I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

[BonairII]

I'm trying to choose between 2 different used boat deals. The Green boat has an older 35hp Bigtwin and is $750 bucks boat/motor/trailer

The white MFG boat has what looks to be a newer 40hp Evinrude(anyone know the model?) and is $600 for boat and motor/trailer.

Both sellers say that motors run VERY well. Seller of the Bigtwin says he just went thru whole motor and also rebuilt carb.

The Green boat looks nicer, but the blue Evinrude looks much newer.

If it were you (assuming both run well)....which is the better deal?

 

[Monte1961]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Well seeing the one over the water and seeing the one on the trailer, I would choose the one over the water. But Then again I wouldn,t buy Ither one in till i had a chance to go for a ride just to make sure it's in good condition. But thats just me! Good luck and let us know what you chose?

 

[dazk14]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Well...Without remotely enough info to make an informed decision... I'll bite playing "Pig at a poke".

Both motors are ancient - the 35HP 1958'ish, the 40 1963'ish. Both were reliable runners, so condition, condition, condition.

Do both boats have solid transoms and floors? Obviously there are MANY more items to check.

That said - given that the green boat is on a lift - that would be my pig at a poke...

Anyone that perfectionist oriented, probably can't help themselves but to always maintain and service their rig.

 

[BonairII]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Obviously, I'll do as much testing as I can before I purchase. BUT, I can only look at one of the boats. The green boat looks better aesthetically, but the motor looks MUCH older than the blue Evinrude.

That's my dilemma. It'll cost me $200 more (in price and gas) to buy the green one and I don't want to buy a better looking boat and forgo a better motor(assuming the blue one is actually a better motor)

I dont' know what the heck to do. It would be a 5-6 round trip to try and look at both boats. And then I'd need to drive back another day to pick one of the up with a truck. Yuck!

 

[lindy46]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

That's a beautiful Glasspar - Looks like a 1962 14' Marathon, which is identical to the boat I had back in the 60's. Only mine was blue on white. If you don't want it, I do!! Where is it located?

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

looks to me like the green boat owner took pride in his ride and looked after it....sunday driver I`d say.....other looked like it took some serious use and owner wasn`t too worried about it.......I`d go green ....good luck !

 

[lindy46]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Oh, by the way, that motor is a 1957 BigTwin - great old motor. I just spent the last 3 days working on one for a guy who is restoring the motor and a 1957 Wolverine Wagemaker tinny - motor looks much better on the tinny than on that Glasspar. Thought I'd mention, my Glasspar had a 40hp Evinrude on it and it was sort of underpowered - so we dropped a 60hp on it which made a big difference.

 

[mstahl1171]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I vote for the Glaspar, either mother with a little tlc should be a good running motor. Just my 2 cents

 

[AlTn]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

that glasspar is one nice looking boat...put my vote in that column

 

[nwcove]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

id be lookin at the total package, do you want a solid boat with a questionable motor? do you want a solid motor with a questionable boat? the key to the deal....in my humble opinion is the powerplant....testdrive, check compression and test drive. (if i had the cash, id buy both and sell one motor/one boat...at a small profit to help with making what you keep work right!?)

 

[my05hammer]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I am no expert on boats, in fact I am not even a novice yet cause I haven't even gotten my first boat fixed yet to get it on the water. But assuming that both motors run well... I like the green boat better. It looks nicer and better cared for. With a little TLC you could have the best looking retro-boat on the water wherever you go.

 

[BonairII]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I def like the green one. So both motors are within a few years of each other? I was def wondering if the 35hp was enough to power the Glasspar.
The Glasspar comes with water skis and a few other things, so it must've been able to pull skiers. I'm def leaning toward the Glaspar. I was actually hoping that the blue Evinrude was a hugely better motor, but I guess that are both older motors.

I guess if the 35 hp ends up being underpowered....I can always sell it and buy another motor.

 

[watergecko]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Go with the older motor/glaspar boat. Even though the motor is older, in my opinion, it was built better. I got a garage full of oldie but goodies, in my experience the 50's were better on the whole than the 60's. And no i didnt grow up in the 50's, i came around in the 70's. Do a test run or compression check/spark check. And dribble a little gear oil out. Should give you an idea.

And why is there a mercury tank on the other boat???? Booo!

 

[BonairII]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Seller sent me a few more pics.

I'm 100% sure about this boat. Money is wicked tight so I've had to jump thru hoops to come up with the cash...that's why I was contemplating the $600 boat option.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

HEre's my opinion:

The only major difference between the '57 bigtwin and the '65 or so bigtwin, is about 5 horsepower and a few years. THe mechanicals of both motors are about the same. So don't think you'd of been getting some great advance in technology with the "newer" one, unless you count the fiberglass quieter cowl as a big advance. The '57 is a good motor, if the clutch dog and gear ears are good. I also LOVE the glaspar, although I agree it might like a larger motor. I'd be wary of the transom on the glaspar. Nothing catches my eye as bad, I just know how old fiberglass boats are.
GOod luck,
JBJ

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I think the old Glasspar with the '57 is a great choice. One of my favorite motors. The other boat is nice and has a nice motor too though. Like others have said, check the motors over good. Check compression and gear oil. The rest is easily replaceable. The old green Glasspar looks like it's seen a good caring life. Personally, I think that 35 will move that boat nicely. It's rated for about that size of motor anyhow. Anything bigger would tear it up.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I vote for the older glaspar too. It looks cool and seems to be a bit more intact. Keep us posted.

 

[lindy46]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

I think the old Glasspar with the '57 is a great choice. One of my favorite motors. The other boat is nice and has a nice motor too though. Like others have said, check the motors over good. Check compression and gear oil. The rest is easily replaceable. The old green Glasspar looks like it's seen a good caring life. Personally, I think that 35 will move that boat nicely. It's rated for about that size of motor anyhow. Anything bigger would tear it up.

Nah - she'll handle a 60hp nicely. That's what we put on ours and it was fine. Just make sure the transom is ok - may need redoing, being that old. Our boat was only 2 years old when we put the 60hp on it. Seems like she was rated for up to 75hp. With the 40hp, she went about 30-33mph and with the 60hp she'd go about 40mph. With that 35hp, that boat should do about 28-30mph, assuming it's a 14' Marathon. By the way, those rear seat backs are original upholstery, you you can use them as a template if you want to restore the seats to original. Also, if the windshield is original, it is tempered glass, and not plexiglas.

 

[BonairII]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

Talked to seller. He does live on the water (launch is a mile or so away, I guess). Going to take it for a spin before I purchase. I'm also going to buy a compression tester. What compression number is acceptable(assuming both cylinders are w/in 10% of each other)

 

[kfa4303]

Re: I've got to choose between 2 used Evinrude motors. Which is the better bargain?

anything over 70-75psi should be good. I think the max is around 120psi-ish. Like you said, it's just as important that they're fairly close to each other, so you don't have one strong cylinder and one weak one. I think you can get a comp. tester from Harbor Freight for about $20. Good luck. Keep us posted.