Update: 1959 35hp Super Seahorse

[Timbit]

Cleaned the carb, Changed the impeller, New Plugs and Bottom End Oil. Put it in the water and WOW. I am really impressed on how this thing pushes my boat!! The boat is a 18' Steel Boat. 3 people in it and it jumps out of the water and up on plane in no time! Top speed is 19MPH (GPS). Thanks to everyone who answered my questions when I first got this motor. If anything else comes up (hopefully nothing does) I'll be sure to post it.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Update: 1959 35hp Super Seahorse

That's a lot of power from that machine. Had a 1958 35hp that I let go for next to nothing. Still miss it if for no other reason then the looks I would get from people when I would pass them and their 50 hps.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Update: 1959 35hp Super Seahorse

Good deal, Timbit! My 1958 35hp is the same as yours, except for the cowling, and I'm impressed every time I take it on the lake. It'll push my trihull 14' 7" glass boat at 25mph (GPS) and jumps it on plane faster than I'd ever believe.<br /><br />Even better, it will idle down and troll at less than 2 mph for as long as you please. Blub-blub-blub.<br /><br />Yesterday, I was at my favorite lake, trolling the 10' countour all the way around the lake. Then I took it for a little joy ride at WOT. When I got back to the ramp, there was another fisherman who had just loaded up his shiny new bass boat.<br /><br />He looked at my ugly old green boat with the ancient Johnson on it and asked, "How old is that Johnson?" I told him, and he complimented me on how nicely it trolled and how well it ran the boat on plane.<br /><br />Those old Big Twins have tons of torque and perform way better than they should. When they're running right, they're a joy. Remember, back in 1958-9, the biggest motor OMC made was 50hp. Lots of people water skiied behind 35hp Johnsons. They were great motors then and they're still great motors.<br /><br />Keep yours in nice shape and maybe it'll still be running for another 46 years!

 

[Timbit]

Re: Update: 1959 35hp Super Seahorse

I plan to keep it in good shape... one more thing, The motor says "Super Quiet" on it, They weren't kiddin. at WOT it's WAY quieter than my 9.9 I can actually talk to my passengers while running and hear them! $500 for the boat, motor and trailer. Not too shabby eh?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Update: 1959 35hp Super Seahorse

You're right. The RDS-20 and onward were incredibly quiet outboards. The extra housing around the midsection is the reason, and that's why it's there.<br /><br />Even at wide open throttle, it's amazingly quiet, I agree. For the price, you did exceedingly well. I gave $600 for my combo, but I have a few more dollars in it at this point, of course.<br /><br />I must take a little private satisfaction at having an entire outfit that cost way less than any new outboard over 6 hp. My boat's an ugly thing, olive drab in color, but it gets a lot of looks on the water.<br /><br />The last time I went to a new lake, someone came up to me and asked me for fishing advice, since I obviously had fished there before. I guess I look like an old-timer in my boat. Funny.<br /><br />RD-series outboards forever!