Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

[Skydiver Scott]

m looking to replace a 85HP Force motor on my boat with the following from Craigslist:

"80HP Mercury Outboard with Hydraulic Lift and Power trim. Oil injected, 2 cycle, Long shaft, very low hours, sitting for the last 11 Years (Winterized) due to fiberglass on boat had issues and family illness. Comes with controls and two nice Mercury 6.5 Gallon tanks. Purchased in 1988, found the paperwork and manuals, comes with a propeller. Has red, silver, white and black trim

Can run with water hook up and compression test if you'd like
It is a three cylinder engine. Just put new NGK plugs, and Mercury fuel line from tank to motor with bulb."

I am not exactly sure what to ask but it seems that everything is there and he is looking for $1999 for the set up. IS that a good value for that age engine? I am not the most boat literate but I get along probably know enough to just be dangerous. The noted engine is older but they seem to have a good reputation and I am guessing it would be easier to get maintenance on and might put out some more power than my 85HP Force.. this would go onto a 87 Bayliner Capri BowRider that is in good shape. I cant see spending 7K on a new engine with this boat. I would get a newer boat for that price if I was going that route...

Any thought would be appreciated...

Scott

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

Its a good engine, however I would wonder about a couple of things. If it was sitting for 11 years, did he replace the impeller before firing it up again? I went and looked at a 65HP a few years back and the owner fired it up dry to show me at ran. That was enough to convince me to walk away. Where was it stored? indoors or out? There are a ton of good deals out there right now. Is your old motor toast? Perhaps you could buy a decent boat with a great motor, swap them out and recoup part of your money. My02

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

Ask for serial number. then check it as being a 1988, sounds right. as he letting you check compression, cool. DO IT.
Ask. If you can crack the lower end to check for water.
2 thousand seems a little bit steep.
have you checked on the prices of that motor?
Remmember you are the buyer, the guy with the money, don't be afraid of asking questions. Buyer be ware.

 

[latin monkey]

Re: Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

if it was freshly rebuilt that price would be ok but imo, way too much money for that motor

 

[Skydiver Scott]

Re: Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

Thanks for the info.... I will have to think about the answers so far. As for my motor it actually runs pretty good and the only Issue I have run into is a power loss last weekend. Though last weekend I had the boat VERY full with some extra people and it was a bit much for the motor maybe. It ran like a champ getting pushed relatively hard till the last day and after about an hour of pulling the tube and people it started to loose power then would come back after a split second. Never died.. Took it in and sat for about 30 mins... Always starts like a champ and after sitting it ran like a champ again with out issue with a lighter load, i.e. less people plus no tube to pull.. The only running issue I have really had was this last weekend and it was being run harder with the towing and weight of people then I had ever done in the past. It just got me thinking about the bad words I hear on the FORCE, which I have not had an issue with, and made me think it was time to look at a switch before I have a real issue.

I am also guessing a '87 85HP Force might not be putting out 85HP by todays standard and I cant justify a new $7K engine on the hull, even though I like it... I can get a nice boat for that 7K.. I have seen a number of boats with Merc 3.0 and 4.3L with Alpha One outdrives from 5 to 10K that would be a big step up in power and probably in the fun I am having as well.. Just thinking that 2K would be easier to digest with my wallet...

Also I cant seem to find, or apparantly IO am not looking in the right places for used motors. they seem to be very hard to find... Even iBoats has really nothing buyt new motors in teh motor section.. Any suggestions on that would be helpful as well.

I will be a little leary on this unit it seems from the few responses and I wil ahve to ask some more questions.

Thanks for the responses so far, this site has been great!

Scott

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Looking at Used 80HP Mercury Outboard

I'm not sure where you live, but Craigslist has a ton of great deals right now. Just follow the checking-out process and you'll get yourself a good motor.