What was the first outboard you owned?

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

Wow, I never heard of some of these outboards, I though my National Pressure Cooker was an oldie.<br />Stalker
 

scotty c

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
145
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

1974 50 hp merc- 4 banger<br />good old motor, ran it till it died<br />and actually liked it so much i had a <br />re-build done, but it never ran the same<br /><br />i was lucky though, the guy that did the job<br />agreed that it did not run worth a #@%^&<br />and he gave me the money back !<br /><br />there are some happy endings !
 

Twidget

Commander
Joined
Jun 16, 2004
Messages
2,192
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

My first motor was an electric trolling motor that my Dad got for me when he went to Viet Nam. It was on a 10ft aluminum john boat.<br /><br />The first one I bought myself was an early 70's 65hp Evinrude. My Dad had a boat sink at the dock during a storm and bought a replacement boat. His 85 Evinrude was still good, so he sold me the 65 off his replacement boat.
 

BF

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
1,489
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

When I was a kid, our family's first motor was a 3 hp air cooled McCollough (sp?) to push a 12' aluminum... was loud, tempermental and vibrated like crazy (hand would go numb from holding it).. but was mucho better than oars.<br /><br />Went from there to 7.5 Eska, then a 9.9 Merc (our first "real" motor... was like Mercedes compared to the others).<br /><br />Went through a few bigger motors on runabout (also as a kid)... <br /><br />First motor I bought with my $$$ was the V150 merc that I still have 20ish years later. Have bought or been given several OMC's 25hp and less. None newer than an '82.<br /><br />When I talked to insurance co. about coverage for boats/motors, she asked what I had. I gave her the list..... (6 OB's, 5 boats, 2 canoes) long pause.... "are you an outfitter?" No. "do you rent these out?" No. They're for my use. another long pause. I say, "did I mention I like boats & motors?"<br /><br />I do better at finding stuff than parting with it. :)
 

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

I'm surprised at all the responses this thread got. It's interesting how fondly we remember our old engines. Nothing bad to say about any of them. <br />Stalker
 

EZLoader

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
456
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

1966 Evinrude 40 HP Big Twin (w/no generator - big mistake - battery died often - had to take the cover off, wrap and pull a starter rope).
 

timmathis

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
1,295
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

1956 1.5 rude, I think it is still in a barn at mama's.
 

what66

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
244
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

mine was a 45hp sears came on a 14ft runabouht.<br />never had it on the water but it did run. :)
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

James, I really liked that Homelite, it sipped gas, ran well, always started. The only problem I had with it was when the lower unit gears lost a few teeth. Easy fix though, I ordered new gears from a guy in Cali and had her running again. I replaced it with the 85 horse Merc 2 stroke because I got a kickin' deal on the Merc, and it nearly doubled my top speed. Fuel economy was acceptable with the Merc as long as I stayed out of the throttle. The people I sold the boat to use it as a wakeboard boat, seems to do fine.
 

johnnythehat

Cadet
Joined
Oct 23, 2004
Messages
24
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

Early - mid? 1970's Archimedes Penta 3cyl 55Hp. The local guy who had the dealership for parts was horribly expensive, which was a bit of a shame as my motor seemed to spend half it's life in his workshop. Also have a 1965 Seagull 5Hp (approx) - beautiful old motor, real classic. Can't bring myself to sell it even though I've got two brand new motors on the boat now. I just set it up and run it in a drum every now and then for fun. Is that a bit sad? :confused: <br />Some history of outboards... http://web.telia.com/~u53305493/utomborde.htm
 

Mercury140-I6

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Messages
339
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

My parents first outboard was a Mark 78A, then a 67 650, then a 69 1250. I got that motor and boat when I got my licence. Used it till 88 when I was pulling my brother and noticed that each time he cut the wake, the back bench moved forward about an inch +. I towed it home and started looking for a boat for the Merc. I got a 88 Chris Craft Cavalier (17') and mounted the 1250 on it. In 93 I was boating/skiing at Trinity Lake in Northern CA and sucked a reed valve on #5 Cylinder. Didn't really notice till I slowed down at the other end of the lake. It idled a little rough. It was the last day there so when we got back to the campground we put it on the trailer and took it home. In 95 I was transfered to Seattle, WA. and got a Jolly Rodger boat with a 1250. The next Summer I waqs running around Lake Washington and as I was nearing where I launched it it slowed down to about 2000 RPM, and that was as fast as it would go. Took it to a mechanic near by and he had it for 4 MONTHS and wasn't able to figure out why. The actual guys working on it didn't speak english. I finally asked him of all the Mercs he had in the shop, which of them ran. He said I had a choice of a 90 or a 1500. Guess which one I got.....Yep, the 1500 (First outboard I had with Power Trim). In 97 I got a 1996 Glastron GS160 without a motor, drove 10 miles and got a 79 Merc 115. Used that for a few years when I had the oppertunity to get a 140 power head installed on the 115 mid tower. That is what I have today and it flies.<br /><br />Craig
 

AguaSki

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
545
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

My first and current motor is a 1978 Johnson 140 hp V4. So far so good.
 

dheitman62

Cadet
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
19
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

My first was a 1968 Johnson SC-10 1 /2 hp kicker. I built a little side mount out of a milk crate and used it on my canoe. Very tippy, but I loved that little motor.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,097
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

Welcome to iboats.

Perhaps you have noticed but this thread is OVER 5 years old. Normally we leave these threads as a reference in the archives and do not reply or drag them up UNLESS you are the original poster of the thread.

We welcome everyone to iboats since everyone has an opinion or advice to share.

Once again Welcome!
 

Zach b

Cadet
Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
13
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

im a young man and i got a 1953 johnson sea horse passed downed to me never used but i thinking i might put some money into it and mabey use it. or dose any one know if that motor worth any thing?
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

Don't know how I missed this thread the first time around. It is one of those RARE threads that are timeless, I think. With apologies to Bob_VT. . . .

I fished my first 23-24 years from shore or from a boat powered by me.

My first (and best ever) outboard was a Johnson JW-13 of about 1957.
 

stupiddog

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
42
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

A 7.5 hp air cooled Gamefisher. What a stubborn, loud piece of junk...... Man, I loved that engine! It took my nine year old self on many an adventure! Too many years ago...
 

pecheux

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
1,200
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

I'll never forget that 1968 Evinrude 4 hp ... and wish I still had it.
 

Bass Buster One

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 6, 2010
Messages
46
Re: What was the first outboard you owned?

Pony, I got ya beat there. The first motor I purchased was a 2005 Mercury 25 electric start, long shaft!!!.......Gotta admit, though, I've used many different motors while growing up. Earliest one had to be a sixties vintage 4.5HP Johnson on a Jon boat. I remember being grounded for taking her out of the cove! Whoa!!!
 
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