Which O/B should I look for??

[michaelbluewolf]

I have a 1962 Duratech 16' Neptune, which I am restoring, well updating with later interior and later model power and steering and controls. I have a plan for the decking and seats and interior.
I have no idea what to do about the controls, steering, I beleive this hull has a max. of 60 horsepower. Please help with ideas, what type and brand should I look for and do different outboards weigh less than others? Which brands are better mechanically and what should I be looking for and what should I lookout for?
I had thought to buy a good donor boat with a damaged hull. I have been a auto technician for 33 years, Any car questions I know or can find the answers. Boats, outboards I really don't know.

Thanks in advance for your help, Mike the Mechanic

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Mike, you're going to hear different things from different people. If you talk to someone raised on OMC, you'll hear nothing but that Johnson and Evinrude are the only engines. If you talk to someone like my brother who has run nothing but Mercs for 25 years and has had his share of trouble with OMC, you'll hear that their electronics are better...and so on. If you have someone at your disposal with the skill set to make any necessary repairs for the particular brand and vintage you go with, I'd be most concerned with the proper power matching the boat.

I happen to have the Neptune as well. I run a 2 cylinder 1995 Mercury 60 hp with a standard 3 blade 12 pitch prop. Tilt and trim is a MUST in my opinion, so when you get a motor, be sure it has tilt and that it functions well. I've got the Quicksilver remote with the tilt/trim button built onto the handle...a nice feature. Also be sure that the cavitation plate is approximately level with the "bottom" of the boat. In other words, if you have a 20 inch transom on you Neptune as I do, you need a 20" shaft outboard.

Just to show you an example of how nicely the motor is matched for the Neptune, here is a YouTube clip (10 seconds) showing you a moderate hole shot, and demonstrates how she planes up in 3 - 4 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcbho6qFeJs

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

As for steering...the Neptune came with the old cable steering. I replaced the old damaged cabling and I still love the old cable set up.

 

[michaelbluewolf]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Thanks for the information and the video. I am still in the hull stripping and clean-up stage. I now have the info to start searching for the powertrain and power that I need to look for.
Thanks, Mike the Mechanic

 

[michaelbluewolf]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Hello Again Joe,
How fast is your Neptune with the 60 H/P Mercury on it? I hopefully can pick up a boat with the controls and the steering to transplant into My Neptune. I also have to fabricate a splashwell as it was gone when I bought the boat. For now, I'm in the research and development stage.
I am also thinking of installed stringers betwen the aluminum crossbars in the bottom of the boat to mount the decking into the boat, that way I will have a couple more inches of depth inside the boat instead of on top of the stringers.
Any thoughts,
Mike the Mechanic

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Can you upload a picture of the stripped flooring of your boat? I believe the cross members / stringers were much different between the earlier Neptune and the mid-60's.

When it's just me in the boat, she's likely doing about 45. I am taking her to a mechanic tomorrow, one thing we'll discuss is a stainless performance prop. I'm not out to race anyone, but I'd like to be doing 50 or 55 if I can with the 60hp...but we shall see.

 

[michaelbluewolf]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Ok Joe, Here are the pics of he stringers and the cross supports in the boat.
I also will need to replace the transom wood. I measure it to be about 1" thick or so, does that seem to be the right thickness for the transom?
I realy am thankful to you for all the answers to my many questions.
Thanks Again, Mike the Mechanic

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

I believe my transom wood is more like 1 1/2 thick...but, mine is not the full width as yours...mine is less than 1/3 of the size...just big enough for the motor to mount thru.

Too bad someone removed the splash decking. You're going to bend/break some aluminum for that and rivet?

 

[michaelbluewolf]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Thanks for the information Joe. I have no idea as to the size and depth of the splashwell, If anyone has pictures or dimensions that would be great.
Mike the Mechanic

 

[JoeMan]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Here are 2 pics prior to resto...these will definitely help you out...

 

[michaelbluewolf]

Re: Which O/B should I look for??

Thanks for the pics. I can see that I need to find a HVAC shop that makes their own ducts and air boxes. These guys are real craftsmen when it comes to working with aluminum.
Regards, Mike