another used Mercury question...

[TerryMSU]

Hello:

Still looking at used boats & motors. Here is a picture of one I am probably going to look at. He is not sure of the age. What can you all tell me? It is supposed to be late 70's. What is it worth? The boat is a 16 ft Starcraftof the same vintage. The restoration of both boat and motor appears to be quite good (at least in the pictures). He is asking $2200 (or best offer). That seems a little high to me given the age of the boat and motor.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: another used Mercury question...

Motor is in excellent condition visually...let's hope thats a sign of its mechanical condition.

Age though.... late 60's motor.... 1969 I'd guess by the color.

(35hp were available 1963 though 1969 , then not until 1984 through 1989. That's definitely older than 1984.)

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: another used Mercury question...

yep they both look pretty good !! Check compresion, on the motor , and soft spots in the floor , She looks sweet !!! John

 

[jbjennings]

Re: another used Mercury question...

I believe AMD's right, a '69 model--one of the prettiest color combos Merc came up with. That motor looks sharp, but the boat looks like it might be one used for saltwater. If that '69 merc has been in saltwater or even freshwater, the steel driveshaft might be a goner. Do you live near saltwater or is that a lake boat? If he let me run it a reasonable distance and then let me check the lower unit for water and it checked out good and ran good, I'd think that would be a good price if the boat was sound as well. Like they said, check the transom and floor--fiberglass work is NO FUN! Boy, that motor sure is good-looking, though!
JBJ

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: another used Mercury question...

Ditto, sweet looking prospect. Check the boat for soft spots and old/bad repairs, check the motor for compression, condition of wires under the cowl, and ask for a test run. If he balks, walk away...if she runs sweet, snap 'er up.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: another used Mercury question...

Thanks for all the input. I am quite comfortable with checking out the boat. I am less so with the motor. Living in Michigan it is most likely a freshwater boat and motor.

By the way, JB commented on fiberglass work. I agree, it is a pain. The hull is actually aluminum, which was one of the plus sides to this boat. I already have a bad fiberglass hull. Don't want another one, I want to mostly fish, not do boat/motor repairs. I can do the minor maintainance, I just don't want to get into major repairs.

As far as the motor, how long should it run before I check for a leaky lower? Will running in a barrel or on muffs show leakage? Before I buy it I will still want to see it run on the water. I can and will check compression and spark. I just figure, why waste time taking it to the water until everything else checks out as much as possible.

Terry

 

[DJ_Allatoona]

Re: another used Mercury question...

I wouldn't say that was a high price at all, if the conditions of both are as good as the photos suggest, even if you have to do some minor restoration. (Although a photo of the motor cover is hardly an indicator.) Does he include a trailer? And I wouldn't sweat the age of the hull too much. That aluminum is ageless. Start it, run it to warm, bounce all over the floor, and go with your gut. A good-lookin' vintage boat is much more appealing than some slick new cookie-cutter rig...to me, anyway. If/when you get it, I suggest replacing as many rubber parts as you can ASAP. Fuel lines, impeller, fuel pump membrane. Good luck.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: another used Mercury question...

Great motor. If it checks out for compression and keeps oil in the lower unit, it's worth investing some time and money into it to keep it going. I've got several of the 1960s 35s ('64, '67, '69 tiller). Points and condensers are still available, as are carb kit and waterpumps. Good luck!
- Scott

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: another used Mercury question...

Well apparently, the boat re-build is not quite what I would like. At first glance, it looks great. Unfortunately, it was rebuilt using the new pressure treated lumber (copper treating, if I recall). The would has no fiberglass wrapping around it. In addition, he apparently used aluminum pop rivets to hold the wood down. If I understand correctly, (from what I read on the re-build forum here on I-boats) the new wood should not be in contact with aluminum.

To bad... It is a sweet looking re-build other than that. So I am still looking.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: another used Mercury question...

hay terry where you at ?? go green go white !!! John