TOPIC: Buying a used outboard advice

I found a 1972 Johnson 50 hp short shaft for my runabout. The man selling it said it came off a pontoon and he said the pontoon caught on fire. The only thing damaged to the motor was the hood. He says it runs but he's never heard it run. I think he's selling it for a friend. What kind of questions would you have for this guy if you were buying from him? And what risks is there in this purchase? I'm going to ask if he will let me set it up to start and hear it run. He's asking $200.

wjhuskey,

It would be well if you could see it run on a real boat in a lake/river BUT for 200.oo you can scrap it out for that much or more, so I wouldn't worry a great deal IF it isn't obviously damaged & seems to have decent compression.

just my opinion, satx

Thanks for the advice satx78247. I feel good about the motor too since it is only $200. Can't really go wrong with that as its probably worth that in parts alone. I'm going to see if the man will let me set it up to hear it run. It's just laying in his garage now. He measured the shaft but I don't think he measured it right. He came up with 18" which is in between 15" or 20" shafts. He's located 300 miles from me and I found this motor online. I want to be sure that its a short shaft before I make that long trip. He isn't sure if its long or short. Isn't there a way to know by the model #? The model # is 50ESL72 C. Doesn't that S in there stand for short???

18" is correct from the transom bracket to the cavitation plate, which is typically a couple inches BELOW the keel. Its a short shaft motor.

wjhuskey,

SORRY, I have little info about outboards that are that new.

yours, satx