Outboard parts availability

[Cevin c Taylor]

I have a 4.5 hp Craftsman Ted Williams outboard - probably early 70's vintage.  I bought it because it was in good shape and was a good price.  However, I just broke a part on it, and I'm finding that getting parts for this thing is going to be a real problem since they are not made any more.  Some are available through Sears, but it's hit and miss.  I see lots of Johnsons and Evinrudes available on CL that would be fine for my CP 16, and which are in the 200-300 range.  Most are 70's vintage as well.  However, I've heard that parts are easy to come by even for these older motors.  Does anyone have any input on this?  I'm pretty good at tinkering with things, and so as long as I can get the parts, I think can take care of most things on my own.

[atrometer]

I've had 2 Evinrude "Fleetwins" 3 hp.  Bought used for $2-300 as you said, smooth twin cylinders, and only 25#s.  There is a local guy that specializes in buying/repairing them and has no trouble getting parts.  I think they're great motors, especially for a CP 16 (I have a 2 hp air cooled Honda now).  Used my Evinrudes and sold them both for what I paid - 1950s models - loved them! Negative is no neutral.

[skip1930]

" However, I just broke a part on it "

What part?

skip.

[Cevin c Taylor]

Skip - it's a hollow brass bolt that is part of the carb.  Sears still sells a similar bolt for the 5.5 hp model.  I'm hoping that will fit, but I won't know until I buy it.

[wes]

Better move fast - no telling whether poor Sears will be in business a month from now. Those guys are on life support.

[MacGyver]

Really?
I am surprised, ours seems to do alright, and my father in law works for sears, selling windows and doors, etc. seems to be doing well.

There is a lot I wont buy from sears though..... prices seem a bit high to me....... maybe they offer something I havent seen, like a service or something.....

Mac

[wes]

Really.

http://etfdailynews.com/2014/01/16/the-collapse-of-j-c-penney-company-inc-and-sears-holdings-corp/

[MacGyver]

Wes,
Thanks for the article. A few things that really hit me are the numbers for one, which is sad, one thing I didnt know. If the company is working hard to hold itself up globally (meaning just as a company) then I can see why they are closing stores, which would be a good cost saving maneuver. I noticed too that the list of closing stores are in a lot of blue states in the union which is sad to see, but I have noticed a business decline in those states over the last 10 years on trends. I am in Illinois (as you know) and our sales at the marina is poor at best...... and I watch in Oklahoma, sales increase and they are adding 2 250 slip marinas, while we fight to keep ours open.

That is where my father in law works for Sears. Their stores are busier and such from what I have seen when we visit..... ours seem slow in comparison here, but not horribly bad. JCPenney just did a restructure and changed the prices not too long ago. When we were there the other day, it was tolerable to look at the prices. Sears seems to be high on a lot of things...... I do see the appliance department people sitting and chatting it up with themselves but the other departments seem somewhat busy from time to time.

I in no way meant this as political, just something I have noticed, I have kept my eye on things because I still have a long while to be working before I can even think retirement.......... I have pondered hard over the last few years of moving because of trends and hearing of companies closing up really is kinda scary...... especially our power house companies.

Mac

[brackish]

one of the things I always liked about Sears is their ability to maintain access to service parts.  It will be sad if they go under.  However, not surprising.  The last major item I attempted to purchase from them was a lawn tractor.  After taking the discounts that were currently advertised, I went to pay with my Sears mastercard.  It had expired from lack of use because I only generally buy big ticket items at Sears.  It was a requirement that I use the card for the discount.  When the sales lady renewed the account they could not sell me the tractor until they had the actual hard copy from the bank.  I said, look I'll just pay cash today, I'm just going to pay it off immediately when the first bill comes in.  No deal, can't do it, all the way to the store manager.  Nobody is empowered to make a good decision. 

The neighbor across the street is the ex store manager for that particular sears.  It is my opinion and he confirmed it that Sears doesn't care about selling merchandise, they only focus on selling credit and service contracts.  My best friend was an appliance salesman and the top seller in the store and district.  He was let go because he never sold his quota of service agreements.  Something is bad wrong there.

[Cevin c Taylor]

The part came yesterday and it fits.  I ordered the analogous part fior the 5.5 hp, because they were out of the ones for the 4.5.  The motor fired right up.