'61 Johnson Seahorse 40 vs. '66 Mercury 500

'61 Johnson Seahorse 40 vs. '66 Mercury 500

  • 1961 Johnson Super Seahorse 40hp

    Votes: 6 60.0%
  • 1965 Mercury 500 50hp

    Votes: 4 40.0%

  • Total voters
    10

aborgman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 30, 2007
Messages
210
I currently have two motors that I can use on my boat - and I don't plan on keeping both. One will be going up for sale, and I'm trying to decide which.

Assuming both currently in relatively good running condition, which would you keep - and why?

1961 Johnson Super Seahorse 40hp (RDS-23) - boats original motor

or

1965 Mercury 500 50hp




I have a pretty good idea what my answer will be - but I want to see what everyone has to say without my answers biasing it... so I'll keep my thoughts to myself for a bit.

--
aborgman
 

coolguy147

Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
2,817
Re: '61 Johnson Seahorse 40 vs. '66 Mercury 500

johnson evinrude any day,


they will run longer and better any day


oh yeah good luck on finding parts for the merc:confused:
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: '61 Johnson Seahorse 40 vs. '66 Mercury 500

For simplicity the Johnson hands down.You can almost keep it running with
a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.When it comes to lots of complication the Merc wins hands down Twin carbs,And a belt driven magneto/Distributor
that on some mercs I believe rotors and caps may be difficult to get.
Can be difficult to get the bottom plug out.I've heard that some drive shafts rust. I have 65 Merc 500 I love it but am a little wary of my future repairs.I bought the boat a few years ago, a 57 Crestliner , Mercs been on it since 65.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,817
Re: '61 Johnson Seahorse 40 vs. '66 Mercury 500

The Evinrude is probably the more rugged of the two motors. The Merc will have better power and smoothness, and give better performance. How long to you plan to keep these antiques?
 
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