value of non running outboards

[Andy in NY]

Well, I never ever thought I would see the day where I have a garage full of outboards, but now the wife is nagging.

I have 3 right now, 1 came with the boat as a parts motor when I bought it, the other 2 i bought from a guy who claimed they were running, but hadnt moved from where they were in a few years... so I bought them for $50 thinking I might be able to turn them around (and I drove 2 hours to get there, I didn't want to go home empty handed! )

So what I have is a 72 evinrude 50 hp 2 cyl with elec shift, no controls. Turns over by hand and is in good physical condition. Then, a 1959 johnson 50 hp sea horse with controls, but the cables are bad. The third is an early 60's (not sure of exact year) johnson 50 hp sea horse with no controls. All of them have aluminim props with them.

I had a guy offer me $40 for all 3 to sell for scrap.

Would somewhere like ebay be worth it for me to sell these? If so, how much could I expect to fetch for a complete but non running motor? Personally, I like the looks of the johnsons, and was thinking that someone restoring an old boat might be interested, but even when I search ebay I dont see any.

What are your opinions?

 

[JB]

Re: value of non running outboards

I would give eBay and craigslist a try. Parts engines are in some demand and people will buy them for future needs. . . just like you did.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: value of non running outboards

Also, I forgot to mention that I have a prop that I took off the '73 rude that came on the boat that I had a brand new hub put in... was like $40 just for that. Would someone be willing to pay $50 or so for an aluminum prop that is in good shape?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: value of non running outboards

Lots of folks sell parts from outboards like that and junk the rest. Lower units, cowlings, carbs, starters, flywheels, and even powerheads...all sorts of easily-shipped pieces from outboards are pretty good sellers on ebay.

Unless you live in a major metro area, selling complete large-horsepower outboards on ebay doesn't work that well. Shipping is the problem. Sold as individual parts, it's not a problem.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: value of non running outboards

Also, I forgot to mention that I have a prop that I took off the '73 rude that came on the boat that I had a brand new hub put in... was like $40 just for that. Would someone be willing to pay $50 or so for an aluminum prop that is in good shape?

I just paid $70 for a used but in VG condition for a used aluminum prop for my 90 hp Merc on ebay. So the answer is yes!!
You could start the bidding at your $50 price and may be surprised where it goes from there.

 

[matt2002]

Re: value of non running outboards

I would part them out and sell them on Ebay.You could also see if you could sell the whole motors to a outboard junk yard.There's one I know of in Patchogue , Long Island and another one in Connecticut that might be interested but that would be a long drive for you because I think you're Upstate NY.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: value of non running outboards

I like the craiglist thing. Parting them out on ebay would be good too, but I personally did not have a good experience on my one try selling on ebay(scammers). Craigslist is free and you can post pics on there free too. I'd give it a try before ebay, although parting it out you'd get much better prices on ebay. Craigslist would be a good, easy way to get rid of them the "quickie" way.
Just my opinion,
JBJ

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: value of non running outboards

Hold up a minute there, Andy. If you sell those engines you won't be able to go out into your garage during the winter months with a beer and sit down next to them, just stare at them for a long while and occasionally talk to them. That could make for a really long winter season. (Not that I would ever just sit in my garage and stare at my boat or anything like that.) Don't make any rash moves there mate. Better think this one through.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: value of non running outboards

what i have done in the past, i broke the motors down, power head, lower unit, mid section, cowl, i put them on in one auction with pictures of the different, units, with pictures. told the people to contact me, via ebay message, as to what part they wanted, i had already price them in the body or the description. when they contacted me, i put a single item listing in for the part. and gave them the listing number, and they bought it there. i then deleted the item for the original listing. i have done this twice, and sold every part or 2 motors.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: value of non running outboards

Hold up a minute there, Andy. If you sell those engines you won't be able to go out into your garage during the winter months with a beer and sit down next to them, just stare at them for a long while and occasionally talk to them. That could make for a really long winter season. (Not that I would ever just sit in my garage and stare at my boat or anything like that.) Don't make any rash moves there mate. Better think this one through.

Well, to put it into perspective, we own a "fixxer upper" house. That keeps me pretty busy! Although this past winter I had my boat stored in my buddies barn and there were a few friday nights where I stopped by and just sat in it for a while, sat in the drivers seat making motor noises and bouncing up and down...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: value of non running outboards

"sat in the drivers seat making motor noises and bouncing up and down."

i do that for several days to a week, before i ever start a restore project. once the big picture is decided, then i break down to little projects. of course and adult beverage helps with the planning.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: value of non running outboards

I'd definitely part them out if you aren't planning on using them. You will be quite surprised at what you get out of them. Break them down in smaller pieces as well and it makes shipping easier. Scrap the remains that don't sell after a couple tries.
Craigslist if fine but you won't get what an auction will bring. CL just don't get the national coverage and even if you do, I'd be skeptical of a long distance sale there with all the scams going.
Good pics and thorough descriptions are the ticket too. Let the bidder know what their buying. I've parted out many motors and haven't scrapped much at all. A few older mid sections and rough tin but thats it.