The Right Outboard

[50's OMC]

I'm looking to buy a 50's OMC outboard to power our 14' wooden boat. What would be a good size of outboard for that boat? What years are best and what years should I stay away from? Also, how much should i pay for one?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: The Right Outboard

I'm looking to buy a 50's OMC outboard to power our 14' wooden boat. What would be a good size of outboard for that boat?

I would say a 10 or a 15hp. You really need to look at the sturdiness of the transome. Be careful. A motor too powerful would rip it right off, if it's not in the best shape


What years are best and what years should I stay away from?

All of the 50's vintage motors by OMC are good. I can't recall them ever building a "bad motor" untill the 70's came around


Also, how much should i pay for one?

As cheap as you can find one. One thing to consider, is if you want to get one cheap and fix it all up yourself, or do you want something that someone else has already taken the time in getting it right?Myself, I'm good buying something that has sat for 25 years and going through it all myself. It's actually fun bringing something back to life and giving it a second chance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Right Outboard

14' wooden boat, does not tell us much. open fishing, runabout. weight of the boat.

 

[gjonz]

Re: The Right Outboard

I run a 1956 Johnson Javelin RJE-18C 30hp on my 13' 6" 1949 Thompson. She's rated for 25 nominally, but 50hp "maximum for racing". (Whatever that means!)

Now the 1955 Johnson 25 hp and 30 hp are are only slightly different in weight. I think 5 pounds. So the transom is good in that regard, but I also don't run wide open all the time, as she planes at 1/3 throttle and cruises nicely at 2/3 throttle.

It is a really nice combination...and gets lots of looks.

There is a fellow here in Toledo running a 35hp Evinrude on his Pen Yan 14 footer. These motors are fairly plentiful, cheap, parts availabilty is good, and easy to work on!!

Good luck, and let me know if I can help further.

Greg

 

[Willyclay]

Re: The Right Outboard

Welcome to the iboats.com forum. In my opinion this is the best single resource for recreational boaters. The members here are great with providing sound advice to any question about your boat, motor and trailer. OMC made millions of outboard motors during the 1950's and they just will not die; they have to be murdered by abuse and neglect. My first motor was a 1959 Johnson 35 that was seized when I got it. The previous owner said it just quit in the middle of the lake. Since I was dealing with unknowns, I completely disassembled it except for the gearcase, replaced some bad bearings and reassembled it with all new gaskets. It started and ran on the first crank. Used it for ten years. Good luck!

 

[cougar1985]

Re: The Right Outboard

I'm looking to buy a 50's OMC outboard to power our 14' wooden boat. What would be a good size of outboard for that boat? What years are best and what years should I stay away from? Also, how much should i pay for one?

tiller or remote?what design of wood boat?i have a 14 foot cedar strip boat(small version of the boat in my avatar)that is a tiller drive and is regually used with a 18 hp johnson(1957)and also with a 1970 33hp evinrude at times .the boat will preform well with either motor .

 

[50's OMC]

Re: The Right Outboard

14' wooden boat, does not tell us much. open fishing, runabout. weight of the boat.

It's a 1948 Sande 14 ft skiff that weighs about 350 lbs.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: The Right Outboard

The condition of the wood will definately be the judge of what size outboard should be put on it. Check it over real good. We don't want no 3 sided boat stories comin back here.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: The Right Outboard

The condition of the wood will definately be the judge of what size outboard should be put on it. Check it over real good. We don't want no 3 sided boat stories comin back here.

yes i heartily agree,look it over closely and replace or repair any problems .fixing a woodboat is not hard atall .personally id never go back to tin or glass unless hell freezes over!their not for everybody but for me there,s nothing else.love the smell of freshly varnished wood,lol.