Reply To: Johnson PO15’s

[David Bartlett]

Here’s my take on the PO-15.  I own about 20 outboards, mostly Johnson’s, and of these I run the PO more than any of them, for the following reasons.

1. These things are practically bulletproof if they have had good lubrication.
2. The are easy to maintain, and they start very easily once you get to know them.
3. They are a blast to run, I only wish the gas tank was bigger because it empties out very quickly! I run about 40 gallons through mine every season. The “Smiles Per Gallon” are infinitely worth the cost.
4. They just look cool. Kind of prehistoric with all the levers and such.

As OBnut stated, the long tiller is what you want if running from the motor end of the boat. Buy it, Run it. You won’t regret it(except for your back)! As for cooling, the pressure/vacuum cooling works very well if you charge the system by speeding up initially. I love the fact that it has no water pump, and have never had any overheating issues. I run mine on a 16:1 mix and it likes it just fine.

I got mine about 8 years ago for $40. It had been put up dry about 20 years earlier. The gas tank was spotless. I cleaned the points and changed the grease in the gearcase. That’s it!

David Bartlett
Pine Tree Boating Club Chapter

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"