Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

[SirIce]

Hi all,

First post here, first post about boats (sea, water, boats ...etc world in general)

I always loved the water and wanted to get my own little boat one day to see if I like boating.

Having read the past week or so about outboards, different brands and the like, I found a Clinton Chief J5 model
(I think its a 1965 3HP) and was wondering if this is a good starting point?

It is in running condition, negotiated the price down to $125, so I am just wondering what to look out for?
Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

Howdy, Sirice.

Welcome to iboats.

I am prejudiced against noisy, smelly, single cylinder, air cooled outboards, Sirice. No logic, just prejudice.

I suggest you keep looking, and for a JohnnyRude 3hp to 4.5hp twin. They are smooth, quiet and a joy to use. The few extra bux you might need are a small investment in greater boating pleasure for you and your children. . . .and maybe even their children. . .for many years.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

im with JB, pass on that motor, you can/will find a nice omc for a good price, and be able to get parts easily, work on it yourself, and enjoy many years of boating for a small cost.

(im not against smelly, noisy, one lungers.....i have a small flock of seagulls, they are water cooled, but they dont come much noisier, smokier or messier!!!! but for an enjoyable day on the lake.....omc is truely the way to go)

 

[SirIce]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

Thanks guys for the feedback.

to further elaborate on my situation, since I do not know if I am going to like this newly formed hobby
of mine and how much I'm gonna be able to do it here in the south suberbs of Chicago, I was really looking
to minimize my expenditure for the time being.

But I hear you...

I also found a 3hp Evinrude, is that under the Clinton category of messy noisy motors ?

 

[nwcove]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

need more info on the rude, but its still worlds apart from the air cooled clinton. a good motor will have you hooked on boating/fishing,a bad motor will end your newly formed hobby on the first outing.

 

[SirIce]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

Emailed the owner for more info already, but i do have a couple of images of it.

 

[JB]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

OOOoooooohh!! That's one! Exactly what I was talking about.

Get him to demonstrate it (in water).

Even if it needs minor repairs that was the best outboard series ever made, by anyone.

If that doesn't make you fall in love with boating forever it is in high demand and you can always get full value for her.

 

[SirIce]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

Thanks JB
will see how it goes with the owner.

 

[duckland23]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

Hi I owned a clinton 5 hp motor from the 1950's . Im unsure of the model number , but it was easy to work on . It Had no gears like forward-N-Reverse . You needed to turn the motor around to reverse the motor , thats sucked but it was a fine motor .It also Had a remote gas tank , not pressure tank a modern one that used a fuel pump . The motor was made by eska and they made a very good one . Im told that the water pump is about 30.00 for them and you can find it on ebay if needed to . Clinton cheif was a great motor , Mine was long shaft too not the best for shalow water . I paid 50.00 dollars back in 1984 or so . It ran like a champ and started on the first pull ,if you have new points and new coils .You can find most parts for them ,like seal kits , and carb rebuild kits too , I think you can also find a coil as well . I would make sure it runs .

 

[duckland23]

Re: Clinton Chief J-5, yay or nay?

I would make sure it pumping water too ,and see how it runs too . Dont buy it unless you see it run .