Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Rick,

another option would be to get a single output hydro trans like the ones in a zero turn lawn mower. those are hydrostatic, and belt driven, along with bi-directional.

that would give you the ability to run the motor in its sweet spot and vary the drive ratio along its way.

Still going to cost more than a used boat.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Don't know if they are still available in libraries or other sources, but, the old "Small Boat Journal" (from back in the '80's) had an article on a DIY setup similar to what you envision. Showed some ways to make your own stuffing box/etc. Only thing I remember from the article was using a couple of strips of bacon as packing material in the DIY stuffing box

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Don't know if they are still available in libraries or other sources, but, the old "Small Boat Journal" (from back in the '80's) had an article on a DIY setup similar to what you envision. Showed some ways to make your own stuffing box/etc. Only thing I remember from the article was using a couple of strips of bacon as packing material in the DIY stuffing box

Will thick cut bacon work best? What's that smell? :lol:

We still need the OP to come back and tell what he's trying to do.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Rick,

another option would be to get a single output hydro trans like the ones in a zero turn lawn mower. those are hydrostatic, and belt driven, along with bi-directional.

that would give you the ability to run the motor in its sweet spot and vary the drive ratio along its way.

Still going to cost more than a used boat.

Yeah. A hydrostatic drive like that would be sort of like a hydraulic pump driving a hydraulic motor................ infinitely variable but somewhat heavier than a simple sheave/belt system............

You would be able to run the engine at a constant RPM and just use the "hydro-handle" as a speed control!

Sounds like it would be fun to try!! I just LOVE projects! Especially doing 'stuff' that's never been tried!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

a lawn mower hydrostat is about 13#, so it istn much weight

 

[fishingman1]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Thanks for all the input and ideas. Right now I am just brainstorming and seeing what is possible and/or makes sense. I don't have a set plan yet. However, one of my plans for the future is to build(or rebuild) one of these old boats. I would go with a smaller engine and smaller prop. They are more of a "mud boat" so I would probably need a Steel prop:
Reelfoot Lake Boats Picture 1
They used a small lawn mower engine and they are collectors items now.

 

[fishingman1]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

More info on those Calhoun boats:
Calhoun's Reelfoot Lake Boats

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Where is small boat lover when you need him?
Me, I would do the pwc conversion. Probably cheaper, and better performance.
I understand why you want to so I hope you have fun with it.
The reelfoot lake boats are somewhat popular, but most are going with jet drives on reelfoot lake now.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Why don't you just throw an outboard on it? Most people that try to reinvent the wheel end up with a really crappy wheel.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mounting Air Cooled 22HP Inboard in a Jon Boat

Ayuh,.... For the effort of the inboard B&S motor,...

I'd just go with the clamp it on the transom B&S Outboard motor,... a Real Mud-motor,...