Deciding whether or not to buy

[derock83]

Hi, im new to boating, and today stumbled across a boat in the area that im seeking some help on. I know thats a different subject, so i'll just stick to the powertrain. Its af "Evinrude 40." The boat is a 1969, and im assuming the motor is too. Whats the feeling on this? What can i expect? supposedly it just needs a solenoid to get going. Im about to finish college, on a somewhat tight budget, etc etc. He is asking 500 for the boat, motor and trailer. whats everones take on this? thanks a lot for your time!

 

[AJ168]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

Boats are bottomless pits that you continuously pour money into.<br />If possible, ask the guy if you can test the boat in the water. If it doesn't leak too much (most boats do leak at least a little) and the engine runs well, go for it. If something is wrong and you can either fix it yourself or can pay somebody to do it for you, $500 still isn't a bad price.

 

[alden135]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

Plan on spending another $500-$1000 after you buy it. Besides the obvious repairs, the little things add up quick. Boat/trailer registration, CG equipment, trailer work?, service manual, tune up parts, etc. I like my old motor but be prepared to spend additional $ on ANY boat. <br />If you do a search on electric or selectric shift you'll find a lot of info on troubleshooting. It may not be the solenoid. Good luck.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

Careful, there. Don't assume on that outboard. Those 40hp models were made for a lot of years.<br /><br />If you can get the model number off the transom mount, we can tell you what year. Also, find out if that 40hp is an electric shift or manual shift. The manual shift gives less trouble than the electric, and is way easier to fix. You can tell. If the outboard has a handle on the left side, facing the front of the outboard, it's a manual shift. If it has three buttons on the remote control unit, it's electric.<br /><br />Those Big Twins are excellent engines, but you need to hear it run, if possible, and I'd think twice about the electric shift version.

 

[JB]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

See my reply to your duplicate post in Boats.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

I bit of advice....From my own experience... if you have the time to fix it or the money to have someone else do it... then it really doesn't seem that far off.... How ever before you buy it I would suggest you run a search on my post's and read what I have gotten into... it's not bad, just alot of time.... and effort.. and struggles.. but the outcome will be great and I think that determination is enough all in it's own... <br /><br />If someone says "only a solenoid" thats keeping it from starting I take that as "just the starter" when you go to test drive a car... you can still buy it but you still don't know whats really wrong with it. If your serious about this combo then maybe replace the solenoid see if it runs.... a running engine will be alot easier to diagnos any probs then one that won't start and "it could be" a soleniod. I by no means do I want to turn you away from this at all.. Theres just something about buying things like this that I enjoy...cars, boats, campers, I've bought and done them all and they grow on you until you have no choice to get them going....It's determination. Might get lucky though and that be all it was... But remember one thing the help is out there.... This site has helped me alot and I know theres more to come....<br />If your determined and Really want to go for it then do... the outcome of hearing that kitten roar in the water is enough for me.... might not be the same for you though.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

Very easy to get it started by using jumper cables to bypass the solenoid - if in fact it is the solenoid that's the problem. Hook the jumper cables directly to the starter, then touch them to the battery. <br />If you can't hear it run or test drive it because of the "solenoid problem" then just show up at the guy's door with a garden hose, a trash can, and a set of jumper cables.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Deciding whether or not to buy

PS - If you haven't looked around on the Boat Restoration and Building forum then do so beforre you buy anything. Focus on "Transom" and "Stringer" and "Floor" posts.