how many old motors

[noelm]

Hi<br /> I have been reading posts here for a while now and it really amazes me how many old motors there are in the US, there are lots of posts from people with motors from the 50's you would never see motors like that in Australia (except maybe in some shop display) a motor in the late 70's is getting kinda rusty now, maybe we do not have the freshwater boating you guys enjoy! so most motors "go to god" quicker than their freshwater brothers.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how many old motors

You're right. Lots of fresh-water boaters here in the USA. I saw a guy on the lake the other day in an old wooden boat with a motor that had to date back to the 1920's. And he wasn't a collector, either, just out fishing. I talked to him a bit at the ramp later. He's about 80 years old and has been using that boat and outboard for over 60 years.<br /><br />He said that he just couldn't find any reason to get anything different.

 

[kevin500]

Re: how many old motors

Salt water? What is that? I have heard it mentioned before, but have never seen it, although I have soaked my feet in it for athletes foot <br />...the motors here in the great white north last until they are puked from abuse, freshwater has virtually no effect on them... CATransplant, we are only a few hundred miles north of you, so it would be the same down there....also helps that we can only boat for approx 4 months per year... My current motor is a 1964 40 HP 'Rude, runs like new... just picked up a 1980 7.5hp 'Rude last weekend.. no corrosion anywhere, just wear marks. Great for us "Fiscally responsible" (read cheap) types.

 

[orca]

Re: how many old motors

G,Day<br />I believe that in the US about 80% of boating is in freshwater, correct me if I am wrong, here in the land of OZ about 90% saltwater use so motors do not last as long.<br />Did see a white Merc (1961) pulling a skier on the river Murray a couple of weeks ago.

 

[noelm]

Re: how many old motors

hhmm I think more than 90% saltwater in Aus but who knows huh! I have seen 1 white merc, in our local merc dealer ,he has it on display (I think he actually got it in the US) it is in really great condition.

 

[noelm]

Re: how many old motors

Gees I am not too sure what is the best deal, live in Australia and have your motor rust to bits before your eyes but be able to go boating/fishing all year round or live in the frozen wastelands (just kidding) and only go boating when the lake "goes soft" but your motor lasts longer than you do!

 

[noelm]

Re: how many old motors

OH I forgot, we do not have to worry about Athletes foot, all that saltwater keeps out 'tootsies" healthy

 

[kevin500]

Re: how many old motors

Choices, choices, choices. But that does not mean we can't go fishing in the winter. Snowmobiles, an ice shack, a hole in the ice, and away we go!! Quite a few of the lakes here you can drive on, drill a hole, drop a line. Or, if you don't have an ice shack, you can rent one. They are basically camper trailers (without fixed axles, they get to the lake on a flat bed trailer) with a hole in the floor, they have heating, etc. Most people set up their ice shack on a lake, and leave it there all winter. So, while our outboard motors last quite a while, we also have to buy snowmobiles to satisfy our fishing habit. So the cost is the same anyway. Just that we get to freeze our fishing tackle and our wedding tackle at the same time!<br />If you follow the link to my project boat, you can see the condition of my old motor.

 

[Triton II]

Re: how many old motors

Give me warmth and rust over a four month boating season and frozen tackle anytime!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: how many old motors

I left Thunder Bay marina one day in a small runabout, which a friend had borrowed. Throttled it up to get on plane after we reached the breakwall. Heard the dreaded sound of the prop shaft spinning up....zzzing. Prop decended into the depths of Lake Superior. A long paddle back to shore. It seems common nails don't make good prop shear pins. That 4 month season is optimistic.... that lake is real cold in mid summer. It preserves outboards just like the frozen tundra ... long live the 'ol 2 strokes.

 

[DJ]

Re: how many old motors

Allot of it it has to do with fresh water.<br /><br />Also, there were millions built here, many of which just ended up being "put away" when interests change.<br /><br />The US market was one, mostly, of pleasure boating.<br /><br />I would expect that the Australian market was one of need. Not to mention that getting an outboard to Australia was/is not an easy/inexpensive task.

 

[Mercathode]

Re: how many old motors

A great percent of motors don't actually wear out but just die due to non-use or neglect!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: how many old motors

I have a 5 HP Johnson that my Dad bought new in 1946. It still runs like new. I also have a 49 version of the same engine.