(updated. RUNS GREAT)got a good deal 70hp Johnson OB

[Challenger84]

I am meeting up a local seller tomorrow night for a 70hp Johnson OB in great working order, with impellers just changed.

Is this a good buy and should I go for it?
I already have a 70hp Johnson and they are great OB's.
Also can I use this as my kicker motor? I have a 16' bow-rider with a 70hp Johnson on it now.
So would using (2) 70hp OB be alright? One for kicker and one for main use.
Thanks

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal?

Re: Is $300 a good deal?

forgot to mention it's a mid to late 80' model

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Doesn't sound to bad. a bit much for a kicker.

Ill trade you a 4hp for it! (a 4hp would be a kicker)

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Would it be okay to use both at the same time? Or is that just too crazy of an idea?
If possible what other things would I need to make this work.
I plan on putting on my kicker motor mount.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

But you already own a 70 hp and say its a great outboard,
so what are you asking?

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

But you already own a 70 hp and say its a great outboard,
so what are you asking?

What I'm asking is are these OB worth it? What would be a good deal because I don't know the value for this OB.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

It is an excellent deal if it is in good working order. If it is not then it becomes a spares motor for parting out or an expensive motor if you have to put hundreds of dollars into it.
Certainly don't suggest a 70hp kicker though.
My 2 cents.

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

What about putting both OB's on my boat and run them as a Twin OB setup?
My boat is rated for 115hp max.
Since they are older motors the ob's probably produce less hp.
Let's say 60hp each.. for a total of120hp
I don't know if that would work and has anyone else done this?
Link?

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

you have to go by the advertised hp of the motor... so if it says 115, thats 115 advertised, not actual.

twin 70s on a 115 rated boat is a BAD IDEA. a 70 for a "kicker" is a BAD IDEA. you will be carrying around 250 lbs of extra weight. get a 6-15 hp for a kicker.

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Thanks for the replies.
I was just thinking..
Well I think I'm gonna get the ob and put it on another boat.
I'll look for a boat online with no motor and drop this one in(or mount it onto the transom).

What if I had twin 60hp or 55hp ob's would that work?
I kinda like the idea of having twin outboards.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Thanks for the replies.
I was just thinking..
Well I think I'm gonna get the ob and put it on another boat.
I'll look for a boat online with no motor and drop this one in(or mount it onto the transom).

What if I had twin 60hp or 55hp ob's would that work?
I kinda like the idea of having twin outboards.

its been done by a few people around here. the problems would be weight... you would have almost half the weight with a 115 than you would with 2 60's... and you may have an issue with it wanting to pull to starboard pretty hard unless the port motor was counter rotating.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

twin outboards isnt for the novice.....especially the set up and rigging..

it way way beyond just bolting it on the back of your boat!!!

and youd need a counter rotating motor in the mix as well( maybe you could swap out a lower unit)....

and I think it is a great deal if it runs good

bob

 

[keller346]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

You can always find a good hull and sometimes with controls just needing a motor. I would do that and then turn around and sell it for more. I have seen hulls around my area either free or around 200.


That would be your best bet.

 

[chevinrude]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

the transom probably couldnt handle the weight... I've learned the hard way

As for that being a good buy... If it runs good, then go for it. You have a spare motor or as keller346 stated, find a hull to throw it on and make some money!!

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Sweet ! thanks for all the advice.

I will pick it up and find a decent hull.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Sweet ! thanks for all the advice.

I will pick it up and find a decent hull.

Good luck with that one.... Go take a look at some of the threads in the boat restoration/building section.

Keep in mind you'll need a controller, cables, steering system, wheel, battery & cables, and misc hardware to make that 'free hull' usable with your outboard.
Then lets add in transom, stingers, deck, fiberglass, carpet, seats, registration, trailer, tires, lights, more registration, bunks, carpet, bunk brackets, hardware, and safety chains.
Want gauges in the boat? or a bulge pump? add in a couple more hundred.
Dont even get me started on paint.

...still think flipping boats is cost effective?


Get an aluminum boat. A LOT less work

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Yeah I thought about trying to flip a boat and it will be a little hard to make any money.

Well if I can't find a decent hull to put her on, I'll have a nice spare OB for when my OB craps out. I know that I will always be one the water and ready to fish anytime!
Maybe sell it and/or trade it for a really nice kicker motor.
Or I can sell both my 70hp Johnny's and get one 115hp OB.
That would be ideal.

 

[chevinrude]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Good luck with that one.... Go take a look at some of the threads in the boat restoration/building section.

Keep in mind you'll need a controller, cables, steering system, wheel, battery & cables, and misc hardware to make that 'free hull' usable with your outboard.
Then lets add in transom, stingers, deck, fiberglass, carpet, seats, registration, trailer, tires, lights, more registration, bunks, carpet, bunk brackets, hardware, and safety chains.
Want gauges in the boat? or a bulge pump? add in a couple more hundred.
Dont even get me started on paint.

...still think flipping boats is cost effective?


Get an aluminum boat. A LOT less work

You can find a hull with a non-working engine (usually the reason people sell/give away their boats), and swap out OB (with some work, obviously). Then you have some minor fixes, or as much as you choose to do in order to make it sellable.

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Well I picked up the ob and wow! I took off the hood to do a compression test and this thing is almost new! All the wires plugs nuts bolts screws have no sign of age! Comp test shows 145psi on all three cylinders!
It also came with a recent recipe from the marina with the work done to it! New spark plugs ,new impeller, all new lube carbs cleaned and it was water tested as well! The bill came out to over $550!
It also came with a brand new prop. Right out the box!
Man I can't believe the deal I got!
I will try and start her up soon and get back with the results.
Thanks everyone for the advice and input.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Re: Is $300 a good deal? 70hp Johnson OB?

Good Luck with everything.