1973 Mercury 50HP Thunderbolt 2 Stroke

[zippy83]

Hi All... I am getting ready to sell my boat and motor but where I'm getting stuck is the value of the outboard. I'm not joking when I say this but this outboard turns on the dime don't matter how long it has been sitting. I just had it sitting for 6 months due to this COVID crap and turned on the first try yesterday (no choke required).. However given it's age I have no idea what price to put on it. The reason for selling is I am getting a bigger boat for the family... This outboard and boat have been in my garage for the past 10 years and I have maintained it every year. I am running a 1650 deep V Lowe year 1992 and it pushes it about 31 mp/h.. If this was a 25HP motor I would have kept it for my kicker motor (for the new boat)

What do you guys think?
Thanks
Zipp

 

[Chris1956]

Zipp, the motor is worth zip. Sorry, not zip, but the price will need to be real low.

Not many will buy a 44 year old motor.

 

[zippy83]

how much would you pay for one?

 

[The Force power]

It would be worth "something" to someone with a motor from those years for parts. ($50 to $100)

 

[Up to My Ears in Fiberglass]

Hi Zipp,

Wow - zip to $100 - tough crowd, eh? I’m a bit more optimistic, with the caveat that you need to realize that you won’t sell it immediately. I agree that crowds of people aren’t lining up to buy these old motors, but buyers do exist. Anyone restoring a boat of that era who would cringe at the thought of seeing a modern motor hanging off the back is a potential buyer.

Now, as for the price - I agree with the above, that a parts motor (i.e. inoperable) would be fairly priced at $100. Irrespective of its age, your motor still gets a boat across the lake at 30mph (and does it well!) - surely we can all agree that’s worth more than $100! A nice set of oars will cost nearly that!!

There was recently a similar motor that looked VERY clean listed on a popular online auction site for $1500. It closed without a buyer. Relisted, same result. Relisted again, and there was a buyer! But then it was relisted again (first guy didn’t follow through). Just closed again with a buyer a couple days ago.. will he pay? Who knows.

Also worth mentioning - parts motors may go for $100, but known working parts (individually) bring considerably more. Lower units sell fairly quickly for $300, a pair of carbs $100, switch box $75-300 depending on model - that’s just the easily removed and shipped stuff that comes to mind

TL/DR: If it runs AND looks really nice (clean, wax, polish) offer it at $1250, be willing to negotiate down to $900. If it runs great but looks just average, offer at $850 settle for $500-750 depending on condition. Ability to demonstrate the motor (preferably on boat in water) will be important.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
-John

 

[BWR1953]

What John said is spot on. Clean it up real nice and demo on the water if you can.

 

[ranger42]

Getting any real help on I boats is rare