Should I Sell My Mercury

[baconbiscut]

I have a 1968 20hp mercury a few of you are familiar with. I got it from my uncle the engine has 11 hrs on it and I just changed the impeller and it runs great. Heres why I want to sell it it's a little to much power for my boat. And I figure with the condition it's in I could buy a newer Johnson 15hp with the money I make from it. I aslo don't know what to sell it for if I sell it. But come On guys what do you think should I sell this outboard or not.

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

here are pics

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Baconbiscuit,
I don't know what to say, really.
On one hand, I wouldn't let my son near that 20 merc because it's so fast and powerful, and in my own opinion is a little dangerous for someone who is not really experienced--even old folks.
However, you'd never be able to replace that motor and won't get what it is worth if you sell it. I'd say you'd get between 600 and 1500 for it, depending on who saw it, area of the country, etc. If I owned it I'd find a boat to fit the motor rather than a motor to fit the boat. It's a lot easier to find a good used boat than a good used motor. And it would be especially hard to part with my uncle's old motor.
Basically, I'd hate to see you sell it, but would hate for you to get hurt with it, too. Hard call to make.
I sure liked that hard stream of water that merc of yours put out on idle. That is what it's SUPPOSED to look like!
Good luck, whichever you choose,
JBJ

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

First, Baconbiscut, is certified in Florida, and a very experienced boater.
i answered your email, but will make it official here. you will not get any where near what the motor is actually worth, expecially in Jacksonville. Maybe $500, here.

Get the seats back in the boat, extend the gas line, get weight in the bow, and you don't have to run WOT. we also talked about going to remote controls, and moving you forward. with the eventuality of looking for another boat.

by the way, i like you launch ramp.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Even I couldn't sell that one, but it sure looks scarey on that boat!

I too would look for a bigger boat. You wouldn't get much more than $500 here either. The replacement wouldn't be in nearly as nice shape.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

I also see no life jackets in the boat and removal of the seats means the boat is not structurally sound. Sell the boat, keep the motor and put it on a bigger boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

I agree with tashasdaddy. The Biscuit looks young, but is an old salt.

Get some seats in the boat to stiffen it up and move some weight foreward.

Sell that engine? No. If for no other reason than to respect your uncle's gift.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

That looks just like a Starcraft or Sea King 12' boat. I have one just like it. Mine is rated for 10hp. The 14' verson, just in case yours is longer than it looks, is rated for 15hp.

Without the seats, that hull is likely to twist or get out of its normal shape.

Around here, older 14' aluminum boats are selling, without trailer or motor, for about $300.

I'd be really concerned about having a 20hp on there, no matter how experienced a small craft boatsman you are. I know that my 12' is squirrely as the dickens when on plane, and I just have a 6hp on it.

If I were you, I think I'd put the seats back in that boat, clean it up, paint the interior really nicely, polish the exterior, and sell it and buy a 14' boat. You'll be happier in the long run, I think, and probably safer.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Hey BB, I know you're an experienced boater from previous threads on here, but I would keep the motor, & get a better boat

If you are stuck on that boat, I'd at least put some seats, and maybe a deck on it with a steering wheel, & forward controls. Seriously, I don't know what's holding that boat together? It doesn't have the extra support of the items I mentioned, and I'd say it needs it. actually that transom looks kinda thin, & light, it doesn't look like it's made for more then 10hp to me from what I can see?

On the other hand, Maybe it's not worth salvaging just look elseware for a better boat, maybe a whaler style, good luck, Mike

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Don't sell that motor!

It is a family heirloom and you will regret it one day if you do.

You could have got some porcelain figure from your aunt, instead you got this beauty. I would love to have it in my living room or office, even better hanging on the back of a vintage boat.

Keep the motor, dump the boat.

P.S. Don't listen to the age comments. I bought my first Pick-Up, a 1958 Chevrolet Apache, when I was 13 and was flying with a friend when we were 15. People at the airport who didn't know us use to yell at us. “You kids get out of here or I'll call the cops!” Then their jaws would hit the runway when we climbed in and taxied past them laughing our *****e$ off.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

So, I went and looked at your video, and now I see that is a 14' Starcraft. You should be able to handle that 20hp on there. But...you really need to get the seats back in, like several folks have said.

Trimming in a hole or two should help with the porpoising, too, as will sitting on the seat. Get some gear in there, too, and keep it up in the bow area. I promise, nobody'll want to sit up there anyhow when you're running fast.

The Starcraft aluminum boats are good and sturdy. Mine is just a 12', and is older than Moses, but it doesn't leak a drop, and I take it out anywhere.

Tashasdaddy is right, though. If you could get a little console up about where the middle seat is, with forward controls, that little tub'll be a nice ride.

So, ignore my earlier message. But fix the seats! They're all that hold the sides apart. And wear your life jacket! (old fart speak off)

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

I have seats in the boat now. It was something I didn't get around to when I took the photos. The boat is 14ft long and rated for 18hp. It's way to fast we were pushing 35 in it and at the speed I couldn't put the throttle for more than 10secs. Before things got scary. I like my boat and I have to sell one to upgrade. If I sell the boat I wouldn't be able to upgrade to alrager boat. but if I sell the motor I could get a 15 hp or a 9.9 and fell a little safer. I know i'm very lucky to have the Mercury but when you got all that power on the back of a little boat it's hard not to use it. I could possibly sell it to a friend and but it back one day. PFDS just wanted to clarify this. the photo me not wearing a PFD was just me in the boat starting up the engine to let it warm up before I went and got fishing gear. I always where my PFD.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

you are not going to get enough out of the motor to get a 15 that is in as good condition as that motor. you basically have a new motor, it is just dated 1968. use it keep the throttle down. something will come along, that will fit the situation, & wallet, then you can upgrade. i'm already looking, and you know i can find a deal.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Keep that engine, baconbiscuit.

If you get a boat too big for it, keep it anyway.

I gave my son my beloved Johnny JW-20 so he could go fishing in the summer with rented boats.

I came home one day and found a sick Scott 5 on the porch. He had accepted an even swap offer. Took several hours to get the Scott cooling and running right and it served well for several years, but I have never forgiven my son for "giving away" my sweetheart.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Ok, keep the motor and the boat.

Now learn self control.

Learn it now, and it could save your or my life latter. Know your and the limits of your equipment. Don't push those limits and you will be OK.

It is cool just to know you could go faster if you wanted to, that doesn't mean you have to, or that you should.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Add a short cable stop piece on the throttle cable under the cover. Goes between the end and the bracket mount (At "Dizzey World" we made them from stiff plastic tubing split cut on one side and snapped them over the cable). It'll keep you away from WOT.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

I understand. With that little thing porpoising like it was, I'd be scared too. Still, the boat's rated for 18hp, so 20hp isn't really out of line. Move the fuel tank (use a 6 gal. tank) up toward the front of the boat, and maybe put some other gear up there. I have my trolling motor battery just behind the front seat on my 12' version of the same boat.

Trim the engine in, and get some weight up there and I'll bet your boat will settle down. You don't have to run it at 35 mph, but once it's stable, it won't scare you so much.

Those Starcrafts are a pretty good design, overall. With forward controls and a covered bow, I believe the 14' ones were rated for 35 hp, and people waterskiied behind them.

Or, give Tashasdaddy some time, and he'll help you find a better little boat for your nice Merc. Whatever you do, the motor's worth more than the boat...every time. A like-new 20hp outboard is like gold.

 

[crb478]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

keep the motor and rig up a throttle stop to keep you from giving it too much gas. Then if you get a bigger boat you can put it back to stock and use all of the available power.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Yes! You should sell this motor! To me! For about $200 - I'll even pay the shipping!

No! Wait! You're 14 and I can't do this! If it was JBJ, though, I mighta gone through with the scam and then sent him crawfish etouffe for about a year to make amends!

Seriously, that motor looks like it is in pristine condition. You should hang onto it and might even want to consider taking it off the boat, to be run in a barrell once in awhile. If you ever decide to rebuild an antique boat, that 20 would make a perfect companion for it!

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Should I Sell My Mercury

Ha Ha! You wouldn't catch me on that one, JAY. ... That would be one of those "pry it from my cold dead hands" motors to me! It's interesting that I'm not the only one that loves those old 20's---when they're running right like BaconBiscuit's.
In truth, if I lived near you, BaconBiscuit, I'd offer you more than $500 in a heartbeat for that motor. It does look cherry!
You'll regret selling it guaranteed. It'll never be worth a huge amount to anyone but you----or me.
JBJ