Merc, What Year??

[Swamp Monster]

Can anybody here give me an idea what year Merc 10 horse this might be? I'm guessing early 70's. I don't have a serial number or I could have found out on my own. I currently don't have access to the boat, just the pics. May buy depending on price/year etc.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/2765100_07881.JPG

There is a pic of the whole boat/trailer combo in my gallery. It's an old 14' Smoker Craft. Guy wants $800 for it all, includes oars and a couple mushroom anchors. Supposedly it runs great. The guy took it in trade for some construction work and thought he might get his kids into fishing but no luck. I figure, if it does run good and parts aren't impossible to find, might make a good little river beater!

[k8vol]

looks like about a 1974 sounds like a good buy for 800.00 the motor is worth 400 on it's own plus boat and trailer so go for it if you can use it . steve k8vol

[Swamp Monster]

Thanks!
My guess from other pics I have seen of similar Mercs was 72-74. My concern was parts availability and from some searches on the web, parts look readily available ofcourse for a price. www.oldmercs.com is a pretty interesting site...some cool old outboards as well!

[Burksee]

SM, From the pics that's a right nice lookin little rig! It’s hard to find a 14' boat with a decent size motor and a trailer for under a grand, around here anyways! Unless she's got a lot of leaks I don’t think it would be a bad investment. I'd suggest checking the tires on the trailer and at least repack the bearings before you take it too far. Two new tires/wheels, bearings, seals and bearing buddies will eat up a hundred dollar bill in a heart beat. As far parts for older Merc's, shouldn’t be a problem and you shouldn’t really need anything to much more that an impeller and some lower unit seals. Is the guy "asking" $800 or is he "firm"? Selling a boat in the dead of winter is like trying to sell a snowmobile on Memorial Day weekend! Doesn't hurt to ask and possibly negotiate what a "take it home today, cash in hand bottom line price" would be!

Good Luck!

[Swamp Monster]

He's hasn't tried selling it yet at all. This guy is a home builder and my father handles all of his kitchen and bath work. It's been sitting in the garage of this model home for almost a year, used only one time. He told my father he was gonna sell it but hasn't got around to it yet. I told my father to get some pics.....he said the motor was a mid eighties model but I was doubtfull...and my suspiscions were correct! Anyway, the guy said the price for now is $800, but I suspect if he makes any effort to sell, he'll ask more. The boat is very clean on the inside....no dents etc....actually looks like it hasn't been used much. A few cosmetic scraches in the paint etc, but for a boat that age, pretty nice.
I did my taxes last night and Uncle Sam put a hurtin' to me, and that may end up making the decision for me. If I don't take it, I'll see if i can post it on the site so a member here can take advantage!

[TONGA]

Blue stripe on a metal cowl,,,yep that's a 70's motor all day.
parts no problem!,,,the biggest problem with those is shaft gets grooved where the seals make contact,but you can normally re-seal them if they don't have a billion hrs on them.
check the lower unit for water before you buy.