How old is old ?

[G DANE]

Its amazing to see how many old outboards there still are running !<br /><br />BUT<br /><br />3 years ago when i returned from first trip of season with my 25HP 1973 Evin running at one cyl ( runs like a champ now on brotherinlawboat ! ), ready to unscrew it and throw it in the water, the chief of our little harbor said to me:<br /><br />So your motor is too old and finished 26 yrs old ? how about you and i then ? We had a good laugh.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How old is old ?

Hi G Dane,<br /> As with people, old is only how you feel. If a motor has been taken care of, maintained properly, and has been run on a steady diet of good quality fuel and oil, then 30 or 40 years is just getting broken in. If the motor is abused, run with poor quality fuel with cheap oil mixed at improper ratios, forgetting to change the waterpump impeller every few seasons, not changing the lower unit oil every season, etc., then it could be getting old before age 10. <br /><br />My everyday runners are a 1969 Merc 20hp, 1970 Johnson 20hp, and a 1980 Johnson 75hp. I've got several other motors older than that that I like to run now and then for grins. When my munchkin gets old enough to take his boating course, he'll be running a 1954 Johnson 5.5hp. He's almost 8 now and has driven it with me in the boat a few times. He likes it because its the only motor he can start himself!<br /><br />- Scott

 

[Rex]

Re: How old is old ?

I HELPED THIS FRIEND OUT AND HE GOT A <br />1962 300 35HP. MERCURY. HE TOOK IT TO <br />THE MARINEA AND THE GUY SAID THEY DON'T<br />MAKE THEY LIKE THAT ANY MORE HAD IT<br />CHECK OUT AND HE HAD TO PUT A LITTLE MONEY IN IT.<br />PUT HE SAY IT START THE FIRST TIME EVERY TIME

 

[ajp]

Re: How old is old ?

I bought my fishing boat about a year ago. It is a 1969 Glastron V180 Fundeck deckboat with the original 1969 Johnson 115 Hp outboard. 33 years young. The boat is in very good condition, solid, and the motor runs great. I am glad someone took reasonable care for it. <br /><br />If people take care of their boats and motors, they will last a lifetime. Most people just leave them outside to rot. Trailer tongue on the ground to fill the boat with water in the rain. Uncovered for the floor, carpet, and seats to fade away. Dry run the engine to ruin the impellers. Under the trees for it to fill up with leaves.<br /><br />I know one thing. In 1999, I spent $15,000 for my Glastron ski boat. You think for a moment that I would leave it outside any days except when it is being used. Getting it ready for its 4th summer and it still looks new. Leave one outside for 4 years and then try to resell it. <br /><br />Take care of your boats, they are valuable.<br /><br />Spring is here, lets hit the lake.<br /><br />Arlan

 

[novacane]

Re: How old is old ?

my 1965 lonestar mustang still looks new

 

[rolmops]

Re: How old is old ?

My favorite engine is a 1957 35 horse seahorse. It has 120 pounds compression on each cylinder and runs at a steady 4500 rpm.With never a spot of trouble.<br />Most of these engines run maybe a hundred hours a year.If treated well they can last as long as we do.<br />I sincerely enjoy it when it outruns a jetskier,although I mostly curse the buggers.<br />Anyway the fish dont care how old your rig is.<br />These old engines will only be too old when the law forbids the use of them in favor of 4-stroke engines.

 

[NitroBoy543]

Re: How old is old ?

i got a 1955 7.5 hp fleetwin by evinrude. it runs on both cylinders, and its compression ripped a pullstat cord( it was corroded anyways) i run it in a big ol pal, i throws the water out wiht a 2 blade prop. it has the old fashoned pressurised tank systme too. omc makes one hell of a good engine... alomt 50 years old, and it runns awsome.. somebody beat that..

 

[petryshyn]

Re: How old is old ?

use my 1954 5.5hp Johnson every summer.