Tohatsu motor....sunk...pickled...good opportunity or run away?

[LocalHero]

I've been offered a free hole-in-the-water that I want to try to not pour too much money into. It's an '86 14' Mckee with an '86 55hp Evinrude attached to it. I've been told third hand that the motor just need a carb rebuild and maybe that's even true but I'm assuming I'll be putting a bunch of money/effort into it to make it dependable.

Well now I've gotten a lead on a 35hp Tohatsu 4 stroke that had been sunk (saltwater) and I'm wondering if that would be a better idea if it's cheap enough. The motor has been "pickled" (I'm told) and I'm not sure what else has been done to it. Is there a way to tell if the Tohatsu is worth pursuing? Any simple tests to check the integrity?
With luck I'll be able to pick up the Mckee/Evinrude tomorrow and start looking it over in earnest. The Tohatsu is still just barely above rumor stage but it's an enticing rumor. I'm guessing the 35hp will be close to the low end of power most would want for this boat but I'm just thinking of local inshore fishing and I think it would be fine for me if it's dependable.

So my questions are:
Is it possible for a motor to be sunk in salt water and be brought back to dependability?
If it is, is there a way to check on the quality of the restore?repair?salvage? job that was done to the motor?
I'm not a very experienced boater (except kayaks) so if there's any obvious questions I should be asking about the Tohatsu, I'm all ears.

Sorry I don't have more details at this time like how long it was under or how soon it was dealt with after being brought up but I'll try to learn more tomorrow.

Thanks,
John

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tohatsu motor....sunk...pickled...good opportunity or run away?

Find out what the actual model of the Tohatsu might be. Odds are it's an ancient junk pile. There are Zero parts for any 35 hp Tohatsu at this time, and to my knowledge, never has been a 35 hp 4-stroke. There are two 3-cylinder 30 hp versions, one with 3 carbs, and the other is EFI.

 

[LocalHero]

Re: Tohatsu motor....sunk...pickled...good opportunity or run away?

Find out what the actual model of the Tohatsu might be. Odds are it's an ancient junk pile. There are Zero parts for any 35 hp Tohatsu at this time, and to my knowledge, never has been a 35 hp 4-stroke. There are two 3-cylinder 30 hp versions, one with 3 carbs, and the other is EFI.

It's probably a 30hp and I mis-remember what my buddy said about it. I'll probably see him today but I don't know if he'll be able to find out more about the motor til later this week. He works at the high-end resort that owns the motor.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu motor....sunk...pickled...good opportunity or run away?

Is it possible for a motor to be sunk in salt water and be brought back to dependability? Yes

If it is, is there a way to check on the quality of the restore?repair?salvage? job that was done to the motor?
No
I'm not a very experienced boater (except kayaks) so if there's any obvious questions I should be asking about the Tohatsu Everything is based on the honesty and ability of the person that is answering the question(s). That is why a used engine is always a gamble.

 

[LocalHero]

Re: Tohatsu motor....sunk...pickled...good opportunity or run away?

Is it possible for a motor to be sunk in salt water and be brought back to dependability? Yes

If it is, is there a way to check on the quality of the restore?repair?salvage? job that was done to the motor?
No
I'm not a very experienced boater (except kayaks) so if there's any obvious questions I should be asking about the Tohatsu Everything is based on the honesty and ability of the person that is answering the question(s). That is why a used engine is always a gamble.

Well I was supposed to pick up the free boat today and talk to my buddy about the tohatsu but that's not happening so it'll have to wait til next opportunity. Tohatsu Guru, based on your name, you sound like the person to help with my questions! When I can learn more about the motor, I'll come back with the information but what I know so far is that some guys were working on the dock and somehow sank the boat with the Tohatsu motor. They (or their insurance co) paid to have the motor salvaged (which included pickling) and the whole process cost somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000 so it sounds like they likely had it done by professionals (rather than doing it by themselves). I might be able to see the paperwork and find out who did it and talk to them. There are some marine places around here that I'd put a lot of trust in and some not so much...