Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

[CATransplant]

Hey! I've been away from the forum for quite a while. The old '58 Johnson RDS-20 35hp (see avatar) ran great all last season for me, after being fixed with the help of folks here.<br /><br />But...This guy came up to me at the lake, complimenting me on that old Johnson. Seems he's restoring a classic Larson, and had been looking for exactly my outboard to stick on the back. The year matches, I guess, and it is a pretty outboard.<br /><br />I took him for a ride in my boat and put the old Big Twin through its paces. He offered me a sum I couldn't believe for the engine. I insisted that the engine came attached to the boat and the old funky trailer. The boat was worthless, and the trailer even more worthless. He agreed. We drove to his bank, he gave me the cash, and I towed the whole rig to his house. Good riddance, except for the outboard. I loved that old engine, and had fixed it myself, so it was even better.<br /><br />So...I had been thinking about buying a little 12' aluminum boat and trailer anyhow, so I could run on the small lakes here in Minnesota with just an electric trolling motor or a small gas outboard. I found one...cheap...and already had the trolling motor and one of those horrid Tecumseh-based Sea King 5hp motors. Horrid, but it runs really well.<br /><br />So, the Johnson is gone. I'm a tinnie owner now, and I won't ever fix that 5hp Sea King. Gave my shop manual to the guy who bought the Johnson.<br /><br />There it is. I've missed the forum, though.

 

[Pony]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

Welcome back CATransplant......I think many were wondering where you went, there were a few threads asking about you awhile back.<br /><br />At least that motor will make him happy I myself have been trying the 12fter and a small outboard. 1961 Mirrocraft, 1962 Rude. Finally finished the rude, almost done with the boat.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

And another welcome! I was getting a little worried there. <br /><br />So, what are you after for the 12'? A Fisherman like P.O.N.Y's would make a nice match. Perhaps an old 10hp? Is the 18 too much? I think the 4hp would be too slow to bother with. Although my sister's two year old finds it a real gas to drive on the battered old 12' tinny I hang it on!<br /><br />Anything's got to be better than the chainsaw engine.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

Thanks. I just got really busy last year and couldn't long on here that often. The Monkey Ward's boat is rated for 10 hp. There are a bunch of lakes around here that insist you use an outboard less than 10 hp. I dislike the OMC 9.5 and 9.9 units for their design, so that's out.<br /><br />My father has a 60's Johnson 6hp, and I may cajole him out of it. That would do a decent job on this little 12' v-hull, I'm sure.<br /><br />The boat is a '64 model, so it would be nice to match the motor to the year, I think.<br /><br />For now, though, it's the chainsaw. I mispoke, though, it's a Clinton engine, not a Tecumseh. That's MUCH better, eh? <br /><br />On the other hand, I know where there's a running Zephyr that is probably available for cheap. That would be fun, just for the knowledge that I owned the smallest 4-cylinder engine ever built.<br /><br />I need to go fishing, though. Outboards are secondary.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

Glad to see you back, CAT. Even though you sold your big twin, I hope you won't stop sharing the knowledge.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

What Boatbouy said. I was asking about you a while back since you and I had the same engine. I sold mine first about 2 years ago and I do miss it but I like electric start better. I hope the guy takes care of your engine like you did. Come back and hang out once in a while. Miss your help on these older engines since I don't have one anymore I forget the little things about them.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Paul Moir -- I'm back but no more RDS-20

I'll be around once a day or so, and I'll try to help out where I can. Since Paul's still here, there's no shortage of expert advice.