Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

[Sundancer73]

I've inherited a 1961 Boston Whaler 13' Sport with an 18HP Johnson. It's been in my family since I can remember and was a GREAT boat..(for the ocean). Here I am not in Fort White and I'll be using it for river running.. mostly the Santa Fe.. and I'm seeing where I'll be needing shear-pin replacements often, So: As much as I love that old engine, I think I should upgrade to a new 4 stroke with a geared lower unit.. I've been in tough spots where I'd have to drift hundreds of yards to be able to jump out and replace one.. rather not.
Question: Is it worth the $$ to just go ahead and replace the thing..? It has steering and controls and I'd like to add electric start/tilt. If you guys think I'd be better off doing this, where is a GOOD marine locally to have it done. Also, would the old Seahorse bring much $$ on a trade-in?
Thanks in advance for any replies!
~Mike (Sundancer73)

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

Hi sundancer73. Welcome to iboats. That's a great motor you have there. Wish it was mine, but considering that you want to add electric start and tilt, it's probably not really worth it to retrofit the old motor. It would probably cost more than the motor itself is worth :/ May be best to just spring for a new(er) motor so you can be confident that all of the components will work together properly. I'm up in Tallahassee and on the hunt for a motor your size, if you decide to get rid of her, let me know. I may be interested Keep us posted.

 

[JB]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

My Boston Whaler Sport 13 performed to my best satisfaction with a JohnnyRude 25 electric start, kfa. I was not pleased with the 40, even with PT&T.

For a 4 stroke I would look closely at the lightweight Honda 25.

Your FD-15 is a fine engine, and only 50 years old, It should make some young fella a great companion.

Good luck.

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

kfa4303: sent ya a PM about an 18Hp you might be interested in.

 

[restornator]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

what makes you think you would need to replace the shear pins? it's better to bust a shear pin than spin a prop

 

[Sundancer73]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

If and when the time comes that I replace it, I absolutely will let you know.

~Mike

 

[Sundancer73]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

This river is full of submerged logs and rocks. That in itself would not be a problem except most of the logs and some of the loose boulders move occasionally during flood season. My dive buddy has broken an aluminum prop, had his skeg broken off and has also severely dinged a SS prop all within the last two years.. This river can be nasty.. He has a 25 Yamaha and he never speeds or drives carelessly. I'm positive I'd be replacing pins every trip. I realize they afford huge protection.. but... I guess that's why I posted here.. I'm taking ALL suggestions to heart before making any decisions.. and thank you for your.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

This river is full of submerged logs and rocks. That in itself would not be a problem except most of the logs and some of the loose boulders move occasionally during flood season. My dive buddy has broken an aluminum prop, had his skeg broken off and has also severely dinged a SS prop all within the last two years.. This river can be nasty.. He has a 25 Yamaha and he never speeds or drives carelessly. I'm positive I'd be replacing pins every trip. I realize they afford huge protection.. but... I guess that's why I posted here.. I'm taking ALL suggestions to heart before making any decisions.. and thank you for your.

Maybe it is time to replace it with a jet drive. I had one of those 18's from about the same year and it was the most reliable small motor I ever owned. Some one broke into my shop and stole it and left several other motors behind. Wish I still had it today.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

To answer your question about trade-in, unless the marina you deal with is a classic outboard haven, you'll probably get less than scrap value for it. You would be far better listing it in your local Pennysaver, Craigslist, Classifieds, etc. In my area, I can probably get $400-$500 for a clean, good running old 18....

 

[Sundancer73]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

Maybe it is time to replace it with a jet drive. I had one of those 18's from about the same year and it was the most reliable small motor I ever owned. Some one broke into my shop and stole it and left several other motors behind. Wish I still had it today.

I would LOVE a jet drive.. do they actually make one as an 'outboard'?

 

[Sundancer73]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

To answer your question about trade-in, unless the marina you deal with is a classic outboard haven, you'll probably get less than scrap value for it. You would be far better listing it in your local Pennysaver, Craigslist, Classifieds, etc. In my area, I can probably get $400-$500 for a clean, good running old 18....

It runs but not smoothly. Needs something, possibly just a tune-up. It purrs and then a 'hick'.. smooth... 'hick'.. it also seems lacking at higher RPMs.. I do not know how to tweak it..I do understand it needs to be done in the water and at different speeds using the two carb adjusting knobs.. LOL I'm NO mechanic.. I just want hassle-free ( as much as possible) river trips and am willing to fork the $$ The pic on my profile is me and the boat

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

Nice boat. Got one just like it with a 40 on it. And a 3 or 6. And a trolling motor. And a set of real oars and oarlocks.
Sounds like the low speed adjustment needs to be a little richer (clockwise). There are instructions in the "Top Secret File" thread at the top of this forum.
The problem with replacing the motor with a new one is twofold: the steering and the transom. The cable-and-pulley steering system you likely have on there now does not go with a new motor easily at all, and a new teleflex-type single cable steering does not work that well with that vintage whaler transom. It is also a 15" transom, so you'd have to hunt around for a 15" motor. Not impossible, but it is limiting.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

Yes they make jet drive outboards. Ned to buy a larger motor for same hp if I remember right.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help deciding what to do with my old 1961 18HP Johnson Seahorse.

Because the 18 is such a classic and came with the boat, keep it in case you want to restore the rig. I too still have our 1964 13' whaler but sadly the original 18 went beyond repair a few years ago.
But you can sell a running 18 for a good price. don't trade it in!
I don't see why you are afraid of shear pins. I probably went through a bushel basket of them. At most, carry a spare prop--used they cost nothing and the boat junk yards are full of them (I think I have 4).
I liked the pull start, becuase then I didn't need a battery, and the boat self-drained. For trim, I just moved myself or my passengers/gear around. For tilt, a hammer handle or my summer reading book, depending on how high I needed it.

I put a merc 200 on mine, and kept the cable steering, because tube steering can require transom mods.

I maybe a dinosaur but I'd keep what you got.