Need a little info on a outboard

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Ok i don't know were to start.Well here goes.I was looking on craigslist for a 15hp 4stroke outboard and spotted a deal of a lifetime.It is a brand new 2009 15hp 4stroke merc manual start for $1500.The engine breakin oil was put in by the original owner,the owner then got very ill and sold it to another guy as he needed money.Well the original owner and this new owner never ever fired the motor once.It has never been run[0hrs].Well i spotted it on craigslist for $1900 and got it for what i said $1500.I just couldn't pass it up.So here is what i saw.

I took it out of the box as the guy had the original box it came in and they must of flipped the motor on the wrong side and he had it stored like that for like 5mths.Some of the engine oil leaked out of the powerhead as i could see it and feel it.It wasn't a large amount but enough to notice it.Will that hurt the engine at all since the engine has never been turned over.Whatever oil was left in the engine i drained out and close to 25 to 30 ounces came out and the motor holds a little over a qt.

I am deciding on whether to keep a almost new 15hp 2stroke merc or this one.The idea of having a motor that has never been run is awesome,plus i have wanted a 4stroke for a while.The thing that scares me is the weight as my 2stroke weighs in at just 72lbs and the 4stroke is a whoping 118lbs,thats 46lbs more.I have a 14ft alumacraft that will hold it as it is rated for up to a 25.I'm very nervous about the engine oil to.I decided to buy it as i didn't think it would hurt it not being started once.Plus i don't know what the power loss will be from a stand still to planing the boat out.I need to get on plane fast as i fish very shallow water with rocks.If the 2 motors won't be to much different then i will just keep the 4stroke.I know they won't be identical but if they are very close then i should go the way of the new motor i would think.

Any help on this would be great.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Need a little info on a outboard

Personally, I'd keep the lighter 2 stroke and sell the 4 stroke...you should be able to sell it for a good bit more than you paid for it. Don't worry about that oil that leaked out, but motor may smoke some when/if you first crank it up. Sounds like you're in a no-lose situation. Good Luck!
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,241
Re: Need a little info on a outboard

We had this discussion several times before. Try each one out on your boat and see which one suits your needs the best. Otherwise, you'll always be wondering.

You got the 4-stroke so cheap, even if you run it and decide to sell it you'll probably get back at least what you paid for it even though it'll be a used motor. And even if you lose a few bucks on it, so what! Isn't it worth a hundred or 2 to have an optimum boat?
 

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Re: Need a little info on a outboard

Sold the 4stroke.I don't have to worry about that anymore.Jim i don't think you understand when a motor is not started it is new,as soon as you crank it,it's used and the profit margin goes down quite a bit.I even asked the guy who bought it if i had started it and if it were used would you of given me $1800 for it like i got,his reply not a chance.I did right.I will now try to find a used 15hp 4stroke of some kind and i will test them seperate which i have no problem with.Also i'm not in it to make what i bought it for it is about making money for me but i want to buy a used one and test each one.I was just going to keep the 4stroke as it was brand new but several people talked me out of it so i will keep the 2stroke.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,241
Re: Need a little info on a outboard

No, I understand perfectly. Read my other post! You asked for an opinion and I gave it. I told you to run it and take a loss. If your incentive is ONLY to make money, why you asked the question in the first place.
 

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Re: Need a little info on a outboard

I was going to actually keep the 4stroke,but the biggest thing i wrote in this thread was the oil leaking out.It had me a little worried.I will not buy a 4stroke anytime soon unless forced to by the epa.More people have told me the 2stroke is so much better to have because less to go wrong,lighter,more power out of the hole,less worries.I will still buy a used 15hp 4stroke and buy a gps and i will chart some differences between the 2 like gph,mpg,true power difference as how long it takes to plane and a whole bunch of good stuff.As soon as i find a used one which won't take me long i will post all that if people want to.By the way the paint job on the merc came out awesome,when i took it to the merc dealer today i asked him to go easy on the motor as far as being careful with all the tools he was gonna use as i just painted it over a week ago.His honest reply was there is no way this was just painted as he said it was the best paint job he has ever seen and matched the rest of the merc flat out perfect.I said i had a good guide to help me through it all.So i guess the 3rd time was a charm and i thank you whole heartedly for helping me jim.Also i buy and sell outboards now to stay alive that is why i couldn't run it,if i would of ran it that would of been an extra $300 down the drain for my stupity.I am going to buy all kinds of small motors to sell but before i sell them i will test them all and post all the numbers here for people to see.If people want to chime in on what they want i have no problem helping.I am going to start another full thread with this as soon as i pick up some more motors.
 
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