motor - Can have bad compression, bad or missing lower unit, possibly stuck power head with at least some salvageable parts still on it.
basically any motor that's not worth bringing back to turn key condition.
This is the kind of motor you either put out in the back shed for spare parts or strip it and scrap what you can't use.
In most cases the unused parts are best off sold online or shelved so long as you own the same model motor and may need them in the future.

This more or less what I was looking for.
It makes a lot of sense.
I think most of these motors fall into the Viable category, with most likely being gone through and gotten running a number of years ago then let sit after he got sick. I do know he would fog most of them when he put them up but have no clue which one's were done this way and which one's were just left be.
All were kept indoors and with most being from lake areas in PA, not many, if any at all have ever seen saltwater. He fished a local river and one local lake, but most local ponds don't allow gas motors, thus all the trolling motors he had.
He never owned one of anything, he had a dozen cars, five pickups, two campers, a hundred stereos, etc. He liked having a back up plan I guess.

The majority of the motors are mid sized, 25 to 70hp.
I run 35hp OMC motors, so those are staying, as may one or two smaller motors but so far I really don't see any way to advertise used motors these days. CL and FB are dead, I think I could list a pound of 20's for a buck and not get a reply there. I've seen some really hot items just sit for months on end with no takers. Just last week I bought a new in the box Riptide 55lb thrust trolling motor for $25, it was listed there for over a month, I couldn't believe it was still available when I finally called. It lists for around $440 new and was still in the box with all its tags on it. How that didn't sell is beyond me. It was some woman who's husband had passed away last fall and she was trying to clean out his stuff so she could sell the house and move. I ended up buying a trunk load of fishing tacle as well.

The local newspapers are all but dead, no one gets newspapers anymore, they stopped delivering here about 8 years ago now, and even then there was nothing worth seeing in the classifieds even then. All the free 'shopper' papers have gone out of business, they've been gone now for several years.
We used to have a free paper that got handed out in all the stores but thats gone now too.

eBay requires shipping, so the right answer I see there is to part all these out. From what I see there, the lower units are likely worth more than the motor as a whole, plus all the rest of the parts. I'd hate to do that though, these are good motors that can still be put to use. I'd feel differently if they were old beat up junk that had been in the saltwater for decades.

What I see with most of these is a bunch of motors that likely never saw much use, he bought motors from lake areas up in PA, and chances are they never did much but run around a few small ponds a few times a year and get put away for the winter. They likely have very little 'run time' or running wear on them.

 

[mirrocraft16]

I was helping a buddy look for a good used motor for his boat this weekend and there's definitely a shortage of good used affordable motors. When I say affordable I mean anything that doesn't require a bank loan.
He's been looking for a reliable two stroke for a 16ft open boat that he mainly uses to fish and crab out of. CL and FB has almost nothing that doesn't need major work or that's priced higher than it sold for new. The marina's have nothing. There's a few 'restored' 80's motors for sale but he's not looking for 'restored, he just wants one that runs that doesn't have the prop or skeg ground off it, or a lower unit full of water. We looked at a few real nice 9.9 4strk motors but he needs a bit more motor, and being an older boat, it really can't handle a heavy four stroke on a short transom unless he wants something small. The boat is rated for 50hp, but there were none for sale within a reasonable distance. The old motor, an 80's 25hp Mercury was done, salt was eaten the block and lower unit to the point its not worth messing with. (He bought it that way). Even so he had no problem selling that motor for $1,200. I almost fell over when he told the buyer $1200 and he just handed over the cash glad to have it. The buyer said its no big deal, its nothing a little JB weld won't fix. Maybe he should have kept it and run it till he found something better? He's in his 80's and goes out alone, my thoughts were that he doesn't need to get stranded over some salt eaten old motor when he can afford better.


I like the rating system above, it makes good sense and is pretty much how I look at used outboards.
So long as its a sound motor and lower unit, without corrosion and with good compression, the rest is all minor and mostly just maintenance.
As time goes on, and my motors get older and I see some of the motors and issues friends are having with their newer motors, many of which will likely never make it as far as half of the motors I've owned or still own, I favor the old OMC motors even more now.
Whether my thoughts are correct or not, the latest OMC I'll mess with is 1991/92, the newest Mercury/Mariner I'll take is around 1996 or so in a two stroke and maybe as far as the first generation of Tohatsu and Yamaha built 4 strokes in the smaller motors.
I've had a few small Force/Gamefisher/Chrysler motors, they're ok but they had some oddball ignition issues in the late 80's and early 90's in the small motors, so there's a few years to avoid unless your willing to either convert back to points or convert to the newer Mercury style ignition from the later Mercury sold models.
Even still, with the cost of outboards only climbing, and there being such a shortage lately of good used motors, a list like that is gold mine. I wish someone would give me even a few dozen free motors.

 

[reelfishin]

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.

 

[retroroy]

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.

That's probably how most will end up but from what I see there. There has been very few boat parts sold lately, eBay numbers are way down. There's a few big hits but not really enough to make me tear apart a bunch of motors in the hopes it all sells for more than its worth whole.
The neighbors all had a big yardsale on Sunday, but not many people showed up. Only a dozen or so total and no one even looked at the motors I put out or the table full of tools.

I really figured there would be more people looking to jump on a clean four stroke 10hp motor, or any of the smaller motors but all people were hearing were "do you have video games or Nike sneakers"?

 

[crackedglass]

This is pretty much the case where I'm at too, under 10hp can be a tough sell here, the super light, 2 to 4 hp motors sometimes sell to guys with canoes but that's a limited market and they usually have to be turn key to sell. Most of that crowd doesn't seem to be the type to tinker and fix things.
5 and 6hp OMC motors have a following, most that I've sold went to duck hunters or guys buying their kids their first motor. They depend on condition, a clean short shaft tiller will bring $200-$400 to someone who needs it.
Keep in mind that a new 6hp motor is going to run between $1,400 and $1,800 and its going to be a much heavier imported 4 stroke. From experience, small four strokes don't make good 'portable' motors since most need to be carried only in one position when laid down to prevent the oil from running out or getting where it don't belong. I had a guy with a 4hp Nissan the other day that was locked up after it leaked all the oil into the intake somehow after he carried it on the wrong side on a trip, The oil migrated into the intake and then above the piston hydro-locking the engine. He in turn ripped the cord off the recoil starter trying to force it.
I figured in that case the cord breaking was what saved it, if it had started there was little oil left in the crankcase, and he would have either bent a piston rod or broke the piston with enough tries and enough force.
He never noticed the oil puddle in the carpet in the back of his SUV either.

9.9hp to 35hp motors are likely the most in demand motors, both in two and four strokes, but I see a resurgence of two strokes lately.
They're lighter, easier to work on, and if maintained properly last seemingly forever. (I've been running a 9.5hp Evinrude now since the early 80's on my 14ft boat, its one of the most compact and simplest motors ever made. It was probably the best $600 I ever spent on a used motor.

I find that the 9.9-15hp motors are the most sell able mainly due to hp restrictions on many lakes. They are by far the most common small outboard and most in demand. the 1976 to 1991 OMC motors are the best sellers, rarely bringing less than $400 for a fixer upper motor with strong compression.
The aftermarket also covers these motors very well even though the 'youngest' of them is over 30 years old now. I suspect we will still be running these motors for as long as there's fuel to run them on. The low profile OMC motors will likely always be the fisherman's first choice for years to come.

I'd group used motors in a few ways:

Turn key, (meaning its got a new w/p impeller, new spark plugs, and a fresh carb overhaul)
Depending on HP or size, these bring top dollar. Generally as much as half the cost of any new motor, a bit more for newer four strokes.

Viable - any motor with a good compression, no major cosmetic damage, and a good lower unit that's not full of water. These generally just need a w/p impeller, maybe a thermostat, and a carb kit to be turn key. Older motors may need new points and coils as well. In other words, they need basic maintenance items to be done to be back on the water.
These bring a bit less, depending on the buyer and how capable he is in most cases. Most guys who mess with outboards have no issues with rebuilding a carb and replacing a w/p. Its part of owning a boat and not being able to afford a new one every year or two.
For me, I migrate toward this type of motor, mainly since I prefer to have done the work myself. Regardless of what a seller tells me, I'm going to stick a new impeller in it and open up the carb and have a look.

Fixer upper - A complete motor, maybe needing a lower unit, or missing minor parts, or needing non major repairs, the power head is still good, it may not have perfect compression but will run a few more seasons with some basic maintenance. These may need the lower unit resealed, may need ignition repairs, etc. These are generally what I'd call a 'winter project motor'.
These are the bargain basement motors, often they've been left outdoors for years, or may have dried up old seals, or maybe some bad wiring to deal with. But for the most part are solid motors.
Most motors in this category will be anywhere from a few hundred bucks to maybe $600 or so for a larger, more desirable size motor.


Parts motor - Can have bad compression, bad or missing lower unit, possibly stuck power head with at least some salvageable parts still on it.
basically any motor that's not worth bringing back to turn key condition.
This is the kind of motor you either put out in the back shed for spare parts or strip it and scrap what you can't use.
In most cases the unused parts are best off sold online or shelved so long as you own the same model motor and may need them in the future.

I like this idea, its fits most of the motors I see.
I'd ad though that anyone buying a motor that's less than perfect had best know something about doing basic maintenance and repairs on an outboard. I was at a dealer today to get some parts and the sign said $175/hr if they sold it, $200 if its was bought elsewhere. Take a crusty salted up old outboard in for a water pump and a few stuck bolts could really cost you in the end. They were fighting with getting the lower unit off a newer Yamaha when I was there.

 

[slowleak]

My neighbor just sold a 1970's 9.9hp short shaft tiller motor he had outback in his shed for decades for $600, it likely was a motor that could be made to run with some basic maintenance but it didn't last a day chained to a tree in front of his house.
It seems more stuff here sells that way then through the internet.
I get guys stopping all the time wanting to buy my boat or trailers but if I list something on CL all I hear is crickets.

9.9/15hp, 18hp, and 25hp OMC tiller motors are hot sellers, they likely always will be. Four stroke sell but only if they're super cheap. Most have older boats and the few pounds of added weight keeps them running the older motors.
Out of all my buddies who fish, my 1999 Starcraft is likely the newest boat in the bunch. Most guys have their first boats, a few are using their grandfather's boats or motors. Most run a 9.9hp everywhere because of one restricted lake in the area. Many are 15hp motors either rebadged or converted from 9.9hp models. Personally I think the 9.9 versions run better but not quite a fast.

Those smaller OMC motors are and likely will become worth a lot more as money gets tighter these days. I see very few folks who can afford or would even consider buying a new motor. They do their own work, so they prefer a two stroke for their simplicity and light weight, me included.
Your best bet may be to take a load of them at a time to various fisherman's fleamarkets or look for fishing forums or boating forums with for sale sections. If they were mine, I'd likely pick out a half dozen or so to keep and then sell off the rest starting with those your least likely to use first. Unload the older, or larger motors first, then the whole lot of them will seem less of daunting when you have nothing but motors that can be moved by hand.

 

[JimS123]

It just occurred to me that all these discussions may be moot points. With the govmnt controlling our lives, 2-strokes may very well be outlawed. It has happened already in some areas.

But wait!, there's more.....If the current theme continues, ALL gas engines might go away.

Hows about we start lookin fur lectrics to run our boats!!!

 

[slowleak]

It just occurred to me that all these discussions may be moot points. With the govmnt controlling our lives, 2-strokes may very well be outlawed. It has happened already in some areas.

But wait!, there's more.....If the current theme continues, ALL gas engines might go away.

Hows about we start lookin fur lectrics to run our boats!!!

They've been saying that for 25 years now. Then the direct injected 2 strokes came out, and in the end only a small handful of lakes actually banned 2 strokes, none around me that I know off have banned specifically two strokes but nearly all freshwater in NJ requires electric power only, and has for the last 50 or so years. There are only a few larger lakes and the rivers that allow gas motors, one or two have 10hp limits but since those lakes are badly contaminated, I don't bother anyway. I run the largest motor I can hang on my boat all the time.
I fish mostly in the rivers here, I have no interest in the fish in the small stagnate ponds here. The bigger fish are out in the deeper water further downstream in the river and back bays.

 

[mirrocraft16]

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.