Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

[Dualie]

Need some major advice over here...

I want to sell my CC 204 Larson boat and buy the boat i really want. However, the outboard engine on the Larson is dead as of the end of this season.

Should I....

1) repower it with a used engine??
(i found a used 1989 Evinrude 175 hp engine with all controls, harness etc that I can buy and install for $1700)

OR

2) try to sell the hull only which is a 1991 center console, fiberglass Larson 20'4" DC, deep V, new dual batteries w/ switch, new cushions, VHF, Fishfinder and in really good shape.

What is the best option here? Please advise.

Thanks Dualie.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

It all depends on whether or not you can recover the $1700 spent on the replacement engine. Why bother if its a push. Sell the hull with the dead engine. If you buy the other engine, who knows what additional money you need to spend to get that one right. I realize this just gives you more to think about and doesn't answer your question. It's just not logical (at least to me) to spend $1700 to get $1700 back -- unless $1700 for that engine is a bargain. Does it make the boat more saleable -- that's another question. It may actually be more saleable without the engine since the new owner can put whatever engine he/she wants on it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

what's wrong with the current engine? is it a lost cause? if the engine is a 91 also would it be an asset to a potential buyer who is a wrench head. that's not an old engine. find out what you can about it and price the boat and motor accordingly, don't get greedy or you will still have it come spring. or pull the engine and part it out on ebay.

 

[Dualie]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

thanks silvertip and tashasdaddy.
i think you may be right. that could be $1700 ( the total is $700 for engine and $1000 to install) more to add for the boat that i want or if i decide to repower this boat..

i guess the real question is - would someone want to buy hull with no engine?

i have always heard to buy a used hull and a new engine.. but you never find such a thing. you are always buying a older problematic engine and putting $$ into it until it dies.

thanks for helping me think this through some more!

also, just to add the "dead" engine overheated this fall and the top piston is hosed. i don't want to spend the $$ to fix it, I would rather repower or buy the boat i really want. unfortunately, i must get rid of this boat before any newer boat comes along...

thanks again Dualie!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

price it for the hull, only, engine free, if they don't want the engine pull it off and part it out. some people don't want to be bothered pulling the engine.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

What would a boat of that size sell for in your area? Up here old boats still get good cash, because we run sweet water and the season is rather short...so boats hold up better.

If you are going to only get marginally more than the $1700 investment of suspect, questionable quality, don't do it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

$1000 to install an engine is a little pricey as well. If you know which end of a screwdriver to hold you can do it yourself. It's even easier if you don't have to change the controls.

 

[tmh]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

I would shine up the hull like crazy, get it perfectly clean then do as someone said - sell it with "engine free". Have pricing available so anyone who looks at it can have an idea how much a total re-power would cost. Use the engine only cost, let them figure out if it's a self-install or how much it will cost.

Basically, SHOW THEM why your hull, with a good, used engine is a better deal than a another boat with a "good" engine at a much higher cost. If you get a mechanically inclined looker, he'll go for it and know the final result will be just what he wants.

However, don't expect too much for the hull. Most of the value in older boats is the power. Buy I'd say you can price it better that way than after spending $1700 plus whatever to power it.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

You did not say what the estimate for repairs would be.

If you could repair the existing engine for $500.00 to $700.00 it may be a better gamble.

 

[DJ]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

Repower is absolutely necessary to get $$$ out of a rig.

Think this through. If you're a newbie, do you want a hull? No, you want a turn key rig. As long as it runs, and runs well-age/type has no bearing.

You're a boiat guy. Most are NOT.

Allot depends on the hull. If it were a pristine Whaler, yes you'll get your price. Anything else is just an island that you have to tow out to your spot..

 

[Solittle]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

Before you make a decision shop around for prices to get the existing engine fixed. You may find someone who is a bit "hungry" and if only one piston is shot it might not cost that much to get it runnin.

 

[Dualie]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

Great points everyone!!

Very true DWJ! just an island right now.

Never thought about shoppin around either. now that winter is coming i have plenty of time to think about it and do just that.

the cost to replace / repair at least one quote was in the neighborhood of $3500 to $4000. Basically a new powerhead. it overheated.

So, maybe the bigger question now is- should I buy new say a 150hp for $10-13K or look for a used in the late 90's or early 2000.. i found out that my wire harness and controls are able to accept up to a year 2004 Merc and below...

Dualie

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Need advice - Repower before I sell or sell with out power?

I'm with TMH on the process. And I agree that $1k seems insane for an outboard installation. Most people buying a boat of that age are going to know a little about what they are getting into, and many will be looking for a bargain that they can repower or fix themselves.

As far as repowering for yourself, a good used motor is probably the best deal, but how do you know if a used motor is good? If you're not a gearhead yourself, do you know how to check it out fully? I think I'd consider a good rebuilt option with a warranty. I don't know outboards very well, but I imagine there are dozens of rebuilders out there just like there are for inboards.