How do a sell a boat motor?

[Noc]

I have a boat motor stored in the garage, mounted to a work bench. I want to sell the motor, but do not know how to go about it. It was used by a family member who no longer is available for guidance.

How do I go about selling it? I am thinking that the potential buyer will want to see it "run", but that is not possible in the current location in the garage. I just don't know how to go about trying to sell the motor.

Any advice? I am not a carpenter, and do not have access to anyone nearby with experience in boats. But, I can round up "helpers" if the project does not become too complicated. But I do not know anything about boats/motors. Yes, I have access to a truck. But not a boat. There is a harbor withing driving distance, but no retail stores there buy/sell 2nd hand motors, so I need to sell it on my own.

Thank you for any hints. The motor is a Yamaha 4 stroke 8HP 20" shaft, if that info helps you answer my question.

 

[Noc]

Hi, I'm checking back today to see if any hints have been posted. Thanks.

 

[BruceK]

It's a long shaft. You'd have better luck speaking to the yacht section, we use short shaft on our tenders. Unless you can show it working, putting it in a wheelie bin full of water and running it up you will need to sell it as spares and repairs. Easiest place to sell is ebay. Depending on condition and age anything from £250 to £1000. A lot less if you cannot demonstrate it running with a youtube link.

 

[Freebee]

Ideally it needs to be running, I sold mine on ebay, I did have it running and took a still picture which was good enough to demonstrate it ran, descibed it as best I could and got exactly what I paid for it 6 years ago- result!!!

 

[prv]

Depending on condition and age anything from £250 to £1000.

Bear in mind the OP said "truck", "harbor", and "store", so is probably in the US.

Pete

 

[BruceK]

Good spot.

 

[prv]

Anyway, US or UK, you're right that you really need to get it running, and be able to demonstrate that to a buyer. You need some kind of large bucket or bin (dustbins, aka "trashcans", are popular on this side of the pond) in which you can immerse the bottom end of the motor so that the propeller is several inches below the surface. You'll need something reasonably solid to mount the engine to - some bins are rigid enough on their own, some of us build wooden frames, or you might be able to clamp it to a bench or table or something else handy. Be aware that if you put it in gear, it will probably throw some water out of the bin onto the floor.

I don't know this particular motor, but I would guess that an 8hp probably has an external fuel tank. You'll need to find this, and the hose that goes with it that clips onto the front of the motor. If it's been sitting a long time, any fuel left in the tank will probably be stale and need replacing. Unless it looks really mucky, mixing the old stuff into your car tank should be ok, but do yourself a favour and don't try to start an old unknown engine on dodgy fuel.

Ebay is probably as good a place as any to sell it, if you don't have any contact with the boating world. Get it running and say that it does, take plenty of pictures including with the lid off and of any data plate, and include the fuel tank in the sale (I'm assuming it's no use to you otherwise!). A buyer will want to see it running, but in the tank or bin at your house is fine, they won't expect to see it on a boat.

Good luck.

Pete

 

[TQA]

I would try Craigslist before Ebay.

Try to get it running. Plank in a vice as a mount. Big bucket so as to submerge the prop area to the fin plus a couple of inches. Get some new fuel. Be prepared to clean out the carb.

You don't say where you are but if in a cold country you might do better to wait till April. In Florida go ahead now. Also you don't give a make or year. Give us a make and an engine number and someone will come up with the year.

If it is a mainstream make say 10 years old and can be seen running $500 - $800. Same engine sold as a non runner $50 - $75.

If it is something like an old Yugoslav Tomos then you will be lucky to get anything.

 

[jfm]

TQA, it's a Yamaha

I agree with the suggestion to say in any advert what year the motor is. Post the serial number and a picture if possible

 

[stelican]

Hi
Where are you based as can help if southern England

 

[Noc]

Hi, thanks for your help so far. I am in Hawaii (year-round boating). Craigslist is a good option for advertising here. But I'm going to have to figure out how to "mount the motor" on some sort of .... frame or stand (?) so that I can run it. There is a big barrel here (plastic, but not a hard-side but rather sort of flexible under force) for water, but I could not mount the motor to it.

It has been very well cared for, and was always stored in the garage. It only has maybe 10 hours on it. I have the original paperwork, so can post the details in my ad (eventually). What has me stumped is the "how" to get the motor running since i need to move it outside and remount it onto something. It would be a simple enough project for someone who knew what they were doing, but that is not me.

Any advice for options on how to get the motor into a safe position/frame/holder that it could be run? The YouTube video of it running is a great idea, perfect for putting into an ad (eventually)? Are there "plans" somewhere for building a stand? I could round up help for that.

 

[jfm]

plank of wood in a vice makes a stand (as someone said above). Piece of wood screwed to an old table (it's only a small motor). The backrest of a bench. some fence/railings in your yard. The back tailgate door of a pick up truck. you could hang it on the back of a friend's boat. sheesh this isn't difficult for such a small motor!

 

[henryf]

Fix it onto the back of your pick up truck then reverse backwards down the slipway until it's in the water.

Make sure you have someone video it for the advert

Alternatively lower the engine into a bucket of water, make sure it's in neutral and start it. Less critical to video that method as not much can go wrong.

Just make sure it's in neutral

 

[Noc]

More thanks for your more help so far. I appreciate it. The "shipping weight" of the motor was 87 pounds. I don't know how much of that was packaging vs the motor, but I do know that unfortunately I'm not able to use strength and experience in testing the motor (nor risking someone else getting hurt, since I am not in a knowledgeable position to know what the heck is safe vs unsafe when dealing with the moving parts!) But, one idea resonates as doable, I will ask for assistance from friends in putting it on the upright tailgate of a pickup. That sounds easier than building a frame, and a truck is certainly sturdy enough (ie safe).

Too bad for me that those who find this such an easy project are not nearby, I'd call you into volunteer service.

 

[Seastoke]

pay the flights and hotel and we will all come