dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Since I suckered up and now have 2 outboard motors that are maybe parts only, I spent another day looking for a good motor. I looked at one yesterday after I told how to start it supposed to be a running motor, he finally got it started running it blowed nothing but blue smoke. I didn't buy it. One guy couldn't start his motor because it was missing the starter I told him to put a starter on it and start it up I would come look at it he said if he put a starter on it he'd keep it I think he wanted me to buy a non starter. Another raised the price 400$ after I asked him about it. I asked several to put boat and motor in the water so I could see it running no takers I have a couple prospects but they haven't answered my questions yet. I'm taking your advice and not buying unless I see them running prefer to see them on the water

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

You did the right thing, Ed. If they are honest dealers, they will have no problem presenting their motors.
Good job. Difficult for sure, but stick to your plan.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

That's a very good idea Ed. Why would you ever take a chance that the motor doesn't run, just because the present owner says TRUST ME IT RUNS FINE !

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Good plan Ed. If possible, bring someone with outboard experience with you.
By the way, 2 stroke motors always smoke some, they run on a oil/gas mix. Good luck hunting.

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Ed, I buy and sale small boats and motors and I always check the compression on them and if possible try them in the water 💦 I never sale a motor without taking it out for a test and show them the compression check 👍 then it's up to them if they want to buy it, and if they can't start it right up without starting fluid that mean you want be able to when you get out on the water either 🥴
One more thing when you first get there to look at it, feel of it to make sure they hadn't already started it and warmed it up 😂 check the bushings and the prop for play and oil leak..
Hope you the best finding a good motor 🙏🙏

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

And if the prop has got a bent flange. LOL That will really mess up an in the water boat test. I know props are not that much, nomally under $100.

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Dealers here don't carry used motors people buy new and sell old motors on marketplace so I'm dealing with individuals who don't want to tell you much about the motors hoping you will buy whatever problem so you're stuck with it like we say all fisherman are liers without pictures boat owners are the same Missourians are worse than most

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

That happened to me years ago dbed. Bought a motor off a guy and he swore he used it in Canada in the spring. Got it home and it wouldn't start. Got checking things and found out he had the fuel line and air lines reversed. From then on, I had to see it run

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

I found it's amazing how many boats for sale on marketplace are trying to pass their problem onto a sucker. The last one I bought that was fair condition, I still had ignitions to change, rewiring and steering cables to replace. But for $1,800 cash we were able to get a few good years using it. I shop used boats not trusting no one's word's. It takes a lot of time to find one worth paying for.

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Changing directions trying to buy a pontoon boat for 2000$ with 50hp mercury motor supposed to be in top running condition we'll see if they get back to me tried to buy this boat in January but they quit messaging got a message Saturday offering it for sale again now back to waiting for a reply man do I miss talking to people on the phone nobody will give out a phone number anymore
sure slows things down

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Motors run very different on muffs compared to pushing a load in the water! Be careful!

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Ed, that sounds to good to be true but at least you can have him put it in the water and test it out 👍 and if he's not willing to do that walk away 🥴
Hope if works out for you 🙏

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Is this the same one that we all decided was a scam earlier?

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Ed brought back nightmares of boat buying n trying to sell a boat.
When I bought my glastron the guys insisted we take it to the river.
Oct 05.

He wanted me to operate the boat n the trolling motor.
Did need a new starter.

When I decided to sell it the fun started .Told everyone it still started n ran well but one cylinder had low compression.

One guy showed up. First thing he wanted to drop price $500. Then wanted me to tow it to Richmond VA.
For free.
Had another guy near by tell me if he didn't buy it call him.
He never returned call.
When I was looking for a jet boat that was interesting also.
Some of the junk I looked at was unbelievable.

When I found my tracker in February it was super cold n river iced over.
I checked compression n all good.
Took a shot.
Knew control was stiff going into reverse.

Got it to river n SURPRISE
It started but wouldn't stay running.
Took to shop carb rebuild.
Back to river SURPRISE the gremlins all showed themselves.

Neutral control switch was bad.
Hard to get reverse n t-motor break was bad. Couldn't tell that till in the water.

Then I couldn't keep boat running.
On the trailer n to a different shop.
First guy rebuild cards but didn't tighten the screws.
It was suckin air n leaking gas.
Brooke tighten things up.
New controls n safety switch.
I replaced breaker.
$700 got it running fine.
Still a good deal overall.
She's still running today.
Only gremlin that popped up since.
Starter wire came loose.

Remember to check all connections now n then. 👍☺️

With a prop you won't know about lower unit without putting it in the water as already stated 👍

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

No different boat
I learned how to spot most of the scams by going to their Facebook page and checking their listings. It will show the boat listed in multiple places sometimes 20 or 25 and more.