how much?

[timmyswetarded]

how much would you pay for a minn kota 40# thrust trolling motor w/foot control....brand new not even out of the box? im about to seal the deal with a guy for the trolling motor and his 75 johnson boat with 75 johnson 20hp motor w/trailer for $900....good deal?

the boat is a 14' aluminium v-hull in good condition here is a pic

[Skwerl]

Which one is it?

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SubClass?hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=1&cmid=MALN_OS_MOTORSACCESSORIES_TROLLINGMOTORS

Trolling motors can run from $300-$1200 depending on which one it is. $900 for a 40 lb thrust secondhand trolling motor doesn't sound like much of a deal to me.

As far as the 30 year old boat, it's worth as much as somebody is willing to pay him. You've given absolutely no pertinent information so therefore it's your call.

[timmyswetarded]

well alrighty

[JayDub]

If everything is running and intact then YES it is a good deal.

[timmyswetarded]

thank you....the OTHER guy seemed a lil ticked off that i didnt give enough info....and yes the boat and the motor are in wonderful condition

[j-bass]

darn skippy, I paid over $1300 for my set up (most of you who have real boats will laugh at this) and its not exactly top-notch.  If everything is as good as it sounds you would be foolish to turn it up.  BTW, if the  Johnson motor is in good shape it is worth $900 by itself.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Skwerl wasn't annoyed, he was just saying what I was thinking.  We can't give you an accurate answer without specifics.  If you don't need an accurate answer than sure,..$900 is fair.

Read what he wrote, those T/M's go from $150-$1200.  Whichever one comes with boat will make a big difference in the price!

[Ben]

If boat is in good shape and depending on type it is, figure $200 - $300 for it.

Trailer another $75 - $125

Motor 1975 20 hp, if it's running, been checked out and in good shape $250 - $350

TM new you can look in BPS but probably around $350.

So, it adds up to you're getting a reasonable deal but not a real steal. Make him take $100 less and you will be much closer to true value. Again though, depends on the style and condition of the boat and the condition of the motor. Well care for and low hours it's a good deal, well used and just ok, and a V-hull (V-shaped bow), it's a border line deal.

[timmyswetarded]

why is v-hull worse?

[Ben]

I think it's just more basser's prefer the jon for most lakes and rivers.  V's are not as easy to get in and out of at the bank, and most just have a lot of wasted area in the V and are difficult to bow mount a trolling motor where the jon is easier to bow mount, easy to get in and out at the bank, and you can sit in the front, some even add casting decks (don't think I would try that on a V unless you don't mind taking a dunk from time to time).   V's are  generaly safer on larger lakes where you can get into waves with small white-caps and they will cut rough water better.  Not saying I would go on a large lake on a strong windy day but if you get caught, V's do work better and ride better than jons.

I didn't see your picture the first time, guess the puter I was unsing didn't show it but that's not a bad looking rig for $900 if the motor checks out good.  Those old OMC's are some good motors if not used up.  Can be a little agreevating to get started the first thing in the morning but are very reliable once you get here going.  I would take the bottom plug out of the lower unit and make sure no water or milkey oil comes out.  Lower unit leaks are common in old motors and not real cheap to reseal.

[Madhouse27]

Boat, motor, gas tank, trailer, trolling motor. If that thing is ready to go in the water I gotta think $900 is a good deal. Grab it and go fishing brother.

[timmyswetarded]

thanks madhouse... and ben im new to boating could you tell me where exactly to find the bottom plug? and should i be looking for just anything leaking? if i find something leaking should i say no thanks? (i dont want a boat full of problems....litterally) or how much should i ask off the price for a problem like that? thanks for your help!

[bassmasta7]

I bought my first boat last summer when i was 15 for $650. Mine is 15ft v-hull, recently rebuilt 50hp johnson, fish finder, bimini top, and trailer. I love my boat. The bottom plug is in the back on the outside of the boat. It is probably going to be under the motor. You probably are going to have to do some work to the boat but nothing serious hopefully. If it had any leaks i would not buy it. It looks like a good deal. Once you buy it (if the trailer is old), you will probably want to replace the bearings. You will need to check the tires to make sure they are also in good shape. I had a bad situation after i bought my boat with the bearings so it will probably be best to just replace them if they are old. You need to ask him to start the engine to make sure it works if you havent already. Good luck!

[timmyswetarded]

thanks! we are taking it out on the lake today to make sure everything works properly....ill be checking the bottom plug and making sure the engine is how i want it to be...thanks again for all the help!

[Madhouse27]

Good idea, the test drive should tell the story.

[abelfisher]

Offer him $800.  Then he'll come back at 850 (split the difference) then take it and start fishing!

[timmyswetarded]

i offered him 800 because he wanted 1000 originally and so we agreed upon 900i tried talking down more but he wouldnt budge, anyways we took the boat out and it ran nicely...it has been sitting for a year so it took a few pulls but it got going real nice....and the boat is a 16 footer not 14 like i thought....it pushes the boat around good....the tires and rims and bearings are all new he had them replaced like a year ago...anyways the boat rides really nice....now about the engine....there was a screw and then above it it said, "oil" and then a little farther down there was another screw with "oil drain" is that the bottom plug that i was supposed to look for?

[Jerkbate]

The oil and oil drain you are talking about are for changing, checking, and adding oil in the lower unit also called the foot.  You will want to check it.  I'm not sure what you are calling the bottom plug.  Are you refering to the drain plug for the boat?  If so, it is normally located at the back of the boat toward the bottom of the hull.  However, I have seen a couple of older boats that had the plug in the bottom.  If you can, take the boat to a local outboard repair shop or small boat dealer.  If you explain to them that this is your first boat, most should be more than willing to answer any questions that you have.   Even if they charge you a small amount it will be money well spent.

[timmyswetarded]

thanks....i checked the plug and it was fine no leaking ;D....the motor checked out so i think we are go to go ahead and buy it...thanks for all the help!

[timmyswetarded]

first fishing trip out on her tomorrow...just have to mount that trolling motor first....or maybe after....who knows...anyways thanks again for all the help...im thinking about putting a deck on it but im not sure....it is fairly wide and long so its stable

[timmyswetarded]

well it sure was interesting....we launched and after about 10 mins i noticed a lot of leaking gas...got me really worried so we brought her back to the dock and looked under the hood....well there was a screw missing from the carborator....than i remembered a stray screw before we left....it was lying right in the back of the boat...screwed it in and stopped the leak....that motor runs AWESOME....really moves that boat....and now to the fishing....mainly softplastics...but i did use a crank and caught two crappie (booo) and 1 bluegill(boo booo) and then i switched over to the soft plastics and caught 3 or 4 bass....most around 1 1/2 to 2 lbs....and the best part was...i totally outfished my dad...6-0 yeahhhhh ;D....and i mounted the trolling motor and its going to be sweet...now i just need to go and buy a battery charger because mine is dead...im pumped....peace

[bassmasta7]

Sounds awesome! Yeah i forgot to say the plug was in the hull. You should let it drain out after each trip and dont forget to put it back in.  ;D

[timmyswetarded]

haha its okay i figured it out....it takes on about a shot glass full of water at the very beginning but after that it doesnt leak at all...kinda odd but its all good...just charged up the battery tonight so its ready for tomorrow ;D....if i get to take her out tomorrow :'(

[Guest JoshKeller]

If its been sitting a year, I would definitly drain the oil out of the lower unit and refill. I do it every 3 months, but I fish 3 - 5 days a week.

Put a bucket under the lower unit. remove the bottom oil drain screw. As the oil is slowly draining, unscrew the top screw. It'll make it drain much faster. Let it all drain.

Let the oil sit for a half hour or so, if theres any water in it, it will seperate.

Get some 85w 90 marine gear oil (wal mart has it). Fill from the BOTTOM screw. Keep squeezing it in until it starts to come out of the top screw. Put the top screw back in and give it another squirt for good measure. Then QUICKLY take off the oil container nozzle and put the bottom screw back in, as fast as possible. It really helps to have another person put the screw in as soon as you remove the oil nozzle.

[timmyswetarded]

haha thanks that sounds just like what the seller said....he changed the lube the day before we bought it from him so im good to go for awhile...oh and im leaving right now to go fishing ;D