Re: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member

I, for one, really appreciate all that folks like you did when you worked
for OMC. I remember my father telling me when I was a kid that if all lawn
mowers were built like his Lawn-Boy, that they wouldn't need to make new
ones....because all the old ones lasted forever.

For my first boat, I feel that an outboard would be best due to its
simplicity and light-ness....eventually, if we ever get a bigger boat, I'd
like to switch to an OMC stern-drive. However, the one desire I have that
continues through it all is that I want an OMC drive system.

Joe

>From: "Glenn Halweg" <glennhalweg@...>
>Reply-To: omc-boats@...
>To: <omc-boats@...>
>Subject: Re: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
>Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 12:48:51 -0500
>
>Hi Joe,
>
>I know what you mean I worked for OMC until they filed bankruptcy. Worked
>on
>outboards and sterndrive engines. I presently have an outboard but would
>prefer a sterndrive. Grew up on Lake Michigan with an outboard. Later had a
>19' Evinrude Rogue that my brother and I kept in Waukegan harbor. He worked
>for OMC too, once the company folded we couldn't afford to keep the slip.
>Had the boat from 1970 until we sold it in 1988 never a problem with the
>engine. Only problem that we ever had was the transom started to get soft
>by
>the steering pulleys. We cut that out and epoxied in new wood and then
>glassed it
>
>Glenn
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Joe McGill" <jmcgill89@...>
>To: <omc-boats@...>
>Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 11:41 AM
>Subject: Re: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
>
>
> > Glenn,
> >
> > The I/O design wouldn't bother me that much if It didn't necessitate
>lifting
> > the block out of the hull to perform a rebuild. Furthermore, I also
>have
> > extensive experience repairing Lawn-Boy 2-cycle motors (also made by
> > OMC).....and I like the 2-cycle simplicity and weight. Mixing fuel
>doesn't
> > bother me, and I grew up using a Johnson outboard....so I like to stay
>with
> > what I know.
> >
> > Joe
> >
> >
> > >From: "Glenn Halweg" <glennhalweg@...>
> > >Reply-To: omc-boats@...
> > >To: <omc-boats@...>
> > >Subject: Re: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
> > >Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 11:26:47 -0500
> > >
> > >Lee,
> > >
> > >When I had my Rogue I trailered short distances (my house to Waukegan
> > >Harbor
> > >2 miles) with the unit up. Long distances I just took the unit off only
> > >four
> > >screws (bolts) attach it to the intermediate (bell) housing and set it
>in
> > >the boat. I also took the unit off for winter storage so the boat fit
>in
>my
> > >garage. The lower unit is heavy so this is not something I would
>recommend
> > >doing by one's self.
> > >
> > >I also read the post by Joe McGill where he says he would prefer to
>stick
> > >with an outboard. A "shade tree mechanic" might actually prefer a stern
> > >drive unit as they are automobile engines modified for marine use. Of
> > >course
> > >there are less parts in a two stroke engine and there is lots of
> > >information
> > >available. Myself I don't like mixing oil in the gas, the smell of the
> > >exhaust or the amount of smoke given off.
> > >
> > >Glenn
> > >
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Gregory B. Fell" <gfell@...>
> > >To: <omc-boats@...>
> > >Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 10:56 AM
> > >Subject: RE: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
> > >
> > >
> > > > I can't say I wouldn't be more comfortable trailering with the unit
>up.
> > >I
> > > > have had an occasion or two when I've had to navigate a steep grade
>into
> > >a
> > > > parking lot and have gotten out of my vehicle to raise the unit. I
>also
> > > > raise it before backing down the ramp. I'll double check my owners
> > >manual.
> > > > I may even scan the page and post it, if anyone is interested.
>Also,
>as
> > >the
> > > > description by my pictures states, I modified the trailer by adding
> > >bunks.
> > > > This lifted the boat about a 1/4 inch above the factory rollers.
>Not
> > >much,
> > > > but I supposed every little bit helps. Compared with modern
>trailers,
> > >the
> > > > boat really sits up high. With the bunks, I have to back the
>trailer
>in
> > > > pretty far before the boat floats.
> > > >
> > > > As for your questions, my 1969 has cable steering. I've never had
>to
> > >reset
> > > > the cables. Yes, it has a rudder position indicator behind the
>wheel.
> > >I
> > > > recall having to adjust the indicator a couple of years ago. It was
>off
> > >a
> > > > few degrees port side my whole life. My dad never bothered with it.
>I
> > > > recall it being an easy fix; but, I can't remember how I did it
>without
> > > > looking at it again.
> > > >
> > > > Gregory B. Fell
> > > > The Fell Law Firm
> > > > 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 700
> > > > Dallas, Texas 75219
> > > > 972-488-8177
> > > > 214-219-4218 - fax
> > > > gfell@...
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: owner-omc-boats@...
> > >[mailto:owner-omc-boats@...]On
> > > > Behalf Of lib1@...
> > > > Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 10:36 AM
> > > > To: omc-boats@...
> > > > Subject: Re: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
> > > >
> > > > Hi Greg,
> > > >
> > > > Interesting point for discussion. I checked in my 1967 Sportsman
>Owners
> > > > Manual and found no recommendation for up or down (other than always
> > >running
> > > > the engine in the fully down position). It may be that with the
>4-inch
> > > > increase in depth starting with the 1968 Sportsman's that the ground
> > > > clearance increased by a similar amount between the lower unit skeg
>and
> > >the
> > > > ground when sitting on the trailer.
> > > >
> > > > I don't have the factory trailer, so my clearance my be different
> > >especially
> > > > on the shallower '66 Sportsman, but I've always worried about ground
> > > > clearance issues, especially when entering driveways or backing down
> > >launch
> > > > ramps. When launching, I don't lower the drive unit until the boat
>is
>at
> > > > least 1/3 off the trailer. See atch photo.
> > > >
> > > > I asked my OMC mechanic (30-years experience) and he recommended
>tilting
> > >it
> > > > up (while trailering). He also said the original stringer quadrant
>gear,
> > > > tilt mechanics and stringer mounting system are robust enough to not
> > >require
> > > > an extra transom support rod, as recommended on outboards or other
>I/O
> > > > types, I have thought about using a strap or rope as a safety
> > >precaution,
> > > > but never have. I'm curious, what others on this list do or
>recommend?
> > > >
> > > > So, I lower mine while running and when storing it in my 20-ft
>garage.
> > >For
> > > > towing I'll raise it for ground-clearance peace-of-mind, despite the
> > >fact
> > > > that it is more exposed to an idiot driver running into it in the
>raised
> > > > position. One side note: My engine hatch cover hits the top of the
> > >raised
> > > > lower unit, which is a minor pain.
> > > >
> > > > Questions for you:
> > > >
> > > > Does you 69 Sportsman have aircraft cable steering or mechanical
>(rack
>&
> > > > gear) steering?
> > > > Have you ever had to reset your cables after trying to steer the
>unit
>in
> > >the
> > > > up position?
> > > > Does you boat have the rudder direction indicator behind the
>steering
> > >wheel?
> > > >
> > > > Lee Shuster
> > > > Salty Lake City
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Gregory B. Fell" <gfell@...>
> > > > To: <omc-boats@...>
> > > > Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:21 AM
> > > > Subject: RE: OMC Boats for Newbies [omc-boats] New Member
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hey Lee - I was reviewing web site. Great job BTW. On the
> > >"stringers"
> > > > page
> > > > > you state that the boat should be trailered with the unit up. My
> > >owners
> > > > > manual (1969 Sportsman 155) says to trailer with the unit fully
>down.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gregory B. Fell
> > > > > The Fell Law Firm
> > > > > 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 700
> > > > > Dallas, Texas 75219
> > > > > 972-488-8177
> > > > > 214-219-4218 - fax
> > > > > gfell@...
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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>

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Received on Friday, 23 July 2004