Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So i have a 1995 Mercury 60hp on my toon now, runs, new lower unit from Mercury (that was painful to do but had to be done), who knows how many hours.....but it runs. I've been wanting to get into a 90hp preferably Mercury but willing to use other brand, just so I can pull a tube or just get across the river a little quicker.
So guy has a 1990 Mercury 90hp he's selling or looking to trade for a lower HP motor, preferably Mercury so he can keep his controls. Looking at pics it's not showroom finish, it's a used motor. Not sure of the shaft length yet but let's just say it's the same as mine.
Would you make the trade?
The thought of getting a motor and having to replace another lower end or a power head just worries me because that's more money out the door (I know, it's a boat).
So.....would you?

If both motors are in similar condition, which might be hard to tell, it's not necessarily a bad deal.. But my first question would be why would he want to trade down?? There's nothing he can't do with the 90 that he could do with the 60. Sounds like he's got a motor with problems.

Nope, I would not trade. I've been burnt on most trades and don't trust trading. I would sell mine and search for one for sale. JMHO

I know what I have, what I have invested, and it works....and that's the part that is having me not trade. I just don't know and I'm not really willing to take a chance. I'm hoping closer to winter people will be trying to off load their motors at a great price...heck, maybe even the whole boat

Could you possibly take his current boat and motor for a spin to check for problems and function? Then possible drop the lower unit oil and check for contaminants.....just a thought.

79 year old guy in our campground just bought an old Hurricane with newer Johnson 90 just because he wanted the motor for his pontoon. Had it delivered, no trailer, had it sitting on someone else's dock for a week or so. We got back to the dock the other day just as it was sinking.