A Motor for the Boat!

     Picked up the first of many things to start off the "Mystnyx" Dianne's Rose project. I began a complete teardown on a 1963 FDL-17M which is an 18 HP Long-shaft Electric Start Johnson 2-cycle outboard. A relatively rare engine these days, but had a long and mighty run in the both the Johnson and Evinrude lineup, as OMC made Johnson and Evinrude 18's from 1957 until about 1973.

 In that year, OMC changed the engine slightly, putting on bigger carburetor and began marketing it as a 25 HP.   The old 18-20 hp Johnson/Evinrude motors were some of the best pound for pound motors ever made and very sought after these days. It was a good find for me at $200CDN, with a few things to be done, the motor was in a great condition overall.

Two-Stroke Versus Four-Stroke:

Most people shopping for a new motor assume that a 4 stroke is more powerful and, therefore, better. This isn’t necessarily the case. There are some advantages and disadvantages to each type of motor.

In a two-stroke motor, the crankshaft will turn once for every cycle of the piston. This engine creates power once every two strokes of the piston, which means more bang, for a smaller sized displacement.

Also, because it only takes two strokes for each cycle, there are less valves and gears which makes the motor lighter. In terms of horsepower to weight ratios, the two-stroke is an advantage.

In a four-stroke engine the crankshaft makes two rotations for every one cycle of the piston. This means that power is created one time for every four strokes. This means the engine works less hard, on each power stroke, and is more quiet.

The two-stroke requires that oil be mixed with the gas which can be messy, and reduce fuel economy. Burnt oil out the exhaust can also smell. These engines don’t require you to add oil, are more fuel-efficient, and have greater durability. However most four-strokes require professional service maintenance, while the two-stroke is easily maintained and repaired by the average do-it-yourselfer.

Contrary to popular belief, two-strokes aren't a dying breed. The fact is, carbureted two-strokes are going away due to their inability to comply with increasingly stringent emissions legislation. However, the DFI two-stroke outboards are thriving and remain popular.

In my case, it comes down to price, spend upwards of $2,700 and rely on a manufacturers warranty, or pay substantially less with something I can repair and maintain on my own. Currently, most lakes and oceans in B.C. still allow carbureted two-stroke engines, although environmental laws are changing. For now, I can get the "Mystnyx" out on the water - and look to a motor upgrade when the time comes.

The OMC 18 H.P. outboard was made from 1957-1973

    This older style 2-stroke means that I will have to mix the oil with the gas. These OMC older motors were apparently one of the first that were built WITH needle bearings in the crankshaft and rods. However they still use a bushing on the top, or piston end of the connecting rods. I have seen see may ideas on outboard message boards as to oil ratios, all the way from factory recommended at that time of 16-1 up to way higher, depending on the age of the motor. What they usually do not mention is the type, or quality of this oil being used. These motors were recommended at 32-1 and with the full synthetic oils probably would have no problem with 50:1, although I will continue mix the recommended mixture.

After picking up the engine I needed to make an outboard motor stand - here is a quick and easy method:

Making a simple outboard motor stand

First thing will be to pull the carb apart and rebuild!

With the "Ethanol" blended gases, the old varnished cork floats need to be replaced.

The alcohol will cause the varnish to rub off and gum up the carb. In addition, all the fuel lines need to be made ethanol friendly, including the fuel pump.

Removing all of the "fuel" components and replacing them,

My 18HP FDL-17M Johnson Test-Running In A Barrel

All in all I repaired or replaced the following components:

• Coils -  Ignition Coil and Lamination with Grommet OMC Part Number: 0584477  x 2 
• Points & Condensers - Ignition Tune-Up Kit OMC Part Number: 0172523
• Spark plugs - Champion x 2
• Plug Wiring -7mm copper core spark plug wire with lacquer coated cloth braid over PVC insulation. 5ft Cloth Braided Spark Plug Wire Red W/ Black & yellow
• Fuel Filter & Gasket - Sierra International 18-2889-9 Marine Filter Bowl Gasket - Pack of 2, Fuel Filter, Small OMC Part 0308239
• Water Pump Impeller - Sierra International 18-3377 - Water Pump Kit 382468, Without Housing
• Rebuilt Carburetor - CARBURETOR SERVICE KIT OMC Part Number: 439071
• New Carb Float & Arm  - Johnson/Evinrude/OMC New OEM CARBURETOR FLOAT & ARM 0396514, 396514
• Replaced/Upgraded Fuel Pump  & Gaskets - Johnson/Evinrude/OMC New OEM FUEL PUMP & SCREW KIT  388685, Johnson/Evinrude/OMC New OEM GASKET 0303615, 30361
• Replaced all fuel lines
• Head gasket - Sierra International 18-2962 - Head Gasket  OMC Part: 322332
• Exhaust gasket - EVINRUDE JOHNSON Exhaust GASKET 316162
• Replaced Thermostat and thermostat gaskets - Sierra International 18-0182-9 Thermostat Gasket - Pack of 2,  Thermostat OMC Part 5005440, Thermostat Cover Gasket - OMC Part 0308328 - Thermostat Cover Gasket

In addition, I added the remote control brackets for the shift and throttle linkages. 

It all came with a price, fortunately labour was free. The total cost of parts about $300 USD. So with the initial cost of the motor added. I am in it for about $700 CDN. 

Plans Arrived

A great day!  After investing $305 USD  the plans arrived from Roy Schreyer  and I was pleasantly surprised - they are very detailed - and have  great illustrations! 

Dianne's Rose in Rough Water

Looks like it can take some chop!

With the fall setting in and winter approaching it will be time to scour craigslist and the internet for usable and either low cost or free materials. It will also mean sourcing out marine-plywood. Searching for a power plant and of course, trailers.  So much to be done!

A suitable design

 As far as shanty-style boats go there are many different possible designs.

Phil Thiel's Escargot is a good start, but I didn't feel it had quite the headroom I was looking for.

Other possible candidates were the "free plans" such as the "Bayou Belle" and the Popular Mechanix Houseboat taken out of old magazines.

In the end, I settled on the "Dianne's Rose" which was designed by Canadian Roy Schreyer. I did so for several reasons, mostly it was because of the size and stability. I also liked the "retro" look of the cabin. I ordered a set of study plans today from https://www.roydesignedthat.com/. 

The Start Of Something New

     Well, its three years later, and no further progress. Many changes, a new house, health issues, and other projects kept me from working on the Vacationer project.

     I have to say, my thoughts have now shifted from the sailboat, which I have always been comfortable with, and love the idea of  using the wind for "free power" to a motorboat design.  Mainly for family reasons. I am now looking for something that provides a "cabin" on the water. It seems that it is getting increasingly difficult to find camping spots in B.C., and with the freedom of a boat, it make sense that a "shantyboat" or small houseboat would be in order.

     During the 19th century into the 1930s, itinerant workers lived in shanty boats along the canals and rivers of industrial American towns. It was once a way a life. While doing genealogical research I read an excerpt from my own family,  from my 6x great grandfather, Jacob Judy who was considered a "very ancient and respectable pioneer" in Illinois who immigrated to America when he was just 3 years old. According to The Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties... , Illinois (1883) p.448:

"In the year 1786 he and his family descended the Ohio river to Kentucky. On the river, at the mouth of the Scioto, he heard the Indians making noises to decoy him to land, but he kept straight on. He had but one man with him besides his family. His daughter Nancy Judy, then eighteen years old, steered the boat, while her father, her brother, Samuel Judy, and the hired man, rowed the craft with all possible speed by this dangerous section of the river. He remained two years in Kentucky, and descended the Ohio in a flat boat . He was forced up Cash river , in the present county of Alexander , for protection from the Indians , and remained there for seven weeks, until a boat could come from Kaskaskia to his relief."

A houseboat in the 1930s

A deserted houseboat in 1905

Living in Steveston,a shantyboat design  it is also a nice fit with the history along the Fraser river.   

Steveston Dyke Side Saloon 1901

 "Life was rough and ready on the river front around the turn of the last century. Shown here, a couple of First Nations canoes, three Fraser River type gillnet skiffs and a Columbia River type skiff are moored near the dyke at the foot of Second Avenue in Steveston. A group of men stand on the deck of a small float house and, at centre on the dyke, the Dyke-side Saloon is open for business ready to provide refreshments to bored fishermen between fisheries openings." (Friends of the Richmond Archives)

    A pontoon boat while nice, are expensive, and in most likelihood would not be able to stand up to the wave on the Salish sea. It would be best that such a design would be able to handle some reasonable chop. It would be best if it could accommodate both salt and freshwater.., from lakes to exploring small inlets. A barge style design would work in rougher water, and would also maximize space and comfort.