How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

[CaneCutter79]

I found this at an antique store. Asking $175 with original gas can and motor runs they say. I want this not actually use but to have as a collectors item. I really like the old outboards but I admit, I know nothing about them. I just appreciate where we have come from in the boating world and I'd like to have an old antique outboard as a collector's piece.

All i have is a photo and I'm guessing it's a 1950's model from what I've seen online.

Any ideas for what a running 5.5hp Seahorse is worth?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

If it is running, and they throw in the tank and stand grab it. Antique Stores expect you to haggle, so throw a number at them and see what happens.

I would probably want to see it run though, you have no idea how many times I have been told a motor is in running condition, then you get there and they say it WAS running 20 years ago. There is a big difference. If they cannot show you it running, it is a parts motor as far as Im concerned. Which isnt that bad, I actually only buy non running motors, as I like to restore them myself.

 

[colbyt]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

+1 on what he said. A tank that holds pressure and has the motor connecter is probably worth 50-75.

 

[Paul Kimberley]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

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If the motor has compression, and the tank holds pressure and is clean inside, I think it is a good price by the look of it. Especially if the stand is included. The issue with this age of motor is availability of coils. If no spark, parts are very difficult to replace. As you don't want it for a runner, that won't matter as much.
As an antique dealer, sometimes we have room to negotiate, and sometimes we don't. I sell boat motors, so the stand would not go with the motor, so if they will part with it, and knock a few bucks off, go for it.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

If the motor has compression, and the tank holds pressure and is clean inside, I think it is a good price by the look of it. Especially if the stand is included. The issue with this age of motor is availability of coils. If no spark, parts are very difficult to replace. As you don't want it for a runner, that won't matter as much.
As an antique dealer, sometimes we have room to negotiate, and sometimes we don't. I sell boat motors, so the stand would not go with the motor, so if they will part with it, and knock a few bucks off, go for it.

Sorry Paul but you are misinformed about the ignition on the 50s OMCS. The coils are actually extremely easy to get, they are Universal Coils, available almost anywhere, even here on iboats.

Once you get into the older antiques, I agree, coils become an issue, but not with this CD

 

[nwcove]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

id also be quick to mention to the dealer that the motor is far from antique, that may get a few $$ off the price.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

Here is an example of the coils

FAQs - iboats

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

That is a 1955 CD-12 I would classify this as antique, since it is almost 60 years old. LOL Not to worry though. The consumable components will be available for years. Coils and water pumps were the same ones used on the 6's up till the late 70's As far as other parts go, there are still bunches of these motors still out there, so finding a parts motor won't be hard. I own three of these motors myself and have paid anywhere from $35 to $100 each for them. A couple of them needed some tune up work to get running but all three run now. I would check the compression and the oil in the lower unit. The lower unit will likely have water intrusion, but sometimes a guy gets lucky. Seal kits are about $22 so no biggie. It's a good weekend project on a winter day.

 

[lindy46]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

Looks like a CD-12 - a 1955 model. That would be a real good price for a demonstrated running motor. I have a CD-12 I just went totally through, replaced coils, points, condensers, wires, rebuilt the carb, new gas lines, replaced the water pump impeller and seals in the lower unit. Mine runs like a champ and with the tank, I wouldn't sell it for anywhere near that price, as that is about what I have in the motor and parts, not including all my labor. If I were buying a display motor with no intention of running it, I wouldn't pay more than $100 with tank (parts motor). That motor has little valuable as a collectible, as they made lots of them. It will probably not go up in value much over time. They are great old motors though, if you plan on fixing it up to use. Fairly bullet-proof, and if you refurb them as I have done with mine, they will probably be good for another 50 years.

 

[nwcove]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

That is a 1955 CD-12 I would classify this as antique, since it is almost 60 years old.

......have i been mislead? how old does a motor need to be to be officially antique? thought i only had two antiques ( 1928 and 1932).

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

Well, there are scads of them out there, but it doesn't make them less "antique" LOL They're just more common than your olders ones.
I would classify anything pre-1960 as antique. Time flies by and sometimes we forget that.

 

[nwcove]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

thought there was an "age" thing that designated anything post 1950 ish, up to the very early 70's as "vintage" as opposed to "antique"? as i was told...."old motors, arent like old cars"! but i do like the pre 1960 antique thought! now i can tell the wife that i dont buy old motors.....im an antique collector!!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

There you go. Works every time Yea, anything post 1960 isn't a lot of interest to me either. You could be right about the age thing though. I just got my 1941 Johnson HD-20 fired up tonight.

 

[64osby]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

According to Wiki

The definition of antique varies from source to source, product to product, and year to year.The only known exception to the "100 year rule" would be cars. Since the definition of the term antique requires an item to be at least 100 years old and the item in question must be in its original and unaltered condition, most cars clearly would not meet these terms, as yet. So, cars have generally been considered to be 'antique' if they are roughly 75 years old, or more (some cars can be registered as "classic" when 25 years old,........

Based on this, there are a whole lot of "collectible" motors out there, but not many antiques.

I really like the 50's JohnyRudes, it would be nice to call them antiques but then I'd be an antique too. I'll stick with collectible.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much is an old Johnson Seahorse worth?

I usually call them classics.

 

[Rob5555]

I have a 1958 super sea horse 35 with wiring any idea what it is worth