Need opinions on possible motor trade

[mccollum007]

Hey guys, just interested in everyones opinions on a trade I'm looking at. A little background info, the motors going on a old 14' Crestliner semi-v used for fishing in the summer and duck hunting in the winter. Right now I've got a 59 Johnson 10hp that I've completely gone through in the past year down to the plug wires, lower end seals, water pump, etc. It runs great and I have no complaints with it, the only thing is its a little lacking in power. With just me its fine, it will plane out and go plenty fast for what I use it for but with another person, fishing/hunting equipment, etc. it slows down quite a bit and won't plane out. Recently I've come across an opportunity to trade for a 72 Evinrude 18hp motor. I went the other day to check it out and it runs good and seems to have been taken care of but the guy says earlier this year he hit something in it on the lake and now at high speeds it slips out of gear, he says if you hold the shifter down it will hold the gear better. My first thoughts were either a bad clutch dog, bent shift fork or a spun prop. The guy admittedly says he knows nothing about boat motors or how to work on them and would rather just trade for a smaller running motor than mess with fixing it. Just wondering what everyones opinions are on if this seems like a decent deal or if I'd be making a mistake. Thanks in advance!!