You guessed it! Outboard motors were the key to regular folks getting a motorized boat without winning a lottery first. This article has many interesting photos, plus gives a good feel for how people in the early 20th century were thinking about outboards and boats designed for them.
There seems to be a major focus on the Lockwood-Ash. Even though the writer never mentions their name, the accompanying photo within the article must have made it clear to the attentive reader. I have added a LA ad, but the other photos and diagrams are original to the article.
One of the conspicuous features of the rapid growth of motor boating as a sport is the detachable outboard motor and the small boat designed to carry it safely. There are many builders of motors of this kind and the varieties produced are extensive. Some builders favor the type in which the propeller is placed on the end of a vertical shaft and the motor carried in a horizontal plane. Others prefer to extend the crankshaft of the motor and mount the propeller on its extremity. The angle of shaft inclination in these types is rather steep, but the loss of efficiency is probably no greater than is occasioned by the bevel gear transmission of other types.
The general average of power for these portable units is about 3 h.p. This is ample for all ordinary requirements, for cases in which the motor is to be used in conjunction with a rowboat. It occasionally happens that these motors are needed for heavier boats and there is even one small 18-foot cruiser built to be driven by this style of engine. Here it is advisable to use more powerful motors of the two cylinder types which develop up to 5 h.p. In fact cases have come to our notice where two of these portables have been coupled to a houseboat with a flat bottomed hull and were quite successful in moving from place to place.
The sport fisherman finds he can get out further from shore in his quest for game, and when it comes to trolling, why the little motors are able to move the boat just the correct speed for all cases.
What can be more convenient than a portable motor for the big yacht tender. Generally, when it comes time to go ashore everybody is in a hurry. In nearly every instance the visiting guests have lingered too long and must hasten to catch cars or trains and every minute counts. In such anchorages where there is a swift current running it is a tedious job to row a boat loaded with four or five persons against the tide to the landing stage, and did you notice, the tide always manages to be running the wrong way? The handy little motor over the stern is ready at all times to respond to a turn of the handle and be off with its load. There are other uses too for these motors. At many summer resort lakes in the mountains the vacationist spends the greater part of his day on the lake in a small boat. How convenient it is to be able to move about without any exertion and vacation in a real leisurely fashion.
For operation by children and unskilled persons these motors are ideal. Most makes of motors control by means of a pushbutton on the handle. The motor may be quickly started, stopped, or reversed and the boat is always under perfect control by reason of a rudder which is fitted close to the propeller. For ignition purposes there s generally a small magneto built into the same unit as the flywheel. This simplifies the ignition and obviates the necessity for batteries and coil to be carried separately. For those who prefer to place their trust in batteries this form of ignition is optional on many motors.
The general method for starting these small machines consists of twirling the flywheel by means of a small handle placed there for that purpose. Some, however, have a built-in device which consists of a strap and a handle which spins the motor when it is pulled.
A clutch which permits of a free-engine is an advantage provided by some builders, while others can tip their motor up so the propeller can be with-drawn from the water and moved over any shallow places or cleared of obstructions, weeds, etc.
The extensive use of aluminum for crankcase castings and other parts has served to bring the weight down noticeably. In fact the average weight of all the motors tabulated on page 100 is only about 75 pounds. The portability of these little motors has done much to popularize them. They can be packed into a carrying case and readily moved about from place to place. Of course, the weight of 75 odd pounds is not such as to permit of their being carried by children. In spite of the fact that they are termed portable it requires some effort to move them.
One of the principal objections to the large size built-in motors, namely the operating costs, does not exist with these little machines. The tanks only hold a gallon or thereabouts of gasoline and the cost of this is trifling. In most of the motors particularly of the two-cycle type the lubricating oil is mixed with the gasoline and furnishes at once an automatic positive lubricating system which will not fail to work. These little machines will operate on about one quart of fuel per hour and a mileage of 25 miles to the gallon is not unusual.
Some of the outstanding features of the latest models turned out by a western manufacturer
(Lockwood Ash) are a built-in gasoline tank, it being an alloy casting light and strong, so designed to form the upper half of the crankcase, making the gasoline tank and crankcase a solid unit to which the cylinder is attached.
This new aluminum tank is provided with a removable top to allow of easy cleaning out of the tank if occasion ever necessitates it. It is further provided with a very efficient removable strainer, which effectually prevents accumulated water or sediment from reaching the mixing valve, and the result of this construction eliminates the one fragile feature of the rowboat motor, the same strength of metals as the cylinder itself, and is scarcely more likely to receive damage from accidental shock than would the cylinder itself.
An entirely new mixing valve of proper capacity and design into which has been built a choking device, whose sole purpose is an aid in starting. This choking device is so arranged that inflow of air is never entirely cut off, as it is obvious that the gasoline vapor cannot be drawn into the engine unless a suitable amount of air is drawn in to cause this gasoline to vaporize, and with the proper use of this built in choke, the old priming operation and the resultant disagreeable feature of oily clothing and soiled hands has been entirely done away with, as has the disagreeable feature of the heretofore ever-present gasoline and oil spray on the stern seat of the boat.
This rowboat motor steers by rudder, a feature fully appreciated by the experienced operator, but perhaps only given a passing notice by the inexperienced prospective purchaser. The rudder has been steering ships since ships were known, and in all these years man has not been able to improve upon it. The ease in which the boat can be handled; the fact that the boat is under control all the time it is under motion, the ease with which the rudder line may be attached and steering effected from the forward part of the boat, makes the rudder the one logical means of steering.
A great many lovers of the great outdoors will be disappointed this summer when they go to buy an outboard motor boat. Having been in touch with all the large builders of small boats during the last few weeks we were surprised to learn that there were less than fifty unsold or unordered outboard motor boats in stock with the builders on April 1st.
There is a bigger demand today for this type of boat than all the other models of boats put together. There are sure to be a great many disappointed when the season opens. There is yet plenty of time for the building of many more boats of this type and the way boat builders are receiving orders shows that many of those who were disappointed last summer are taking no chance this year! The wise man is he who places his order early.
It is our advice to those who contemplate purchasing such a boat that they get in touch with some first class builder at once, and have a boat reserved for them when they are ready to use it.
A large boat building concern in New York has made a special study of the outboard motor boat for several years, and are today perhaps building more boats of this type than all of the rest of the builders put together. After considerable experimenting they found that a boat built of white cedar was the most practical. In order to get a boat that was dependable under all conditions, whether on open water or small lakes, a boat sixteen feet long by four feet wide was found to be most practical.
The next difficulty to overcome was the matter of price in order to make it popular with everyone. In order to do this it was necessary to make them on a standard production line basis. Hundreds of them are being built right along. The boats are reenforced throughout in order to get the vibrations down to a minimum. The smooth skinned boat, which finds favor in many localities, is riveted at the bilge and at all points that carry a strain. The weight of the boat is complete is approximately 150 pounds. Its large, wide keel, on which planking is rabbeted, insures protection to the boat when it is being drawn upon a rocky shore and also that it will remain upon an even keel when resting in the boathouse or on the shore.
The list which follows contains complete details of all outboard motor boats as well as the little motors designed particularly to propel them, built by American manufacturers.
There seems to be a major focus on the Lockwood-Ash. Even though the writer never mentions their name, the accompanying photo within the article must have made it clear to the attentive reader. I have added a LA ad, but the other photos and diagrams are original to the article.
One of the conspicuous features of the rapid growth of motor boating as a sport is the detachable outboard motor and the small boat designed to carry it safely. There are many builders of motors of this kind and the varieties produced are extensive. Some builders favor the type in which the propeller is placed on the end of a vertical shaft and the motor carried in a horizontal plane. Others prefer to extend the crankshaft of the motor and mount the propeller on its extremity. The angle of shaft inclination in these types is rather steep, but the loss of efficiency is probably no greater than is occasioned by the bevel gear transmission of other types.
The general average of power for these portable units is about 3 h.p. This is ample for all ordinary requirements, for cases in which the motor is to be used in conjunction with a rowboat. It occasionally happens that these motors are needed for heavier boats and there is even one small 18-foot cruiser built to be driven by this style of engine. Here it is advisable to use more powerful motors of the two cylinder types which develop up to 5 h.p. In fact cases have come to our notice where two of these portables have been coupled to a houseboat with a flat bottomed hull and were quite successful in moving from place to place.
The sport fisherman finds he can get out further from shore in his quest for game, and when it comes to trolling, why the little motors are able to move the boat just the correct speed for all cases.
What can be more convenient than a portable motor for the big yacht tender. Generally, when it comes time to go ashore everybody is in a hurry. In nearly every instance the visiting guests have lingered too long and must hasten to catch cars or trains and every minute counts. In such anchorages where there is a swift current running it is a tedious job to row a boat loaded with four or five persons against the tide to the landing stage, and did you notice, the tide always manages to be running the wrong way? The handy little motor over the stern is ready at all times to respond to a turn of the handle and be off with its load. There are other uses too for these motors. At many summer resort lakes in the mountains the vacationist spends the greater part of his day on the lake in a small boat. How convenient it is to be able to move about without any exertion and vacation in a real leisurely fashion.
For operation by children and unskilled persons these motors are ideal. Most makes of motors control by means of a pushbutton on the handle. The motor may be quickly started, stopped, or reversed and the boat is always under perfect control by reason of a rudder which is fitted close to the propeller. For ignition purposes there s generally a small magneto built into the same unit as the flywheel. This simplifies the ignition and obviates the necessity for batteries and coil to be carried separately. For those who prefer to place their trust in batteries this form of ignition is optional on many motors.
The general method for starting these small machines consists of twirling the flywheel by means of a small handle placed there for that purpose. Some, however, have a built-in device which consists of a strap and a handle which spins the motor when it is pulled.
A clutch which permits of a free-engine is an advantage provided by some builders, while others can tip their motor up so the propeller can be with-drawn from the water and moved over any shallow places or cleared of obstructions, weeds, etc.
The extensive use of aluminum for crankcase castings and other parts has served to bring the weight down noticeably. In fact the average weight of all the motors tabulated on page 100 is only about 75 pounds. The portability of these little motors has done much to popularize them. They can be packed into a carrying case and readily moved about from place to place. Of course, the weight of 75 odd pounds is not such as to permit of their being carried by children. In spite of the fact that they are termed portable it requires some effort to move them.
One of the principal objections to the large size built-in motors, namely the operating costs, does not exist with these little machines. The tanks only hold a gallon or thereabouts of gasoline and the cost of this is trifling. In most of the motors particularly of the two-cycle type the lubricating oil is mixed with the gasoline and furnishes at once an automatic positive lubricating system which will not fail to work. These little machines will operate on about one quart of fuel per hour and a mileage of 25 miles to the gallon is not unusual.
The cost of maintenance is also negligible quantity. If the cost of the motor is divided by its useful life it will be found to be under $10.00 a year. The simplicity of these little motors is such that there is little to go wrong with them. Their principal requirements being that they are kept reasonably clean and free from moisture. One of the greatest evils of any electrical device is moisture in the wrong place. Contacts with water present will short-circuit and the necessary spark will occur any place except at the spark plug points.
(Lockwood Ash) are a built-in gasoline tank, it being an alloy casting light and strong, so designed to form the upper half of the crankcase, making the gasoline tank and crankcase a solid unit to which the cylinder is attached.
The walls of this tank are light in weight, yet, being cast metal, has sufficient strength to withstand the accidental bumping that these machines are more or less subjected to when left upon the boat and tied in mooring places where parking space is at a premium, and, because of strength and rigidity, does entirely away with the vibrant sounding board effect of the older style sheet metal gasoline tank.
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| This 1921 ad was run in almost every sport magazine I could find. |
A new and highly improved magnet is supplied on this new model. The magneto has been greatly enlarged - both the magneto and electrical parts - solely to insure a margin of ignition strength sufficient to counteract a reasonable mis-adjustment.
Appreciating that these machines go into the hands of operators who, in many cases, know nothing about the theory of their operation, this margin of safety is provided so they may operate satisfactorily even though not operating at their maximum strength of efficiency. This additional strength immediately shows itself in the starting qualities of the motor, and continues very much in evidence throughout the life of the engine by the marked absence of the necessity for frequent adjustments. With this new magneto the engine may run in either direction, and shows equal strength whether running right- or left-handed.
A new and highly improved magnet is supplied on this new model. The magneto has been greatly enlarged - both the magneto and electrical parts - solely to insure a margin of ignition strength sufficient to counteract a reasonable mis-adjustment.
This new aluminum tank is provided with a removable top to allow of easy cleaning out of the tank if occasion ever necessitates it. It is further provided with a very efficient removable strainer, which effectually prevents accumulated water or sediment from reaching the mixing valve, and the result of this construction eliminates the one fragile feature of the rowboat motor, the same strength of metals as the cylinder itself, and is scarcely more likely to receive damage from accidental shock than would the cylinder itself.
An entirely new mixing valve of proper capacity and design into which has been built a choking device, whose sole purpose is an aid in starting. This choking device is so arranged that inflow of air is never entirely cut off, as it is obvious that the gasoline vapor cannot be drawn into the engine unless a suitable amount of air is drawn in to cause this gasoline to vaporize, and with the proper use of this built in choke, the old priming operation and the resultant disagreeable feature of oily clothing and soiled hands has been entirely done away with, as has the disagreeable feature of the heretofore ever-present gasoline and oil spray on the stern seat of the boat.
A great many lovers of the great outdoors will be disappointed this summer when they go to buy an outboard motor boat. Having been in touch with all the large builders of small boats during the last few weeks we were surprised to learn that there were less than fifty unsold or unordered outboard motor boats in stock with the builders on April 1st.
There is a bigger demand today for this type of boat than all the other models of boats put together. There are sure to be a great many disappointed when the season opens. There is yet plenty of time for the building of many more boats of this type and the way boat builders are receiving orders shows that many of those who were disappointed last summer are taking no chance this year! The wise man is he who places his order early.
It is our advice to those who contemplate purchasing such a boat that they get in touch with some first class builder at once, and have a boat reserved for them when they are ready to use it.
A large boat building concern in New York has made a special study of the outboard motor boat for several years, and are today perhaps building more boats of this type than all of the rest of the builders put together. After considerable experimenting they found that a boat built of white cedar was the most practical. In order to get a boat that was dependable under all conditions, whether on open water or small lakes, a boat sixteen feet long by four feet wide was found to be most practical.
The next difficulty to overcome was the matter of price in order to make it popular with everyone. In order to do this it was necessary to make them on a standard production line basis. Hundreds of them are being built right along. The boats are reenforced throughout in order to get the vibrations down to a minimum. The smooth skinned boat, which finds favor in many localities, is riveted at the bilge and at all points that carry a strain. The weight of the boat is complete is approximately 150 pounds. Its large, wide keel, on which planking is rabbeted, insures protection to the boat when it is being drawn upon a rocky shore and also that it will remain upon an even keel when resting in the boathouse or on the shore.
The list which follows contains complete details of all outboard motor boats as well as the little motors designed particularly to propel them, built by American manufacturers.
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