Retro Crestliner Discussion Forum

mak3r0fth1ngs · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Alexandria, KY

Hello All, I'm nearing the completion of my 58 14' Voyager and will more than likely sell it in the spring to make room for the 55 15' Voyager I plan to restore and then keep. Not knowing much about outboards and with the 58 Voyager, I have the option of going with a 1958 50HP Evinrude Starflite Four/Fifty - real gas hog but a nice clean running motor OR a lighter, clean, good running and more fuel efficient 1958 35HP Evinrude Lark. I'm sure it's a matter of personal opinion but what would be a better selling point to a potential buyer - the 50 HP or the 35 HP, and why? I do have a clean decent running spare 1959 50HP Starflite to go with the other. Thanks. Martin
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1955 15' Voyager (waiting to be restored)
1958 14' Voyager (restoration almost complete)
Several 1950's era Evinrude and Johnson outboards, 3-50HP, in various stages of running and restoration.

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

Which motor will bring more $$ depends on the buyer's preference. If I was just going to use it for show and not run it much, the 50 would be my choice, but, being a guy who believes in running the old boats a lot, I'd give more for a good 35, especially the Lark, if the case is lookin' real nice. I've seen 50s that guys darn near give away because of their gas guzzleing reputation and their weight - although today's new 4-strokes also have the weight!
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There was an update kit for the 1958 50s that improved the gas mileage some (had to do with the throttle carb/spark advance linkage if I remember right), but they still use a lot of gas because the lower unit is just too darn big! - like a big club dragging trrough the water. Now if you swap a lower unit from a 60 HP V4 - they were a lot thinner/sleeker - and will make a big difference in the gas.
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You will probably get other opinions on this - but that's my 2HP on the subject!
Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

Day_Cruiser · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Alexandria, VA

I totally agree with Dave. I installed the 4-50's when they were new. They were probably unique for their low power, heavy weight, and horrific gas consumption. We had to buy a heavier test tank for them.

We were elated when the 1960 models came out with more power and a thinner lower unit.

The 1958 Lark 35 is classy looking and much more practical.
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1958/9 14' Crestliner Jetstreak

mak3r0fth1ngs · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Alexandria, KY

thanks for the replies! makes sense, I may have to find that smaller lower unit as the 50HP I have is real nice and came from a now deceased outboard mechanic's personal collection that I somehow stumbled upon a few years back. I will keep the 35 as I know where I can get another... which brings up another question.

I know the voyagers were rated for 60hp but when running twins, say I decide to put two 35hp Larks on the back (just never full throttle), do I need right and left props and how do the controls work for two motors?
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1955 15' Voyager (waiting to be restored)
1958 14' Voyager (restoration almost complete)
Several 1950's era Evinrude and Johnson outboards, 3-50HP, in various stages of running and restoration.

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

You are correct - the 1958 spec sheet shows the Voyagers rated at 60 HP, but at 70 with twins. For two 35 Larks, you use standard props on both, as there was not an opposed rotation model made. I've only seen twins with one having the prop spinning opposite on some big old 6 cylinder Mercurys.
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For only 35 HP, the opposed prop rotation is not needed, however, the boat will tend to list to the left some, as it does with only one motor, but not real significant. If you want to negate that effect, there are things you can do, like attach short, angled keels to the bottom of the boat. I think there was a discussion here about the various methods awhile back - try running a search. Some newer big motors, and I/O drives, have a small adjustable baffle plate (not sure what the correct name is) hanging under the cavitation plate just downstream of the prop to negate the effect of prop rotation on boat balance.
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There are remote control boxes with two sets of everything for the twin setups. these are a bit rare, but you sometimes find them on E-Bay. You may want to go to the antique outboard website (www.aomci.org)and post a free "Wanted" ad on their "Webtervise" board. They also have an excellent message board like this one but dedicated to old outboards. Johnson/Evinrude also made a special cable/pulley steering hardware for the motors when running twins.
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You will learn that you can take some fun corners by gunning the motor on the side opposite the way you are turning as you turn the steering wheel - be careful though - at higher speeds, you can probably flip it, especially in rough water!
Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

mak3r0fth1ngs · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Alexandria, KY

Thanks Dave, good to know I don't have to worry about different props. With the controls, couldn't I just bolt two side by side... I have a few Simplex controls which are pretty narrow anyway and could simple run two long bolts through them as the holes mate up perfectly??
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1955 15' Voyager (waiting to be restored)
1958 14' Voyager (restoration almost complete)
Several 1950's era Evinrude and Johnson outboards, 3-50HP, in various stages of running and restoration.

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

Putting them side by side will make the shift lever on one hit the throttle lever on the other. You may be able to do some adapting to get the throttles next to each other and the shifts next to each other - that's the way the dual setups are. - you may have to make some flat metal plates to make that happen.

Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

54fleetwin · Joined: 07 Sep 2010 Posts: 30 Location: North of San Diego

Hanging 2 35's on the transom is an extra 80 pounds not counting the extra tank with fuel

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota