I have a 18' 79 Lund Mr Pike that I just recently acquired for a big water duck boat, it has a 77 johnson 85hp on the back. To be honest, I just don't have a ton of faith in older outboards. I know some of you have been using yours since before I was born, but I just don't feel that I have the mechanical know-how to make sure that I get this thing running well enough to keep me alive come november 29th when I'm duck hunting in 8 degree weather on big lakes.
If someone is from around the cities area and knows a really, really cheap and good mechanic, or is a good mechanic that works for coca-cola and sandwiches, that may change the situation, but otherwise...
A decent estimate of worth on the 77 johnson? it's not in perfect condition by any means. I can clean it up to make it look better for sale. I was thinking around 800-1000? the controls all work, I don't know a ton about it, but that goes with the territory I suppose.
a good option for repower? I would love to get a 90 horse E-tec, but that just won't be in the budget for many moons. Probably never, as I have a 9 month old and we're already thinking about number 2!
I need to find something easy starting in the cold and reliable. I might just have to bite the bullet and buy something on a loan to make sure I don't get stranded in the middle of a lake on a consistent basis. I had a 59 outboard that got me stuck in terrifying situations more than once on a previous boat.
sorry about the novel! thanks for any replies. I could really use the help. I know I have a lot of time before there's even any open water in which to use the boat, but I would like to have a good head start on it come spring.
If someone is from around the cities area and knows a really, really cheap and good mechanic, or is a good mechanic that works for coca-cola and sandwiches, that may change the situation, but otherwise...
A decent estimate of worth on the 77 johnson? it's not in perfect condition by any means. I can clean it up to make it look better for sale. I was thinking around 800-1000? the controls all work, I don't know a ton about it, but that goes with the territory I suppose.
a good option for repower? I would love to get a 90 horse E-tec, but that just won't be in the budget for many moons. Probably never, as I have a 9 month old and we're already thinking about number 2!
I need to find something easy starting in the cold and reliable. I might just have to bite the bullet and buy something on a loan to make sure I don't get stranded in the middle of a lake on a consistent basis. I had a 59 outboard that got me stuck in terrifying situations more than once on a previous boat.
sorry about the novel! thanks for any replies. I could really use the help. I know I have a lot of time before there's even any open water in which to use the boat, but I would like to have a good head start on it come spring.