first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

[steelespike]

Seems I read somewhere that one of the smaller outboard companies developed the first full production gear shift outboard.I find it interesting that 60 some years later it's still the same basic system.Is this because its the best system or do to a lack of developement?
Also, If I recall right I think West Bend/Elgin had the first fiberglass cowl/cover.Any other signifigant firsts you can think of?

 

[KingHardcor]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

I just tore my LU apart and am amazed at how simple it is. Sure, it's a "crash box" transmision, but it works very well. They could add syncros and such but then you start adding weight and price and size etc.

A charging system was a nice addition to outboards too.

 

[EN2]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

I think Scott Atwater came out with FNR about the same time that OMC did.

 

[steelespike]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

I did a little research Scott Atwater had fnr on 3 models in 49 OMC had one.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

There is nothing wrong with the current system -- the problem with it is the "operator". When you take you time moving the shifter that is when the damage occurs as the clutch dogs skip and grind off the the edges. Move the lever with authority and there will never be an issue. Some things just don't need to be changed.

 

[5150abf]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

I think it is just one of those things they got right way back then, it is simple as a stone and does what it is suppose to, don't know how you would improve on it.

 

[JimS123]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Google Evinrude's 100 Year Anniversary Video. They list a dozen industry "firsts" they claim to have been responsible for. Among them is the full gearshift.

The oldest fiberglass cowl I have is on a 1946 Goodyear SeaBee, made by OMC's Gale Division. My 1946 Scotts and Elgins all have steel cowls.

 

[F_R]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Jim, you sure that Sea Bee is a '46 with fiberglass cowl? I don't think so.

Anyhoo, my 1918 Evinrude Row Boat Motor has a Forward-Reverse shift. Shifting it causes the whole lower unit to swing around and push the opposite directon.

Then there were other old Evinrudes that "shifted" by retarding the spark so far that it would stall and kick back to run in the opposite direction.

Mercury perfected that system with their 6 cylinder "Dockbusters".

 

[JimS123]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Jim, you sure that Sea Bee is a '46 with fiberglass cowl? I don't think so.

Anyhoo, my 1918 Evinrude Row Boat Motor has a Forward-Reverse shift. Shifting it causes the whole lower unit to swing around and push the opposite directon.

Then there were other old Evinrudes that "shifted" by retarding the spark so far that it would stall and kick back to run in the opposite direction.

Mercury perfected that system with their 6 cylinder "Dockbusters".

Yup, brain fart again. I was thinking of one motor and writing about another.

The old RBM "gearshift" was a unique idea - maybe even the forerunner of the 360 degree turning motor. Another oddity about the RBM was that the powerhead stayed stationary and the tiller only turned the lower unit. In any event, it could only be operated as a tiller motor, and it was a direct drive.

In the OMC video where they claim a list of "firsts", their claim to fame re. a F-N-R gearshift was that the motors couild now be operated from the front of the boat with a steering wheel, just like a car.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Caille had a full gearshift back in the 19-teens. Theirs was done with a variable pitch propeller operated from the tiller. Nice system and it does work. I've run a later model 109 with the system and it does a nice job once you get used to it.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

1949 was the first year for "gear shift". Johnson's QD10 and a few different Scott Atwaters had it.

As innovative and as interesting as I think they are, the other reversing mechanisms did not involve "shifting of gears". Most of them did not have a neutral. The early 50's Gales (5hp deluxe) and Mercurys (Mark 5) have a neutral clutch . Both featured full rotation to allow reverse. Neither involved ?shifting of gears?.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Correct. Scott Atwater's system used the shift clutch engaging one of two gears on the vertical shaft with a single gear on the propshaft. The Johnson used a single driveshaft pinion gear, with a clutch engaging one of two gears on the prop shaft - the design that would eventually become the norm across most of the industry.

My Caille does indeed have "neutral" when the prop blades are at 0-degrees...

 

[JasonAych]

Re: first full gear shift?and other ? & observations.

Does it really stand still? I didn't think about a 0 degree position. I would think that would be near impossible due to the shape of the blades. I will have to take a better look at a friend?s Caille 5 speed. Apparently, the "American" also had this feature.