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Author Topic:   Bearcat Engines

outrage posted 03-04-2002 03:17 PM ET (US)
I have twin 55hp Bearcats (1971 model) on a 21' outrage. I am thinking of repowering the hull and I am curious if anyone knows how much these outboards would be worth if I were to sell them. They are in excellent shape, run well, and I have numerous extra parts for the motors. Any input is appreciated.
JBCornwell posted 03-04-2002 05:50 PM ET (US)
Howdy, Outrage.
There have been several threads here on the subject of those engines and their ancestors, but I don't know how to find them. You will probably also find some stuff on them in the Reference section.
I guess that the pair would be worth 2 or 3 grand to someone restoring a 60s or 70s Whaler and seeking contemporary power. If I ever get myself a Menemsha I would really like one on there, or both on a OR-19 or 21.
A lot would depend on where you are. $500 or $600 in shipping cost would seriously affect what you might get offered.
Red sky at night. . .
JB :)
Tom W Clark posted 03-04-2002 06:43 PM ET (US)
outrage,
They are probably worth less than you think. They are cool to be sure but the demand for them is small. Have you read the reference article about them here: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/history/bearcat.html ?
Someone, I think it was A Li Volsi, on this FORUM bought a pair of these motors back East last year for $250.
Since everyone is wondering this, I'll just go ahead and ask: Where are these motors located?
outrage posted 03-04-2002 08:34 PM ET (US)
The motors are located in Texas. I purchased the boat and motors approx. a year ago from up North. According to the original owner, the motors have not been used in saltwater and he appears to be telling the truth by the looks of the motors. I have used the boat a couple of times in the Colorado River just to see how they perform. I have been trying to sell the boat, which by the way is in mint condition, but the motors always kill the deal. I have been asking a premium price for the boat simply because it was all original and in such excellent condition. I am now considering selling the Bearcat's and replacing them with a 120hp Johnson (1993 model) to make the boat more "sellable". Hell if I can't get more than $250 for the motors, I'll probably keep them.
Steve Leone posted 03-04-2002 11:03 PM ET (US)
outrage, the morors are worth approx a grand each if they are in real good condition. there is a fellow in redding, ca. selling rebuilt ones for $1500.00. as stated they are not going like hotcakes. i have had alot of experience with fixing, selling and rigging these 55hp bearcats. the 4 stroke idea is appealing but the technology is ancient in outboard standards. they are ok in fresh water but get eaten alive in a saltwater enviroment. the fuel pumps are a weak point because when the diaphrm goes they leak fuel into the crankcase. not a good thing (boom). we have upgraded to electric fuel pumps and electronic ignition but they are sill car motors any way you slice it mounted on weak gale outboard lower unit. again they are cool but you practically have to be a full time mechanic to own one. still 55hp for $1000.00, fourstroke is the cheapest around. thats what i got for the last one and it was in very good condition rebuilt. at $500.00 ea. they should go away. good luck, steve out.
PMUCCIOLO posted 03-05-2002 12:58 AM ET (US)
Have you considered marketing the boat without power? Repowering with a 130 may not increase its market appeal much, especially if that would not be the preferred power of a potential buyer.
tabasco posted 03-05-2002 07:15 AM ET (US)
Outrage-
how difficult would it be to put Texas in your profile........would you be revealing a hidden secret? don't understand.......
outrage posted 03-05-2002 08:29 AM ET (US)
Appreciate the information guys. Very helpful.
Tabasco - I am not trying to hide anything, I haven't updated my profile since I first joined the site. Didn't really think that it was a big deal! Why are you so worried about it? Why don't you go pick on the Whalerguy if you have nothing better to do.
A Li Volsi posted 03-05-2002 09:11 AM ET (US)
The Bearcat engines in question will bring about $500.00 apiece, if they are in excellent conditon. I have bought a half dozen of them, none over $250.00, all in working order and many with extra parts. They are desirable to the people interested in antiques and possibly repowering an older Whaler with some original Whaler power from the sixties-early seventies. They do run well and are very good on gas-but if they break down parts are available but difficult to find. There is a very good web site for info pertaining to these motors, and Scott, the web site designer does offer some videos that he has produced for rebuilding the engines.
Bigshot posted 03-05-2002 10:11 AM ET (US)
Pop the cap and make her a low-profile and you'll get double your money in Texas:)
WildMagnolia posted 03-06-2002 10:24 AM ET (US)
I'm a member of the Antique Outboard Motor Club here in Texas. The given price of $250 to $500 each is on target for excellent examples. You should post an ad on the National web site.
However, the problems are... 1) they are big and heavy motors (limited market), 2) There are so many good used fresh water motors in Texas. Good Luck!
lhg posted 03-06-2002 09:10 PM ET (US)
You might want to get in touch with Scott Stewart in Pennsylvania, who runs the Bearcat equivalent of this site. I think he is always looking for engines to buy. Go to the Reference section on Bearcat engines, and JimH has a link to this site, near the end of the article.
PMUCCIOLO posted 03-06-2002 11:27 PM ET (US)
How much do you want for the boat (w/o power of any kind)?
PMUCCIOLO posted 03-14-2002 12:48 AM ET (US)
Is this the same boat listed in the summer of last year for around $8000?
Chesapeake posted 03-14-2002 11:03 AM ET (US)
Outrage: Is the same boat you listed for $19,500 last summer, bought earlier in last summer in Virginia?
PMUCCIOLO, who knows - you may be right. It sure sounds very much like the same 71 w/ Twin Bearcats that SCAN1 advertised on this forum in June 2001 - also located in Virginia.
PMUCCIOLO posted 03-18-2002 12:49 AM ET (US)
Chesapeake,
I think we may have a P.T. Barnum among us! Who is the "sucker" here?

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Author	Topic: Bearcat Engines
outrage	posted 03-04-2002 03:17 PM ET (US) I have twin 55hp Bearcats (1971 model) on a 21' outrage. I am thinking of repowering the hull and I am curious if anyone knows how much these outboards would be worth if I were to sell them. They are in excellent shape, run well, and I have numerous extra parts for the motors. Any input is appreciated.
JBCornwell	posted 03-04-2002 05:50 PM ET (US) Howdy, Outrage. There have been several threads here on the subject of those engines and their ancestors, but I don't know how to find them. You will probably also find some stuff on them in the Reference section. I guess that the pair would be worth 2 or 3 grand to someone restoring a 60s or 70s Whaler and seeking contemporary power. If I ever get myself a Menemsha I would really like one on there, or both on a OR-19 or 21. A lot would depend on where you are. $500 or $600 in shipping cost would seriously affect what you might get offered. Red sky at night. . . JB :)
Tom W Clark	posted 03-04-2002 06:43 PM ET (US) outrage, They are probably worth less than you think. They are cool to be sure but the demand for them is small. Have you read the reference article about them here: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/history/bearcat.html ? Someone, I think it was A Li Volsi, on this FORUM bought a pair of these motors back East last year for $250. Since everyone is wondering this, I'll just go ahead and ask: Where are these motors located?
outrage	posted 03-04-2002 08:34 PM ET (US) The motors are located in Texas. I purchased the boat and motors approx. a year ago from up North. According to the original owner, the motors have not been used in saltwater and he appears to be telling the truth by the looks of the motors. I have used the boat a couple of times in the Colorado River just to see how they perform. I have been trying to sell the boat, which by the way is in mint condition, but the motors always kill the deal. I have been asking a premium price for the boat simply because it was all original and in such excellent condition. I am now considering selling the Bearcat's and replacing them with a 120hp Johnson (1993 model) to make the boat more "sellable". Hell if I can't get more than $250 for the motors, I'll probably keep them.
Steve Leone	posted 03-04-2002 11:03 PM ET (US) outrage, the morors are worth approx a grand each if they are in real good condition. there is a fellow in redding, ca. selling rebuilt ones for $1500.00. as stated they are not going like hotcakes. i have had alot of experience with fixing, selling and rigging these 55hp bearcats. the 4 stroke idea is appealing but the technology is ancient in outboard standards. they are ok in fresh water but get eaten alive in a saltwater enviroment. the fuel pumps are a weak point because when the diaphrm goes they leak fuel into the crankcase. not a good thing (boom). we have upgraded to electric fuel pumps and electronic ignition but they are sill car motors any way you slice it mounted on weak gale outboard lower unit. again they are cool but you practically have to be a full time mechanic to own one. still 55hp for $1000.00, fourstroke is the cheapest around. thats what i got for the last one and it was in very good condition rebuilt. at $500.00 ea. they should go away. good luck, steve out.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 03-05-2002 12:58 AM ET (US) Have you considered marketing the boat without power? Repowering with a 130 may not increase its market appeal much, especially if that would not be the preferred power of a potential buyer.
tabasco	posted 03-05-2002 07:15 AM ET (US) Outrage- how difficult would it be to put Texas in your profile........would you be revealing a hidden secret? don't understand.......
outrage	posted 03-05-2002 08:29 AM ET (US) Appreciate the information guys. Very helpful. Tabasco - I am not trying to hide anything, I haven't updated my profile since I first joined the site. Didn't really think that it was a big deal! Why are you so worried about it? Why don't you go pick on the Whalerguy if you have nothing better to do.
A Li Volsi	posted 03-05-2002 09:11 AM ET (US) The Bearcat engines in question will bring about $500.00 apiece, if they are in excellent conditon. I have bought a half dozen of them, none over $250.00, all in working order and many with extra parts. They are desirable to the people interested in antiques and possibly repowering an older Whaler with some original Whaler power from the sixties-early seventies. They do run well and are very good on gas-but if they break down parts are available but difficult to find. There is a very good web site for info pertaining to these motors, and Scott, the web site designer does offer some videos that he has produced for rebuilding the engines.
Bigshot	posted 03-05-2002 10:11 AM ET (US) Pop the cap and make her a low-profile and you'll get double your money in Texas:)
WildMagnolia	posted 03-06-2002 10:24 AM ET (US) I'm a member of the Antique Outboard Motor Club here in Texas. The given price of $250 to $500 each is on target for excellent examples. You should post an ad on the National web site. However, the problems are... 1) they are big and heavy motors (limited market), 2) There are so many good used fresh water motors in Texas. Good Luck!
lhg	posted 03-06-2002 09:10 PM ET (US) You might want to get in touch with Scott Stewart in Pennsylvania, who runs the Bearcat equivalent of this site. I think he is always looking for engines to buy. Go to the Reference section on Bearcat engines, and JimH has a link to this site, near the end of the article.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 03-06-2002 11:27 PM ET (US) How much do you want for the boat (w/o power of any kind)?
PMUCCIOLO	posted 03-14-2002 12:48 AM ET (US) Is this the same boat listed in the summer of last year for around $8000?
Chesapeake	posted 03-14-2002 11:03 AM ET (US) Outrage: Is the same boat you listed for $19,500 last summer, bought earlier in last summer in Virginia? PMUCCIOLO, who knows - you may be right. It sure sounds very much like the same 71 w/ Twin Bearcats that SCAN1 advertised on this forum in June 2001 - also located in Virginia.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 03-18-2002 12:49 AM ET (US) Chesapeake, I think we may have a P.T. Barnum among us! Who is the "sucker" here?