Sold my Force!

[Mark42]

Sold the 85 hp the other day.

What surprised and sort of frustrated me was I went to great pains to build a rolling motor stand to store the motor on over the winter, and be able to show perspective buyers that it runs come spring. It took time to build and planning.

So, after all of that effort, the buyer comes, looks at the motor, and makes me an offer. Doesn't ask to hear it run, even though I offered to start it a few times. Gives me 1/3 down in cash and says he will be back next week.

Huh? I should have just dropped the motor on the ground, wrapped a chain around the cavitation plate and dragged it off to the shed with the tractor! As they say, "the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry... "

Oh well. I tried.

But the up side is I don't have to store it, fog it, and worry about what might happen over the winter, (mice, rodents, etc). And I got some cash to spend on the boat! LOL!

 

[beckspop]

Re: Sold my Force!

Congrats...They say it takes all kinds to make the world go round! If it's any consult I also built a stand, then less than a month after moving out I went back to get the 2nd load of my stuff out of the garage and the Ex had "lost" it....including the 150lb mariner 60hp that was on it! oh well, hard come/easy go...

 

[michwolf]

Re: Sold my Force!

Well,a motor that was obviously taken care of,complete with a custom stand,makes a great first impression to a buyer.I've bought 2 or 3 outboards without hearing them run,for a decent chunk of change.I had to buy them before the next guy showed up.You can always tell when a seller takes pride/care in their equipment.And they are usually very honest people.At least in my experiences.
On the other hand,I've looked at motors laying down on their sides,sometimes on pallets,sometimes on the bare ground,with the owner saying,"yeah,she ran like a top last time I had her out.You should'nt have any problem with it".If I wanna gamble,I'll play the lottery,me thinks!

Great job Admiral!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Sold my Force!

Saw an add on Craigslist.85hp Force runs good.Called about it and the guy says it's all there but he's having trouble finding the carbs(took them off to rebuild).No problem as I was looking for the trim/tilt and powerhead and the stainless prop.
I drive 1 and 1/2 hr this thing has set behind the garage for YEARS.
They had drug it out and let it set so I could pick it up by myself.
I got to poking around and removed the cover.
It looked like it had been dunked in salt water.CORROSION out the !#@#$
There was water in the crank case.NO WAY this was gonna ever run again.
Turns out it went through a flood.
Call and told him what I thought of his RUNs GOOD motor and went home.
He actually relisted it on Craigslist.I contacted Craigslist and they removed the add.J

 

[Benz Mondi]

Re: Sold my Force!

Mark42,

Sorry to see you leave the Force Club. I do want to thank you for the Tell-Tale post you started. As a new boat owner and Force user, I found your thread to be very timely. It was the first upgrade that I installed and it works like a champ. Because I'm a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy, I'm also installing water temp and pressure gauges among.

Thanks again,

Al

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Sold my Force!

Mark what did you replace the Force with? You have to keep us posted on the results of the difference.
That bad Force reputation stuff is still something that eludes me given my experience with my own, hopefully you take away the same positive view?...or not?..
all Good
BP

 

[Goneflyin]

Re: Sold my Force!

I had a 90hp Force I put on craigslist this summer and 1st caller took it, he did do a compression chk. I was surprised I got half a dozen calls on the motor. A 90hp I6 Mariner that I've had since new replaced the Force.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Sold my Force!

Mark what did you replace the Force with? You have to keep us posted on the results of the difference.
That bad Force reputation stuff is still something that eludes me given my experience with my own, hopefully you take away the same positive view?...or not?..
all Good
BP

Went with a 2003 90hp Johnson. Just had to have that power trim and tilt. This thread has some details:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=441523

 

[i386]

Re: Sold my Force!

Hah! Good riddance to that motor. It was all I could do to keep from loosening the screws on my Chrysler and kicking it off into the lake on Sat. I hope the Johnson serves you well!