Re: Evinrude Model A? RBM – Help needed.

[ausf233]

Thank you guys, I sincerely appreciate your input and the time you have all invested here.

Kees, like you I cannot find any adverts that discuss “Automatic Reversing” prior to 1915. But as you know it was not uncommon for Evinrude to introduce new features during any calendar year and hence it is possible that some reversing units did make it to market in the latter part of 1914.

I think what we all need to be clear on is the differences between Model A and Model B. Maybe that’s where we need to start!

The ‘pitch’ from the above posts suggests that all motors designated Model A have a Auto-reversing gearfoot and that all motors designated Model B have a battery ignition. The spreadsheet however uses the word usually in place of all. Big difference! I ‘suspect’ this may be because Evinrude (whilst still in its infancy really) may have been prepared to option motors to satisfy individual customer order.

From Jack Craibs video of early Evinrude adverts, we can see that a) the flywheel magneto was introduced in 1914 and b) it’s main benefit was eliminating the need to carry 15-20lbs of batteries. To that end, one would think that when we talk battery ignition models, we are talking up to 1913 and more specifically about motors that needed an external battery and buzz coil to operate. Is this correct?

If correct, wouldn’t that also not imply that Model B was released before Model A (kind strange when you think about that) and wouldn’t also imply that the need for a Model B did not exist much beyond introduction of the flywheel magneto. Is there a known run out date for the Model B?

Much of I’ve said in this post is intended to get people thinking, rather than to put across a particular point of view. Yes, I do have 40 odd vintage outboards in my collection, but this is my first Evinrude RBM and to that end, I want to learn from you guys as much as I possibly can about it.

With all that said, what I plan to do over the course of the next few days is take more photos, more measurements, compare against the information on the spread-sheet and post what I find here for your further consideration.

In the meantime, any and all additional input from you is most welcome.

Thanks again for your assistance thus far.

Regards,
AusF233

PS: Thanks Boyd, I will pm T2. From what you say his post contained lots of good information, so it’s a shame to see it gone!