Looking for a vintage outboard motor

[Stoutcat]

Hi friends,

We currently have a 1972 9.5 hp Evinrude outboard for our vintage 14' Starcraft runabout. We're going to do some restoration on the Starcraft, and really want to get a vintage outboard to match. We're looking for a mid- to late-50s motor, in the range of 20 hp, in reasonably good condition, and reasonably priced.

We see stuff on eBay all the time, and some of those motors are gorgeous! Problem is, we don't know squat about outboards. If we see something that looks good, what kind of questions should we be asking?

Also, are there years, makes, or models we should definitely avoid? I like the fantastic-looking Mercury "tower" motor (in red, please!), Alan likes the rounded look of the Johnson Seahorse. What kind of prices might we expect to pay for something decent?

Most importantly, how do we go about finding a good motor mechanic? I know, that's pretty subjective, but we just don't know!

Thanks for any help you can give us.

Suzie

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

that boat would look fantastic, with a 35 Johnson Javelin, if you can find one. but i would also recomment, a early 1960's 40 hp Johnson/Evinrude for that boat. the mercury motors of that vintage are extreme hard to get parts for.

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

Watch the auction site and check out the free classifieds at www.aomci.org
Also check that site for a club/chapter in your area. The aomci guys have two big meets every year...Tomahawk, WI (I think) and I forget the name of the other one. All upcoming swap meets are listed on their calendar page. I'm with TD, a late 50's Johnson or Evinrude 30 to 35 hp would look sweet on your boat. Might even want to go with matched twins.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

My vote is for a '58 evinrude 35hp. It would compliment the color of your boat. Nice boat by the way. twins might be really nice on the back, too. And I like the idea of twins for reliablity, too.
JBJ

 

[Stoutcat]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

Thanks for all the good suggestions, we've been keeping an eye on Craigslist and eBay... We really need to find a good reliable mechanic here on Cape Cod. And thanks for pointing to the AOMCI. We'd never heard of them before but it looks like a great resource.

Re twin engines: guys--we want this boat to plane, not to get airborne! It's only a little 14-footer aluminum, which two people can lift right off the ground!

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[56 rude]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

Thanks for all the good suggestions, we've been keeping an eye on Craigslist and eBay... We really need to find a good reliable mechanic here on Cape Cod. And thanks for pointing to the AOMCI. We'd never heard of them before but it looks like a great resource.

Re twin engines: guys--we want this boat to plane, not to get airborne! It's only a little 14-footer aluminum, which two people can lift right off the ground!

Anyone else have any thoughts?

twin 1957 18hp johnson sea-horses would look fantastic on that boat ,baring any twin applications how about a evinrude big-twin from the same era.30-35 hp?

 

[Stoutcat]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

Hi,

Alan here... Shhh... Don't tell the wife, but I think twin 18s would be so cool.

But she probably does have a point... I once hit a shoreline tree with a 12' sailboat. (No joke.) But hey, the tree was asking for it, and I swear it was antagonizing me and besides, it actually jumped out in front of me.

Forty hp strapped onto the back of that little boat would be wild (I think it's rated to 45hp)... I'd never live to post again, but the ride would be amazing.

Hmmm...

Anyway... Don't mention this post and the wife will never know! (I'm doomed I tell ya... Doomed!)

Seriously, thank you all for all your thoughts and time... Keep 'em coming, and we'll keep reading and learning until the trees finally get us.

Alan and Suzie

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

After looking at the photo link you posted, I'll stick with recommending a single OMC 30-35 hp...OR, as mentioned earlier, twin 18's.

 

[tnltracy]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

Hi Alan, You have PM

 

[steelespike]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

The Evinrude/Johnson 18 hp is a really nice motor.Capable of speeds to 27mph on a light fast boat.Will push 2 or 3 150 pounders easily. 50lbs lighter than a 35/40.Simple to work on routine parts readily available some right here at iboats.most other parts available used.Electric start option.Will use less than 2 gallons per hour at wide open throttle compared to the 35/40s about 4 GPH.This block served for 20 and 25 hp in later years,Making a nice light 25.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Looking for a vintage outboard motor

I agree that a late fifties ERude 18hp or 35hp would look great on your boat. You could even surf EBay for a fifities vintage ERude Simplex control unit. Both of these engines were available with electric start, so if you put a decent sized battery in the boat, with an onboard trickle charger, you'd have remote starting capability and would be able to use running lights.

BTW, great looking boat!