Newbie needs help!

[deecee322]

Greetings all! What I know about outboard motors could fill a thimble, so I'm open to all sorts of advice. I'm looking at a Sears Ted Williams 9.9 hp twin cylinder outboard with automatic solid state ignition on eBay. The cover is square and white, so I tend to think it's one of the later year models Sears sold. The seller says he found a tag that says 380B Tecumseh 7794591. Does this indicate anything as to age to anyone? I presume the engine itself is made by Tecumseh and the 380B is the model of the engine, but perhaps I'm way off base. The seller says he pulled it over and it seems to have good compression, but didn't actually start it. He further said the person he bought it from (on a boat) says it runs well. There are two pictures attached taken by the seller, if they help. The bidding price seems right and the location isn't far from where I live. Any opinions would be welcome! Thanks and happy boating!

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie needs help!

Stick to major brands for your first ob, DC.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Newbie needs help!

We have tons of posts here where the buyer relied on the sellers word on the condition of - - whatever. Then the buyer begins his tale of woe. I'm with JB BIG TIME!

Oh and welcome!!!

 

[The-Machinist]

Re: Newbie needs help!

When I started boating I didnt have the imput of the great minds here on Iboats. The result? I have a pile of those old ted willams out back. Even got a few sea kings and a few little wizards. Cant find parts for most of them, and wouldnt be worth s**t if I did get them running. Im with JB and solittle on this one. ( If you really want a ted willams I have about a half a truck load i'll sell you real cheap)

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Newbie needs help!

Run away from that outboard. Parts for the solid state ignition are not available. Odds are that it won't start, or the seller would have started it. Odds are strong that the solid state ignition is broken, like the one in my garage.

In fact, don't buy any outboard on eBay if it's your first outboard. Buy one from someone who can demonstrate that it runs while you're standing there.

Don't end up like me with three non-op outboards in your garage.

 

[deecee322]

Re: Newbie needs help!

Thanks to all for their quick and sound advice... that was my initial instinct, particularly as I was looking at a 16-foot walkthrough that was on eBay Motors last month, complete with closeup photos of the trailer bearing a current PA registration plate and the bow bearing a current PA registration sticker. When I emailed Boatangel Ministries about the title and registration from the donor, advising (I'm a police officer) that Pennsylvania requires such documents, they quickly withdrew it from auction and I never heard another word!

Apparently my instincts are sounder than my knowledge... lol. I appreciate everyone taking the time to offer advice. I've read a number of posts on this site from several of you, which is why I posted my question. The other posts and answers proved that instinct was right, too!

Thanks again... and if anyone has any idea of where I might find a decent used outboard in central or northeast PA, feel free to let me know! Cheap is good, free is always better my old captain used to say... lol

Happy boating!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Newbie needs help!

Don't end up like me with three non-op outboards in your garage.

I hope besides those you have at least one other that works.