FNG with a question

flyingdutchman

Recruit
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
2
Hi guys,

I've been lurking for the last couple days reading posts and searching for some info, and now I think it's time for a first post.

My Dad recently acquired a 10 or 12 foot aluminum rowboat from the 60's in a trade with a neighbor. He and Mom have started fishing together. The oars he has are a bit too short, and Mom is not as petite as she once was, and he needs an outboard. :) Me being the good son that I am, I want to surprise him with a motor. I have come across an old Elgin for $30 locally (my budget is about 50 bucks unfortunately - got a baby on the way). I believe it's a late 40s/early 50s 1.5 horse because it's air cooled. From what I can dig up through this site, they are good running engines as far as vintage outboards go. He like quirky engines like the Seagul, and this seems to be an american version of a seagul.

So my question is:

a) Is 30 bucks worth it, or should I keep looking (found 3 hp '60s Johnson for 125, and older evinrudes and merc for around 100).

b) Assuming that I can get this engine running (pretty sure of that) will it be way to underpowered to move a john boat with 2 people in it? Slow is OK, but what if it doesn't move at all?

Thanks for your kind indulgence!
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: FNG with a question

There was a 1.25hp air cooled Elgin and a 2hp. Collectors like the 1.25hp. The 2 is OK too, but there are a lot more of them. The 1.25 should be well worth 30 bucks if it is complete and has hope of running. The 2, well, depends on condition. Bothe were built by West Bend. None of the above are to be confused with the Eska-built ones.
http://www.yankeeaomci.org/feature_outboard-2.htm

They will push the boat....slowly. Beats the heck out of rowing.
 

flyingdutchman

Recruit
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
2
Re: FNG with a question

Thanks for the reply.

It is one of the air cooled ones, and it looks to be late 40s from all the info I can come up with. It's all there, but it's definitely not in great shape, some dents and faded paint on the cover. I think I'll hold out for something bigger. I was going to nab it anyway because it's cool and cheap, but I don't need any more projects (I have to repeat that phrase to myself a lot!):)
 
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