1957 Cadillac Transom Weight (Re-power boat)

[jon419]

I thought long and hard about where to post this...I hope I got it in the right topic. :/

Ok, I have inherited a 1957 Cadillac boat from my wife's grandfather. It currently has a 35 HP Johnson Javelin on it that is no longer running, hasn't run in many many years. My wife desperately wants to get the boat back out on the water so that she can relive the good old days, those times she spent just her and her grandfather out on the lake.

I am looking to essentially re-power the boat. I have my eye on a new 30 HP Evinrude, but I think it weighs about 50 lbs more than the current Javelin. Does anyone have any details on what the maximum weight on the Cadillac would be?

If I need to provide more information, I can. I am just starting to learn all I can about this boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Isn't that an aluminum boat? As long as the transom is in good shape the weight difference is minimal I will be willing to bet that the new 30 will outrun the old 35

 

[jon419]

Thanks for the information. I was just wondering how concerned people would be about a 50 lbs weight difference on an old aluminum boat. The original being 135 lbs and the new one im looking at being 185 lbs.

Guess my next concern will be leaks on the rivets.

Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

If possible shift the fuel can as far forward as you can, 6gals of gas is equal to most of the weight difference between the 2 OBs.

Off hand I don't know exactly how the Cadillac's transom is constructed, but as long as it's in sound condition, the 50lbs shouldn't be too much weight.

Don't discount the value of that 35hp Javelin, if it's a 1957/8, operable or not, gold or red cowl, it's a great motor. Some one should want it. I don't mean to suggest it's worth a great deal, but they are a frequently desired motor. I for one would be happy to take it off your hands

 

[pckeen]

Shouldn't be a problem - put it this way. Would you be worried if you put an 8 year old kid in the back of the boat or a couple of cans of gas?

However, before installing the new motor, have the installer review the transom and make sure it is solid. If it isn't - get it replaced, as the extra weight will place some extra stress on the transom.

To give you some comfort, I have a 68 Starcraft Holiday, and went from a 70's Johnson 115hp to a one year old Yamaha F90. That change added close to 150lbs in weight - no problem whatsoever.

 

[jon419]

Thanks for the info everyone! I really appreciate it! As for the 1957 Johnson Javelin, it was the gold one, sadly, some idiot painted it! The boat motor was going to be a restore project with my father and I, but sadly he passed away in August. So now my wife and I are done with the boat sitting in our garage and we just want to get it out on the water.

I'll probably end up pulling the current OB off the boat, hang it on the mount rack we have for it and look at selling it. It has all the electrical hook up for it so it can be remote started, I paid an arm and a leg for the original service manuals and it actually gets spark on one of the coils. The point we were at was trying to get the flywheel off so we could investigate further, but the damn think would budge.

Anyway, i just turned this post into an engine post, my apologies.

Again, thanks for all the information. I look forward to spending lots of time on here and soaking up as much information as I can!

 

[3rdtimesthecharm]

You could post that motor for sale on the Antique Outboard Motor Club website.They have a free classified section.

 

[64osby]

You might find a little more info on your boat here. http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Cadillac

Personally I would keep the motor as a project. The flywheel will come off it is just a matter of time and effort. Had a few that needed heat, penetrating oil and a few days of increasing torque on the flywheel puller.

They are simple motors with a fantastic look.

A little added weight from a newer motor will not effect your boat unless the transom is bad.

We also like pictures of old tin boats.

 

[bonz_d]

Back to your earlier post. As long as it hasn't been sitting full of water thru freeze and thaw cycles I don't think you'll have a lot of leaky rivets.

 

[BoatingCop]

I wouldn't worry about the extra weight either. I have an old aluminum and re did the transom. Now the back of that boat won't budge, and it's made out of thinner aluminum than most! As long as your transom is solid, you're good. As far as the rivets, they're fairly simple to replace and seal up with some 5200. Good luck! Do you have any pictures of the boat and the Javelin? Sounds like a cool boat!