Re: Hello. First Post…

[reivertom]

Man, that sounds like a cool plan. I have always wanted to do something like that. I think you would be better served with an older motor that is in good shape. You will be able to fix it with normal tools and they are not complicated. With OMC motors, parts can be had nearly anywhere. I would look into an 18hp to from the mid 50s to the 60s. My friend’s dad built a 16′ cruiser type boat when we were kids and had an 18 Johnson on it. It would scoot well enough for my little friend to ski behind it. (not me, too big) These motors are usually recoil start, but they aren’t too hard to crank. They have a good power to weight ratio in my book. Most OMC motors of that hp range from the 50s and early 60s use a two line pressure tank, so with your built in tank you would have to convert them to a single line with a fuel pump, which isn’t too hard. If you get an older electric start, just get one of those small gas generators and a battery charger. You need power on the boat anyway. With a good battery, they don’t run down much unless you run the starter quite a bit. You might want to get an auxiliary motor mount and find a 3hp for backup. Keep us posted on your progress.