I've always wondered, never ask

[tashasdaddy]

just what is the purpose of the cross bar on the back of the johnsons? some have it some don't.

 

[ezeke]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

Hammerhead Johnson!

 

[Walker]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

That's the first one I've ever seen. My guess is it was to limit steering radius as a tiller setup.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

It's a carry handle. Later ones were shaped to also allow the motor to be laid on its back and not damage the chrome, etc. Back in those days, motors weren't as apt to be permanently attached to the boat and were removed much more often, so the handles were common. Mercury even incorporated a handle into the entire circumfrence of their motors' lower cowls.

- Scott

 

[F_R]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

Yep, a carrying handle. In some cases it came with the motor and in others it was an accessory.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

carrying handle, that was my thought, so 2 people could carry it. at 130 lbs.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

Carrying handle is what it was called in the accessory cataloge.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

Steering handle for insane Barefoot Skiers when they couldn't find a driver last I heard..​

 

[byacey]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

Steering handle for insane Barefoot Skiers when they couldn't find a driver last I heard..​

Actually this was inspired by James Bond, he would simply steer the outboard with the handlebars while the motor pulled him through the water. No boat needed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I've always wondered, never ask

you 2 aren't far off my original thought, it could be where you connect a ski harness, it would help keep the rope out of the prop.