Old outboard sob story....

[jbjennings]

Well,
As some of you may know I've been on the prowl for an old OMC 25hp from the 50's, in particular, a '51 johnson. On the way to a lodge meeting last Thurs. night, I again noticed an alum. boat with a black motor on the back no more than 3 miles from my house in someone's yard that I had seen for several days. Recognizing that the hideously painted engine was actually a '51 25hp johnson, I made up my mind to stop one day and ask about it. It had no for sale sign on it but Sat. I stopped by and asked about it just to see if it might be for sale. It had been sold earlier that same day! The guy said it ran good. Depression and a deep feeling of stupidity has set in...... I didn't have the heart to ask him how much it was sold for, especially since it wasn't any of my business but I have reason to believe it was very cheap. I'm totally disgusted and thought it might ease my pain to share my story about the "one that got away" with SamOtt and others that might be interested.
Merry Christmas,
JBJ

 

[maxum247]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

Yeah, know what you mean! Had an old 54, 15hp Johnson, caught a weak moment and sold it to a friend. Man I still miss that motor!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

man, i've sold so many i miss, i can't count. missed so many i wanted, lack of funding at the time. it's life, in the boating world.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

Head held high, searching for that next find!

Merry Christmas to All!

 

[pduquette]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

Pray Mrs Clause picked it up for her santa!!
Merry Christmass to all!!!!

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

I'm in the same boat as TD was in at times.....No funding to purchase the boat or motor that I happen to spot either on the internet or in somebodies yard. I know where there is one sitting right now, been sitting there for years, must be in the mid 50's to no later then the mid 60's. Pretty decent size engine on the back of it, the hull I would assume would be a project from h**, and it is sitting on a trailer, but I can't ask because I don't have the money. I passed up (2) 15HP Evinrudes on the internet on an auction site (not ebay), that I could of gotten real cheap, oh it makes me sick. I need one 15HP to 25HP to put on my one boat. A mid (90's if not newer) 225HP Mercury on the same site went for $690, I would of bought it just to fix it up and sell it or part it out if it wasn't worth it.

The motor I have running now (still got to install a new impeller) is a 1978 85HP Evinrude. I bought it, a ski boat, and trailer for $450 and the lady originally was asking $600. I sold the 1957 35HP Johnson that wasn't running for $200, I wished I hadn't of sold it. I know where there are 2 just like it sitting right across the road but I can't get them because I don't have the money. I'm afraid I might lose my chance on those motors because my uncle might back out on selling them. Then I know where there is another boat sitting at that is well worth the money. I also know where 2 other boats are sitting at on a camp ground been sitting there for years, but the owner of the camp ground doesn't know who to contact in order to get a price for them. I have been watching Ebay also, I don't know why, I guess to see what deals I'm missing out on, I always search ebay for sales that are close to where I live. As we all know there are a bunch of good deals out there right now.

 

[cc67]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

There is a guy north of town that had an 63 18hp Evinrude on a 14' boat in his front yard for years. I see him just about every day but I never asked him if he wanted to sell that motor. A few months ago it was gone and when I finally asked him about it he said he had been trying to sell it for a long time. I still kick myself in the arse for letting that one get away.

 

[JB]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

Hmmmmm.

Reminds me of the pristine 1959 Mercedes Benz 300SL roadster I failed to buy in 1964. . .for $4600, and the 1965 Bearcat 55 I turned down for $200 just a few years later.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

aww..sad..
another 51 will come along....

we all have one of those stories it seems.
Around 1999/2000, I could've bought a mint 454/4 spd 73 Chevelle SS with 13,000 original miles for around $9K . The last SS

The guy that did buy it, just sold it again for a lot more.... I'm guessing around $45K, although the price wasn't disclosed.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

Well, I feel a little better after hearing I'm not the only person to not act quickly enough or otherwise miss out on a good deal. The Chevelle story was particularly interesting since recently sold my '68 chevelle malibu I personally restored to pay off some bills. I had a little left over and wisely spent it buying a few old outboards as you've prob. noticed. That old chevelle was causing too much temptation anyway since it attracted too much attn. from the ladies. I do miss it, but wasn't enjoying it that much 'cause I was constantly stressed out about chipping or dinging the paint every time I drove it. I do wish I could have gotten that darned '51 but you know how sometimes it's better to want than to get. I do love to hear other's sob stories and the sweet deal stories as well. By the way, I've a better chance of getting struck by lightning than of Mrs. Clause getting me a boat motor!
Later,
JBJ

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

By the way, I've a better chance of getting struck by lightning than of Mrs. Clause getting me a boat motor!

JBJ

I feel your pain there Ill probably get a new sweater

 

[woodduck17]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

He who hesitates is lost.......

 

[ward cleaver]

Re: Old outboard sob story....

I have found that it is fun to buy and sell outboards, boats and trailers. If you have the time, you really don't need that much money to get started. You do need a decent size market though.

Talking with sellers is a hoot sometimes. Oh, the stories they tell. But if you know the market and make sure you can sell what you buy for 40% profit without doing anything but cleaning it up, you can work your way up. When you start fixing etc risk goes way up, specially when you don't really know what you're doing. If you can stand the risk, the reward can be much more than 40%. I play it safe. All my current stuff is from profit I have made in three years of fooling around.

One thing though, I always ask how much a seller got. Very good info on actual sale instead of an inflated asking price. And I've found its pretty easy to tell when they are stretching the truth. Wonder why they do that? My number one criteria for buying: how much can you trust the seller.