What's the best way to sell my old motors?

[mzhammond]

I have two old outboard motors that I would like to sell but I don't know how to reach people who would be interested. Can anyone provide any advice? I have a Johnson Sea Horse 5 1/2 hp motor (1957, I think), with gas can and gasline, Model CD14, serial #1593235. Its red and white. The other is an Evenrude Zephyr, probably from the 1940's. There is a lot of writing on the housing but I can't read much of it. The serial # is 4381-00350, and the tag says "1935 Canadian patent". If anyone has any info. on this motor, I would appreciate hearing about it. Both motors seem to have all of the knobs/handles, etc, and were run within the last 10 years. They seem to be in very good condition. How do I determine a fair price and where can I advertise them? Thanks for any help.

 

[bayman]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

There are so many of these old outboards around that I personally have found it difficult to give them away unless they are proven to be running and in mint condition.

 

[Tolly family]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

eBay

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Where can you advertise them? I think you just did. But go here http://www.aomci.org/cgi-bin/adshow.pl

 

[Mod2]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Hello motorowner.....I'll be moving your post to General Outboard Discussion since it's not a repair topic. You might look into iboats Thrifties area. You can put them up for sale there if you wish.<br /><br />And welcome to iboats!!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

If you ebay them, you'll get more money parting them out than selling them whole, thats what I do. I had a late 50s 30 horse Johnson that I parted out on ebay earlier this year, made much more than I would have selling it whole, and shipping is a lot easier. A lot of people have these little outboards and need only a few parts, not the whole thing. If you do part it out, I would be happy to buy the faceplate, knobs, and maybe lower unit of that 57 Johnson off of you. I have one I am setting up as a kicker and I could use the faceplate and knobs real bad. Where do you live?

 

[boatsalotjay]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

ebay, all the way.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Keep in mind that eBay works only if you're willing to take the time to list them properly, are somewhat knowledeable about what you're selling, and willing to ship them right. Nothing worse than buying a motor off eBay and having it shipped in a thin cardboard box, wrapped in a single layer of bubble wrap and finding it on your doorstep with the cowling smashed, shift handle busted, oil seeping from a cracked lower unit, etc.<br /><br />If you part them out, you may get more money, but it'll also take more time to properly disassemble each system, photograph it, write up descriptions for each system, etc. <br /><br />Bottom line is that eBay is only "best" if the bottom line matters and your time is cheap. It's not the "easiest" way. I sell a lot of motors locally through the paper and it works very well. If you just want the motors gone with a few extra bucks in your pocket for your efforts, try your local PennySaver or FreeTrader type paper and list each at around $100 with some negotiation room built in and they should go quickly. You can also try listing them at the AOMCI.org site.<br /><br />Another option that works well if you're not really interested in getting a lot of money for them, but prefer to see that they go to a good home or cause, is to give them to your local VoTec school, or high school shop class. Or, maybe you have a mechanically inclined son/daughter/nephew/neice/neighbor who might get some enjoyment from them. I was the recipient of one or two freebie motors as a kid, and I had a lot of fin with them. Depending on who you give them to, you may get a small write-off for your taxes, too. <br /><br />Lots of good ways to put your old motors back into circulation.... Good luck!<br /><br />- Scott

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Go to www.aomci.org and check to see if there is a state/local chapter in your area. Then take those motors to that chapter's swap meets. That's where you will find the folks who want those motors. Or use the Webvertize ads on the aomci site. Ebay only works if you take time to learn how to sell, fairly price the item, find a good buyer and are willing to do the shipping end of it. In short there are easier ways than ebay...the aomci route or just your local thrifties paper or the thrifties here on iboats.

 

[swist]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

The good part about eBay is you get a nationwide audience, but that's also the bad part with outboards - they are very awkward and/or expensive to package and ship. Even a 2hp is a weird shape demanding some effort/ingenuity in packaging. Many of the larger outboards are either sold as "pick up only", or have an astronomical shipping cost which wipes out any bargain you may have gotten.<br /><br />There is a good market for small outboards in working order. As we all know, the prices for these things new is really stiff. I sold one on eBay a few years ago and got a great price as there was quite a bidding war.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

To reach the audience that you want to I would surely go ebay.Your chances at selling the items are greatly increased when there is a picture of it.A detailed description is good too.Charlie

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

JayH:<br /><br />I was in Priest River most of Aug and Sep and planning on moving there by Nov. Have you had a chance to take a look at the boat infront of the Priest River Marine? It has a nice looking 1961 Merc 700 on the back and they only want $1,500 for the boat, motor and trailer. <br /><br />My E-Mail is skier1@p2kisp.com<br /><br />Also I heard that the ISP in Priest River has raised his rates and lowered the hours, go to http://www.p2kisp.com (He just moved to Priest River) Local numbers, unlimited hours for 9.95<br /><br />There is a flyer in the barber shop and in front of Mitchels.<br /><br />Hope to hear from you.<br /><br />Craig

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

I drive by that boat twice a week, I can try to remember to stop by and have a looksee. Its been there for awhile. There are a billion boats for sale around here. I know of two, a 19 footer with 175 horse Merc, 1975, for $2800 obo, and a 16 foot 1980 Tahiti ski boat with Mercruiser 470 newly rebuilt , bad trim pump for $1800.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

I'm driving back over to Priest River again Wednesday for an interview with the apartment manager and a job interview in Sandpoint for a drug testing co.<br /><br />I drove down your creek Jason looking for your boat, but didn't see it. Either I didn't go far enough, or you were out fishing. I don't remember what day that was.<br /><br />Craig

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

If you got to the bridge that crosses the creek, my dock is the 2nd one on left before the bridge. I have had the boat out of the water since mid Sept, so if it was after that, that is why.

 

[mzhammond]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Thank you all for your input. Since I know nothing about outboard motors except how to run one, I had no idea if these things were a dime a dozen and I should just sell them at a garage sale, or if I should really put some effort into it. Given all the helpful information you've provided, I think I'll go the easy route and put an ad in the paper or save them for my next garage sale. Again, thanks for all the help.<br />---motorowner mary in minnesota

 

[v12mac]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

EDIT: Sorry, mac. No buying or selling on the message boards.

 

[JB]

Re: What's the best way to sell my old motors?

Your Johnny CD-14 is indeed a 1957 5.5HP, Owner.<br /><br />The Zephyr (model # 4381) is a 1946-47 5.4HP.<br /><br />In perfect condition each is probably worth $250- $300<br /><br />List your engines on the Thrifties. I will leave enough of this thread to lead interested members there. I need to edit out any attempts to buy or sell on the message board.<br /><br />Good luck.