'56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

[Chad_B]

Hello,

I recently became the owner of a 1956 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp outboard, overhauled last summer, 0 hours since overhaul..Runs like new. Starts on 1st or 2nd pull, usually first. I have the matching Johnson tank, w/ lines and fittings. My grandfather owned this motor for 40 years; he always had the same shop, owned by a personal friend of his, do the work on it. I have the latest reciept, dated July '08, showing the work done during the overhaul. I am not kidding when I say it runs like new. If I had a boat, I'd use this motor, but I do not. Therefore, I am looking to sell it. I've checked craigslist, and prices are all over the place, but I settled on a $300 asking price. I have the motor on a stand, in a barrel of water, so it can be run. I admit, to going out to the garage, and starting it, just for the glee effect of seeing and engine as old as my mom run like that, plus I just dig 2 strokes in general.

Here's my question...The motor runs top notch..Cosmetically, it could use some help; Nothing is broken, but the paint is original and looks it. What's it worth? Would I be better off putting it on Ebay?

If it helps, here's the CL link: http://http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/1308890567.html

What do you think?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

you are asking a reasonable price for it. i would not take less. the tanks are in the $70-100 range alone. agree cosmetically it stinks. but do not repaint it. that looks like you are trying to hide something. you really ought to buy a 12-14 ft tinny and keep it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

I'm with TD...get a small craft, keep the motor and use it. If that's not an option and you want to make sure it finds a good home, check the chapters listed on this site: www.aomci.org
There may be a local chapter/enthusiast that will buy it and appreciate it. The value is entirely subjective...it's only worth what a potential buyer is willing to pay for it on that particular day.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

ya poursonally i feel that price would be to low for my outboard. but what ever floats ur boats. ya i mean good side its cheaper then a new outboard but its just less fuel effieceint and mroe oil only down side i feel. maitenence it good on it as long as u run it least so the gas dont go bad. but other then that maybe gear oil before freeze? impeller every 2 years i guess?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

The price is a fair one, however, since your grandfather owned it for 40 years and kept it in great shape, I feel confident that you will later regret that sale.
Personally, I'd really and truly give $5000 for a motor that my grandfather had for 40 years. However, he had 5 children during the depression and never could afford an outboard. The only thing I own of his is the aluminum hardhat that he wore when he worked on a drilling rig. My father got his model 12 winchester 16gauge shotgun and had it restored to new condition about 25 years ago since he dropped it in the lake duck hunting and got it all rusted solid. It looks and works like new now. I dont know how much it's worth but when I get it one day I know that noone will ever be able to afford it.
Keep that motor!
JBJ

 

[Chad_B]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

Thanks for the replies.

As far as the sentimental factor, my 'ol granddad doesn't go there. He GAVE me this motor, and told me to sell it. He knows, that since I've been laid off alot, I could use the money. I have a 1954 Schwinn Phantom bicycle that he also gave me, that he restored himself, that I'm NOT getting rid of.

As far as this motor, I really have no use for it. I don't own a boat, and if I did, it would certainly be large enouh to handle the open water of Lake Erie, which I live less than 2 miles from. That rules out 12-14 foot boats which this little 10 horse motor would be happy pushing around. Anyway, I'm selling the motor, for $300, to a co worker of mine who lives on a smaller lake, Belleville Lake (that's an inland lake, about 6 miles across, just south of Detroit)..He's going to put it on his pontoon boat.

Anyway, I hear my layoffs are over (I work for Ford) and my wife is working making decent money, so maybe a boat IS in our future. I know you can get killer deals on slightly used boats these days.

 

[Blade_Link]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

my QD 13 is worth 800-1000 to a collector so id definatly check up on your price i run mine and love mine and wont give it up i have had ppl ask me to buy it already lol ive only had it running for 2 weeks

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

my QD 13 is worth 800-1000 to a collector so id definatly check up on your price i run mine and love mine and wont give it up i have had ppl ask me to buy it already lol ive only had it running for 2 weeks

If you find someone that will give you that, you really would be wise to take it!
There's lots of '50s motors out there. There's probably a '55 7.5 evinrude in every other garage in certain areas. THey're great motors and I love 'em, but I'd be kidding myself if I ever thought I'd make any money on them. Run them and enjoy them!
JBJ

 

[Chad_B]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

$800-$1000 for a 13 horse notor is nonsense. I mean, it's just stupid. Nobody in their right mind would pay that for a 13 horse motor. I've grown up near Lake Erie, I grew up around boats, and I know what folks will pay for OLD outboards. Even if they're overhauled, people think, ****, this thing is 50 years old, how long can I depend on it, out on the water? I remember, 8 years old, at the tiller of my dad's 25 hp Mariner..It had enough grunt to get my dad's 18 foot open aluminim boat's bow up. I knew enough, even then, that if that open water got too choppy, it was time to head back in. But as long as we could, we trolled, using Hot 'n Tot lures, and caught all the walleye we could.

If we were unlucky, and caught some ****fish like a sheephead, Man would my dad get mad. He'd beat that damned fish bloody, and throw it back. Nothing like, fighting a fish, thinking you've a got a walleye or a largemouth
bass on the other end, and getting a damned sheephead. That's stuff I'll neve forget.

Another thing we used to do, is take or poles and reels down to the breakwall. My buddy and I would sit there all night, leaving our hooks on the bottom, I hoped we'd snag a big carp or catfish. You could SEE them, dark shadows swimmig around. When we caught one, we'd yank so hard on the line, to try and rip the lips of the fish off. It was great fun...This was before I discovered alcohol. Ahh, childhod.

 

[mafhuntfish]

Re: '56 Johnson Seahorse 10 hp, runs like new, but what's it worth?

1st - A QD 13 is not a 13 hp - It's a 10hp like your QD 17 only an earlier model.

2nd - Value is what the market is willing to pay for any given item. I also live within 3 miles of Lake Erie and have been around boats & motors all of my life. The best thing about this area is the fact that most motors last way longer in good condition because of the shortened boating season. When I get a complaint about the price of an outboard I'm selling - I tell them to go price a new one & get back to me. 9 out of 10 times I make the sale. All of the outboards I sell have been gone through, serviced, and come with a guarantee to run good when it's purchased.

3rd - Referring to actions of those on this board as being "stupid" or "out of their mind" isn't going to fly. I personally would love to see someone offer me $800 for one of my QD's, but that's not going to happen. I don't restore my outboards back to mint because most of my customers don't care if the motor is in mint condition. They just want a good, dependable outboard for a decent price.

FISH ON!!