Price of used motors

[loosescrew]

I've been actively searching CL and FB for a deal on a 14ft boat to pair with my 15hp Evinrude lately
and have seen quite a few used four stroke motors for probably less than I'd ever sell my two stroke for.
I've had no luck so far finding a hull that's cheap enough, the best one I've found so far was a 1993 Starcraft for $1,500.
Although its half of new I was hoping to find something around $600 but everything I've seen for less either has no title or is completely rotted, or too narrow. The dealer wants $3,400 for a new hull, but can't get one till the end of Sept or later.

What I'm thinking is that if I buy the Starcraft that I looked at, my 15hp will work but it'll take a 30hp. I found both a 2003 15hp Yamaha four stroke for $800, and a 30hp Suzuki for $400. Plus over a dozen larger two strokes, the best one I looked at was a 1975 25hp that looks like it was rarely used. All or any will need a water pump, so will my 15hp for that matter since it sat all last season but that's not a concern. The 25hp runs, the guy stuck it in a barrel and it started in two pulls and pumped water just fine. He said he replaced the impeller five years ago but never used it. In my mind, that means it needs a new impeller regardless.

What is a good 15hp worth?

If I buy a bigger motor, I'll need to sell my 15hp.

 

[airshot]

Depends on condition, age and your location and what someone is willing to pay. In my area ( great lakes region) they bring good money as they are in demand for kicker motors on larger boats. A few hundred miles north is an area filled with small lakes and rivers where small out boards are everywhere and fairly cheap due to their abundance. You have searched your area, so what are they going for ?

 

[outboard]

From what I've seen around my way no motors are selling, they haven't been for several years. With a building full of outboards not a one has so much as gotten a response on CL or Fb in five years or so now.
Worse yet I've been able to buy late model motors for next to nothing. six years ago I'd have said that any 15hp in viable condition without corrosion or physical damage with good compression would bring upwards of $900, but lately I doubt if one would bring $50.

I buy clean used 9.9/15hp Johnnyrudes all the time these days in clean shape for $50-$100 here. The only problem is they're basically unsellable lately. No one has any cash to spend, most people I find who want a motor can't come up with $50 let alone $500 or more for a good used motor. I suppose its also why the waterways have been devoid of boats most days over the past few years.

If I were to put a value on a 15hp outboard, I'd say the older OMC two strokes should be between $900 and $1500, a four stroke, about half that for a Mercury, unless its a Tohatsu built four stroke, and maybe $1000 or so for a good used Yamaha or Honda motor.

Things like carb or water pump condition mean nothing, I put zero weight on a seller saying either have been rebuilt or replaced as there's no way I wouldn't at the very least open the carb up and look and stick a fresh impeller in any motor I intend to use myself anyhow. I'm with the thinking that even if I put a new impeller in a motor and list it for sale, if it takes a year to sell it, and it sits all year on a stand, it still needs a new impeller again because half of that impeller has likely taken a set and will never be 100%. It may work but I wouldn't risk it for a $20 impeller and 20 minutes of work to just change it.

Motors may not be selling but there's no way I'd let any of mine go for as cheap as I've seen so many listed for. I'd rather plant them in the yard as ornaments before giving them away for next to nothing.