I’d kind of decided to just sell off the parts of the 18HP and have actually listed it on the classifieds here, and I’d be willing to let it go really cheap or maybe even free if I knew the buyer was going to do something with it beside part it out. I really have no need for the motor even if it were rebuilt. The idea and challenge of bringing it back to life from where it’s been was intriguing; but, doing it with a different powerhead; not so much. I think I’d prefer to sell the guy with the used powerhead the rest of my motor instead and let him restore it, particularly if he has a boat he wants to put it on or a strong desire to own this particular model outboard.
Of course I’m new to this site and this club and just starting to get to know people from their posts and pictures. There seems to be a lot of collectors here and that’s cool, but it’s not me. I really don’t care to just display the motors on a rack, I want to use or see them used on a boat. I collected all of the above outboards during a short period of time around 2009 when I had the illusion that I’d build 10 more powerboats in my lifetime and put these motors on them. But my last boat which took over five years to build between 2012 and 2017 cured me of that notion. At present, I think the only powerboats I have left in me are a 13 to 15 footer that I’d put the Golden Javelin on and a 10 to 12 footer that I’d put my father-in-law’s old SeaKing 6HP on for his great grandchildren to enjoy. I expect I’ll part with the rest of these motors in the not too distant future, but at the moment, I’ve got a yearning to tinker with them. I’m pretty excited about Bobw’s RD-18 restore and am kind of thinking that maybe I can ride his coattails and benefit from his knowledge and restore mine right behind him. And with the dour prognosis of my powerhead from you gentleman here, that notion excites me more than doing anything further with the 18HP. I hope Bobw wouldn’t mind.
I’d love to meet personally with fellow AOMCI members but I don’t know how to do so. The site shows we have the Swamp Rats chapter in Covington, Louisiana only an hour away from me; but I can’t find any contact info for any members there or meetings scheduled. I registered myself in the members email directory, but I’m the only one in Louisiana registered there. From the AOMCI roster I can tell we have Louisiana members, who they are and where they live, but there’s no contact info given. There’s a few with addresses close enough that I could just ride over and knock on their door, but I hate to do that. A contact name and number for the Swamp Rats chapter would be appreciated; do you know where this would be listed or how I go about getting this? I can’t believe the contact info is not given, I guess I’m missing something that’s obvious. Thanks Don for your interest and guidance in my projects.
