15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

[nightstalker]

Guy wants to sell me a 1977, 15 HP Johnson for $75. It does fire up, but the head is warped, lower unit has a crack and a hole the size of a golf ball in it because he left it outside laying on it's side over the winter and water froze inside and blew a hole in her. Thing used to run real good a few years ago when I fished with him, but he does no maintainience what so ever. I'm sure the lower unit oil, plugs, impeller, etc. have never been changed. What do you think?
Nightstalker

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

give him $50 for the power head, you've got a lot to do to make it dependable again. donor lower unit, head milled of replaced. who knows what else, with no maintenance.

 

[BF]

Re: 15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

unless you've already got another similar one, and you're buying it for some spare parts (gearset etc), I'd pass. With a warped head (= overheated), the whole powerhead is suspect, lower unit is housing is toast... bad from top to bottom.

maybe he's a good guy to fish with, but don't buy his stuff!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

I'd snap it up. Around here you cant find a parts 9.9 or 15 for anything close to that. But you will need lots of parts to get it running or use it for parts when you find another better 9.9 or 15. Even 1 LU gear is worth more than the asking price if they are still ok.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

It's a supply and demand thing as well. What else is available for what price and in what condition. Yard sales are a good source of "not used anymore" marine equipment around here, especially at this time of year when folk have been tripping over stuff all winter in their houses or garages. I lost a 4hp Johnson twin (running) for $50 last spring as I had to go and get cash and someone else snapped it up while I was gone. I now carry at least $100 when I go to yard sales.

 

[PW2]

Re: 15 HP Johnny in rough shape, worth $75?

It depends on what you plan to do with it.

If you plan on replacing necessary parts thru the dealer, you'll probably have $2k+ invested before you're done.

If you're willing to scavenge for parts and are patient, you might come up with a decent motor at a reasonable cost.

There may well be enough salvagable and saleable parts that you could more than make up your investment.

What may be a foolish waste of money to one person may be a bargain to another.