HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Anybody know what this thing is ? I've seen similar things used to hook up steering connections to another motor but I've never seen one mounted here. It is actually a very nice item. Nicely machined...doesn't look homemade. Thanks.

 

[raczekp1]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

is it homemade cynk antyrust anode?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

It look's it mat be part of a snap 0n joint to steer a small kicker motor with the large on.

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

could it be something to keep the motor from pulling to the right?like a steering stabilizer?,never saw that before,,,does look like some sort of snap on swivel for something tho

 

[Mas]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

Looks like a steering link to steer a kicker motor at the wheel...or a trailer hitch to pull another boat...just kidding!!

Mas

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

i thought that too,,,alittle bitty hitch for a tiny tiny boat

 

[Doug N.]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

Could be someone had twin motors and hooked them together to steer. Just a guess.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

The steering connector theory was my first thought. But the connecting arm would have to be underwater. Never seen that before. Could have been better assembled if that's how it was used. And with the thing mounted on the port side, this motor would heve to be mounted on the starboard side of the transom to hook to main motor without any joints or angle connectors. I've usually seen kickers mounted on the port side (I think anyway). Like I said this thing really looks nice, not like somebody just threw some stuff together. Never thought about the sacrificial anode theory. I have no idea what this thing is made of. I also thought about the "mini hitch" theory. Since it doesn't have a propeller, maybe the PO hooked the boat and trailer up to his tow vehicle and had some "mini implements" he hooked up to the thing. I really do hope someone has seen this before. It is driving me crazy.

 

[Doug N.]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

If it is a zinc anode, it will be soft metal and will show pitting even in fresh water. I was surprised at how fast those thing go away.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

Here it is off the motor. The stud/ball thing and nut are non-magnetic. The only thing magnetic is the lockwasher. It really even looks to small to be used as a steering connector. The part where the connector would "snap" on is pretty thin.
9/16" nut...1/2" on stud

 

[samo_ott]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

What the heck is that? My guess would have been the same as the aboves... Maybe someone has seen it and will reply... funny... I would remove it also! I'd also try and fill the hole in somehow...

 

[mikesea]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

a steering link, the 18 may have been the kicker,

 

[boobie]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

I agree with MIKESEA , years back they had a hook up from the main mtr to the kicker. You had a quick disconect link from the main mtr for the kicker. When under way trolling with the kicker and main mtr shut off you used the main mtr for steering. This kicker was on the strd side.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

I guess I'll just have to settle for steering connector as the answer. I'm still not 100 % convinced though. I can't understand why you would want to mount the steering connections down there....under water.

 

[bktheking]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

That is where the rod from the main engine would have connected, it's not an anode or anything else.

Look at this link, same thing.

http://www.bellrpg.net/donsmarine/MA/grouppart.asp?MAJ=032&PRI=153&SEC=584&GRP=3583

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

Hey that's it!!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

My guess is, the boat that the steering conncector was used on, had an I/O for the main motor. There really isn't anything, to join the two together, except for the outdrive, so that is my best guess. Joining the two together at the cavitation plates would allow the driver to steer at the wheel, while operating the 18 as the trolling motor.

 

[F_R]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

I think zephyr hit the nail on the head. If it were anything other than an I/O, it would be an awfully dumb place to put a steering tie bar. I'm not too sure it is very smart with the I/O either.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

DUH.......as a boater who has owned around 15-20 O/B's in my boating career, and never having owned an I/O, I never even thought about the main motor being an I/O. Yep, that would explain why the connectior was mounted down there.

 

[restornator]

Re: HELP!! What is this THING on my 1963 Evinrude 18HP ??

if it was linked to an I/O, how was it attached to the transom? auxillary motor mount?