The Old Outboard Book [Paperback]

Peter Hunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2002

"Incredible amount of detail about all those kickers from the past, including an appendix with comprehensive model-year information."
­­WoodenBoat

"This book is the one to buy if you are interested in collecting antique outboard motors."
­­Boating

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Incredible amount of detail about all those kickers from the past, including an appendix with comprehensive model-year information." - WoodenBoat; "This book is the one to buy if you are interested in collecting antique outboard motors." - Boating

From the Back Cover

"This book is the one to buy if you are interested in collecting antique outboard motors."--Boating

The only complete guide to finding and identifying vintage outboard engines

Antique outboard motors have a mystique much like vintage cars, and they're much more affordable. Plus, once restored, they can be put to good use again, providing power for putt-putting around, fishing, waterskiing, or even racing.

The Old Outboard Book tells the story of the outboard motor, from the earliest days near the end of the nineteenth century through the dawn of the modern outboard era in the 1960s. Virtually every outboard motor ever built is here: Caille, Champion, Evinrude, Flambeau, Johnson, Martin, Mercury, Scott-Atwater, Waterwitch--the Big List chapter covers them all. The book also includes comprehensive oil-mix and spark plug charts for most old outboards.

The third edition of Peter Hunn's classic continues the story of the outboard motor, extending the coverage of U.S. and Canadian motors up to the mid-1970s and adding motors from Australia and Great Britain. In addition, the pricing and rarity guide and the complete model-year list have been updated.

If you're a buff of old outboard motors, you need this book.

"Love old outboard motors? Check out The Old Outboard Book."--Motor Boating & Sailing

"Incredible amount of detail about all those kickers from the past."--WoodenBoat

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 3 edition (May 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071383093
• ISBN-13: 978-0071383097
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Transportation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A laymans' guide to the full spectrum of outboarding history, November 1, 1998

By 

Bill Kelly ([e-mail]) (Hawaii Island, Konaside) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Outboard Book (Paperback)

Peter Hunn has distilled a plethora of details about the history of the outboard motor into a readable and accurate record. The entire range of outboard engineering from the first iron and brass "knucklebusters" to the more modern engines developed after WWII. The places. The people. The times. All gathered into concise, understandable and interesting reading. Among the more interesting chapters is a section on collectible model outboards, a model - year guide for the more popular brands, even a price guide of estimated collectors valuations for most older models. A "must read" for the antique and vintage outboard buff!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Old Outboard Book, March 9, 2001

By 

Garry W. Spencer (Tampa, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Outboard Book (Paperback)

I grew up on a lake and so was around boats and outboards most of my life. My Dad had a book on outboards that was writen by one of his friends. When Dad died I looked for it, but could not find it. I checked with Amazon.con and was told it was out of print. They did have Peter Hunn's book however. I liked the review and bought it. When it came, I could not put it down. For anyone interested in outboards, it has a wealth of information. I found it well written and easy to follow. Mr. Hunn gives the history of the major brands and many I had never heard of. It is amply illistrated and shows a sampling of engines from almost the turn of the century through the mid '60s. If you find an old motor and want to know when it was built, it's in there. If you want to know what spark plug is recomended for your Dad's old fishing motor, it's in there. If a meighbor wants to know what his grandfather's row boat motor is worth, It has guide lines for that also. It even covers toy outboards. It has tips on where to find parts. I have started collecting now and it has become a reference that I use almost dayly. In short it will introduce you to the fasenating hobby of antique outboard collecting. If you are already a collector, this is your Bible.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the history of the outboard motor., June 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Old Outboard Book (Paperback)

The Old Outboard Book by Peter Hunn is an excellent overview of the origins of the outboard motor and its development. The book covers the pioneers of the industry like Ole Evinrude, the third grade educated motor builder who was full of ingenuity. It tells the tale of Carl Kiekhaefer, the mechanical engineer whose stumbling onto a few leftover motors in the manufacturing plant he bought led to the creation of Mercury Marine, one of the largest producers of outboards today. As an enthusiast of old outboard motors, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a subject which is very difficult to find information on, and this book is a very good starting point. The basics of collecting are covered, such as what to look for, how much to pay, etc. There is also some basic technical information for old outboards from both major and minor manufacturers, as well as some very good illustrations. This book provides an excellent history lesson and a "how to" collection guide, but it is not a repair or technical manual by any means. I would recommend it to anyone who has ever had the cover off and old outboard.