Should i buy it?

[mmurray70]

Im looking for a backup engine for my 19ft boat. A friend has an older 6 hp johnson for sale. It look the same as the one in the attached pic. Looks like its late 60's or early 70's based on what I can find.

It starts and runs fairly easily but always seems to either flood itself or run lean shortly after and shut off. Obviously has some kind of carburetor trouble. Has excelent spark but unfortunatly it is points. I've never had an engine with points before. Are these easily replaced? Still available? What about other parts? He wants $100 for it, should i buy it?

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Should i buy it?

Yes, as long as it runs, buy it.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Should i buy it?

Yes easily replaced, yes still available as well as everything else- $100 is a good price and they are pretty simple to work on, get it. Maybe a bit small for a 19ft boat though, try it if he'll let you.

 

[mmurray70]

Re: Should i buy it?

Well i mean it kind of runs. Only for short intervals.

Also it has a 2 blade plastic prop on it and all the ones i see online have three blades. Is this anything to be concerned about?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Should i buy it?

I used a similar Johnson 4HP as a trolling motor/backup on a 19' Sea Ray for years. It did fine. By the way, you won't go faster than hull speed, no matter how big a backup, unless it can plane the boat. Hull speed for most boats under 20' is ~ 7 knots. My 23' won't plane on a single 175HP and I can tell you a single won't push it over 7 knots ... I've tried.

If you've never messed with points, get a shop manual. They are very easy to adjust, but you need to know what to do.