I posted a thread awhile ago about the Minn-Kota electric motor that came on my boat. I pulled it off and sold it for $200.00 on Craigslist and have been watching like a hawk for a decent deal on a gas kicker motor to go along with the 25hp main. Would've really liked a four-stroke, but way more $$$ than the wife thought I should spend on the boat.

Anyway, came across this motor on Craiglist tonight for $350.00 with a fuel tank and hose and it was 20 minutes from home. As far as I can tell it's a 1996 model and is as clean as clean. I need to start with fresh fuel and give it a test run, but can't imagine there's any reason why it won't purr like a kitten.

Wow that thing looks like it came out of a time warp. If it runs as good as it looks I'm going to say you got a deal. Happy trolling

One thing you might do is,change your fuel hose to one that is resistant to the ethanol.Most of the older hoses are not.They start coming apart on the inside and can give you a lot of costly repairs down the line.Also I'd run premium gas,it has less ethanol and don't forget to always add fuel stabilizer.

I run non-ethanol in my main motor so will also run it in the kicker. I need to get rid of the old fuel in the tank and replace it so I can see how it runs.

Can't believe how clean this motor is for being damn near 20 years old.

Looks like a sore dick deal.

The old 2 strokes will run a loooong time with a little care and maintenance.

I have a 20 mariner of the same vintage. They are wonderful motors and easy to maintain. You got a great deal and it's super clean! Was the prop in good shape?

Only thing I would do besides change the gas out like you mentioned is I would put a new impeller in it just to be safe. They aren't very expensive and aren't that hard to do yourself if your handy wrench wise.

Does it shift buy throttle?

Prop is excellent. The shift and throttle are in the handle.

Just to be an ass I have to point out that it's not really a kicker motor but a 8hp motor. Kickers would be geared lower, have a larger prop and a stronger mount and be a 4 stroke. Sorry just one of my pet peeves. Looks like you got a great motor at a great deal.

On a 20 year old motor I would replace the gas hose and the impeller. I also wouldn't worry about ethanohl at all. I was anal about it on my Yamaha 115F4 and T8 the first couple years then realized it doesn't make any difference.

Nice motor. I unhook the gas line and let the motors run out before storing for the winter. They start every spring.

Started on the second pull, but the water stream is intermittent so definitely needs a new impeller. Also smokes pretty good, but I think that will clear up after it's run a bit.

I'm not a mechanical guy what-so-ever and I can replace an impeller in no time with only the basic hand tools I own.

also crack the bottom oil plug; if it runs white, you have a leaky seal in the lower end; if oil, your good to go.

I dropped it off at the local shop for a fluid change, impeller, and tune up.

That is a really clean motor for a great price. I picked up an early '90's Johnson 15hp kicker, for my 22-footer, from the original owner. It still had the break-in oil mix in the tank!

Water won't come out the pee hose very well till the thermostat opens. Even if the impeller is brand spanking new, so don't get alarmed when it doesn't start out squinting like a fire hose when you get it back and fire it up. It will squirt a solid stream when it warms up.

I've had boats most my 72 years, and have never seen this.

75 evinrude is like that. That changed in 77 when the hose was connected to the exhaust cover plate thing (technical word). The Mariner I have does that and I asked my buddy who I bought it from and he said the mechanic who I also know well had just put a head gasket and impeller in it and did the lower unit. It spits water when it's cold. You can hold your hand under it and it's luke warm. As soon as it pumps a hard solid stream you have to pull your hand away, that's the moment the state opens. It takes longer in the winter for both of my outboards. I have had several but my 15 and 20 are the only two that do this. I asked my mechanic and he said it was normal on those particular motors. Apparently the hose is after the stat and not before it, which makes zero sence, but that's what they do. Shrug...

Now I'm down to a 3hp Yamaha, a 3.5hp Tohatsu, and the 15hp Johnson, all 2-strokes.

Outboard poor are you LOL.

Once the thermostat opens should it be a pretty steady stream and then stay that way as long as the motor is running? When I ran the motor it would pee strong, then dribble, then pee strong, then dribble...

And another question. I noticed there is a little play between the prop and the housing, maybe 1/2" of movement. I did some research and found a thread on another board where a guy noticed similar on his motor and a "tech expert" said this is normal and was designed for increased thrust in reverse.

"If you have a cone in front of the nut the slop is normal. When you shift into reverse the prop slides back allowing the exhaust to exit in front of the prop instead of over the blades for higher reverse thrust"

True or BS?

This generally indicates restricted passages, maybe due to salt buildup from running in sea water (if the impeller is fresh).