weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

[dthrckt]

I'm searching for a small outboard. I sometimes borrow one that I carry about a mile through the woods to a lake, so I want something light. The borrowed motor is a johnson 2hp and is 12lbs dry (love it)...but I don't see them come up often, and I don't like to borrow. The motor will also serve as a backup to my 35hp motor (hopefully never used, but would beat oars).

I've found out that a 50s/60s era 5.5hp weighs ~37lbs. Ouch...

Does anyone know how much lighter the 3hp of that era is?

Any suggestions on an ideal year/model?

Besides being light I'd like to be able to rotate the motor 360, and close off the gas line so that it can be carried unleveled.

Thanks!

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

Here's a brochure for 1955 Johnson's. It says that the 5.5Hp is 47 lbs and the 3 Hp is 32 lbs.

I own a 1961 5.5Hp that they say is 57 lbs and I can tell you that I certainly would not want to carry that for a mile.

http://www.old-omc.de/j_1955/seite_08to15.jpg

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

Do you keep the boat near the lake and hike to it or are you portaging the vessel?

If you do keep it at the lake why not lock the motor to the boat and leave it there as well?

I've got a 1970s 1.2hp that is around 20lbs max. It would be perfect for carrying in this manner but it also wouldn't push you around as fast(especially if you have 2 guys and a cooler full of beer, tackle, etc, etc).

Anything from the 70s will have a much lower weight/HP ratio for sure, that's what I'd recommend.

Good luck to ya.

 

[F_R]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

I'm searching for a small outboard. I sometimes borrow one that I carry about a mile through the woods to a lake, so I want something light. The borrowed motor is a johnson 2hp and is 12lbs dry (love it)...but I don't see them come up often, and I don't like to borrow. The motor will also serve as a backup to my 35hp motor (hopefully never used, but would beat oars).

I've found out that a 50s/60s era 5.5hp weighs ~37lbs. Ouch...

Does anyone know how much lighter the 3hp of that era is?

Any suggestions on an ideal year/model?

Besides being light I'd like to be able to rotate the motor 360, and close off the gas line so that it can be carried unleveled.

Thanks!

I wonder wher you found that 12 pound Johnson 2? They are supposed to weigh about 10 pounds more than that. A 3 will weigh about 31 +/- pounds and a 5.5 will be around 50 +/-, all depending on the year.

You need to find an antique Elgin 1 1/4hp. Not very fast, but little and light. They are popular with the antique outboard crowd and are seen for sale at meets. www.aomci.org.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

Here's a brochure for 1955 Johnson's. It says that the 5.5Hp is 47 lbs and the 3 Hp is 32 lbs.

I own a 1961 5.5Hp that they say is 57 lbs and I can tell you that I certainly would not want to carry that for a mile.

http://www.old-omc.de/j_1955/seite_08to15.jpg

clearly you are correct, sorry for posting misinfo...

i've been jotting down notes and misread. what i meant to note was the johnson sea horse 5hp model td20 ('46-'49 i think?). An ebay listing and a (different) local seller both claim their motors weigh 37 lbs. The site above says 44 lbs for the td20 - either way that is a whole lot heavier than what I've been using. It does state that it has 360 steering, which I didn't think it had - great link, exactly what I needed, thanks.

The johnson is from 1986. My dad weighed it today w/ his bathroom scale (and no gas) so that number might be a little off. He probably weighed himself, then himself w/ motor. I was surprised too, and certainly would have estimated 20 lbs, but maybe that's because I've carried it in my arms for a total of about 20 miles I'll weigh it again next time I'm there and check the scale w/ a couple free weights.

I pack a sea eagle nine into the lake. Next time I see a cheap 10 or 12' aluminum I'll probably buy it and drag in there w/a snowmobile in winter (I've portaged one in there before...dumb dumb dumb, even w/ a homemade cart w/ two bike wheels). No (other) atvs allowed. I don't want to leave the motor in there since I hope to use it as a backup motor.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

looks like dad needs to have his medication adjusted

of course, i believed him so i'm not sure what that says

nada says 24lbs

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...m=0011&y=1986&ml=J&gc=MR&gtc=OB&d=17001102094

decisions - too many motors, not enough money

 

[film495]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

the manual for my 3hp '68 says it is 35 lbs dry

the classic 2hp Mate might be what you are looking for. never picked one up, but they look light - also -you could probably just make a sling and walk with a 50lb motor on you back for a mile pretty easy. might help to think of an easier way to carry the motor, over trying to find a lighter motor. just looking at your problem from another angle.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

The Johnson/Evinrude 2 hp of the 1970's weighs approx 23lbs. Actually, any 2 stroke 2 hp motor will weigh about the same.

The Johnson/Evinrude 1.5-2 hp are nice little motors. They are the perfect pack-in motor. I completely rebuilt a 1973 Johnson 2 hp this winter and I'll tell you it was the easiest motor I've ever worked on.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

I have a rebuilt 1970 4hp for sale here. It weighs about the same as the 3hp. It takes a remote tank like your 35 would and does rotate 360 degrees. This motor also has the weedless prop too. If interested, you can give me a call at 503-583-1882. I'll call my friend and see what he wants for it.

 

[Okee Jimmy]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

What you need is a 50's era 3 hp, they are light, have an integral fuel tank, are practically indestructable, turn 360 deg, and were available with a weedless gearcase. A neighbor gave me one a couple of years ago, this is a super sweet motor.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

the manual for my 3hp '68 says it is 35 lbs dry

the classic 2hp Mate might be what you are looking for. never picked one up, but they look light - also -you could probably just make a sling and walk with a 50lb motor on you back for a mile pretty easy. might help to think of an easier way to carry the motor, over trying to find a lighter motor. just looking at your problem from another angle.

oh believe me, that's not a new angle My two samoyeds are harnessed trained and pull a garden cart with my camping gear. Funny thing is how much they enjoy it.

I think I'll wait until I find a 2hp. I just like that Johnson so much, might as well get one of my own. Maybe in the mean time I'll get two more dogs and they can pull the boat and motor

 

[alangf]

Re: weight of motors - 1950s 5.5hp vs 3 hp

I wonder wher you found that 12 pound Johnson 2? They are supposed to weigh about 10 pounds more than that. A 3 will weigh about 31 +/- pounds and a 5.5 will be around 50 +/-, all depending on the year.

You need to find an antique Elgin 1 1/4hp. Not very fast, but little and light. They are popular with the antique outboard crowd and are seen for sale at meets. www.aomci.org.

I have a 1 1/4 horsepower Elgin (not for sale) It is a great little engine but has trouble moving a boat against any current. It is air cooled which makes it light weight but requires a fair cooling period after it has been run to be comforatble to carry. If memory serves me it weighs 17 pounds.