My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

[petriw]

I have a 15 1/2 footer with an 1989 80 horse Merc. on it and I have operated it that way for 2 years. I bought it that way. I didn't check until later and then found out that it is only rated at 65 horsepower. I want to get this boat to where it is supposed to be. My question is what will fit on my transom where the 80 horse was?

What is a good 80 Merc worth? Please don't point to Nada for value. That is a joke imho. I will have to sell it first before I can get what I want. I am leaning towards a 60 / 70 Yamaha.

Your opinions would be appreciated.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

If your Merc is in top shape - meaning no damage, good compressions, recent replacement of key components, etc., I would think you could get as much as $2,000 for it. My opinion is based upon having gone through a 1972 Johnson 65hp that was in very good mechanical shape to begin with. By the time I sent it to the OMC/BRP dealer to get the basic items done (water pump, carb rebuild & adjustments, link/sync, new fuel pump, new rectifier, etc.), plus the ignition compnents that I replaced myself, I ended up with a couple of grand in the motor. Your sales point would be that a potential buyer most likely will not have to do much to the Merc.

That said, if your goal is to get within the boat's HP rating, why would you consider a Yammy 70hp, which exceeds it?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

Your motor is worth $5:00 but I will give you $10
Send it to me immediately !!! LOL
Bottom line is that your motor is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. Giving a test run with it showing it is firing on all cylinders, picks up well pumps cooling water well etc will get you max dollar for it as the buyer sees what they are getting.

Johnnyrude 60hp would most likely suit you fine.

Good Luck.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

If your Merc is in top shape - meaning no damage, good compressions, recent replacement of key components, etc., I would think you could get as much as $2,000 for it. My opinion is based upon having gone through a 1972 Johnson 65hp that was in very good mechanical shape to begin with. By the time I sent it to the OMC/BRP dealer to get the basic items done (water pump, carb rebuild & adjustments, link/sync, new fuel pump, new rectifier, etc.), plus the ignition compnents that I replaced myself, I ended up with a couple of grand in the motor. Your sales point would be that a potential buyer most likely will not have to do much to the Merc.

That said, if your goal is to get within the boat's HP rating, why would you consider a Yammy 70hp, which exceeds it?

the cost of fixing on to run very good has little to do with the value of the motor. Most of the time you will have more in the motor than it's worth. 1989 is still probably new enough it won't scare people away, but they sell around here all the time for less than 1000, but probably not in as good a shape as your's but people don't realize that when purchasing. Good thing it you should be able to get a replacement about the same year or such for the same money. Go to your local Craigslist and see if someone needs more power and will trade you for their motor.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

it will sell much easier, and for more, if you sell the controls with it, as a complete package. this frees you up to buy what you want with controls. or you will be tied to buy a mercury, that works with your controls. filling bolt holes is easy with 3m 5200.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

the cost of fixing on to run very good has little to do with the value of the motor. Most of the time you will have more in the motor than it's worth. 1989 is still probably new enough it won't scare people away, but they sell around here all the time for less than 1000, but probably not in as good a shape as your's but people don't realize that when purchasing. Good thing it you should be able to get a replacement about the same year or such for the same money. Go to your local Craigslist and see if someone needs more power and will trade you for their motor.

I don't disagree with you in a general sense, nor do I think the average, older motor of this size would fetch top dollar. My point is, that under the absolute best circumstances, the higher price isn't impossible.

Many years ago I sold cars for a living. If there is anything that I learned from that experience, it is that you get the price that you ask for in a sale. You might be surprised just how often this philosophy works.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

I would not not recommend a yamaha. I have a 2000 Vmax 150 and its a lemon. Best engine I've had is a 80s model Johnson 90.

If you want to fix the problem of too many horses for you boat then go 65..not 70.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

I recently sold a 1989 30HP tiller/manual Johnson in great condition for $1300. I was able to demonstrate that it started (on muffs) and idled and revved a bit.
I then bought a 1996 Merc 40HP elec start/t&t with nearly NO hours on the clock for $1200. Not a con man, just have a good sense of what stuff is worth by doing local research, and can also persuade sellers down a bit.
Between Craigslist and ebay you should be able to get a feel where the local market is.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

Motor value is pretty open, it will depend on condition and appearance as well as your area and what the market will bare.
I just bought a 1996 Mercury 115ELPTO for $400, lower hours and in mint shape. The seller had upgraded to a 4 stroke and couldn't wait to get rid of the old motor. I drove his boat to the launch and pulled the motor at my place.
I have been trying to sell several older super clean Evinrude 175s with no luck lately and the same for a late 70's 135hp. Most people don't want anything older than the mid 80's. Especially if they've been in or around saltwater here.
Most of the used motors I see are pretty rough due to corrosion but its all due to neglect, I've had several of my own that have been used in saltwater now for over 10 years with no damage but I don't leave them in the water and I flush after each use. I also keep them well sprayed with WD40 and Salt-X.

Also, for some reason, it's nearly impossible to sell a Mercury around here, most want either a Johnnyrude or Yamaha.

 

[Mark42]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

Pull the head. Install 3 or 4 head gaskets. That will reduce the hp from 80 to 60 pronto!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

That 80hp Merc weighs in at about 270lbs or so. My biggest concern with the larger motor would be weight. A big part of the hp rating on a boat is it's ability to carry the weight on the transom.
If going to a lower horsepower motor didn't save any significant weight, I wouldn't be too concerned.
From a legal standpoint, I don't think reducing the HP of your current motor would help you much.
I believe a Yamaha 3cylinder is a bit lighter but not by much I would guess they would be around 230 lbs or so. a 40lb savings is about the weight of one battery. A 60HP Mercury in that era will weight in at about 210 lbs or so and keep you legal and eliminate the need for swapping controls and cables.
However, TD has a point as far as a motor being more sell able with it's proper controls.

In my opinion, I'd rather be a bit overpowered than underpowered, but it's the weight issue that can really hurt you when it comes to handling, especially in rough seas. You can always use some restraint when it comes to applying power.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

If it worked out well for the past two years, why swap now?

 

[Benny1963]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

if the boat likes it and it has never failed you even though im a evin guy
i would leave it alone and use it till you decide you want anew setup and or boat,you will probaly not get what you have in it ,im overpowered 175 hp evin on a 17ft mckee runs 60s on gps but other than horrible gas milage i have had it with two smaller motors and like it were it is
good luck

 

[mikesea]

Re: My boat is a little pregnant err..I mean overpowered.

Interesting replies.As for price,I think about 1000 if its clean and runs great.I too would stay with the 80 and use it til a problem comes up.The 10 hp is not that critical.I love yamahas.Had a few,worked on many.Some engines are promlematic,but a good mechanic is key to the fix.I also found the omc 3cyl engines to be great reliable engines.You want to get a newer one.From late 80's on.They have a larger cibic inch ,the differance in appearence is on the portside ,the exhust cover is one piece,the earlier were 3 seperate plates that caused problems,especially in salt water.the earlier yamahas pre 93 I think had inferior metal used in the shift shafts ,sooner or later failing,thus loss of shifting,the fix is expensive requiring powerhead removal,a real bear in saltwater ,as the bolts all stuck ,meaning alot of labor,if your merc has trim and tild thats a plus.if not,the other engines mostly came with tnt and that is a great asset for performance