Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Johnson Seahorse 30

M

M Avila

Guest
Hi We have a Johnson Seahorse

Hi We have a Johnson Seahorse 30. It is probably around 1959. Model #RDE180 Serial #1488472. Question is How fast should we be going wot? Seems like a bird can go faster than us..LOL Help. Boat is a 15ft 1959 Perfection.
 
"If u are having running prob&

"If u are having running prob's..u always have to start w/the basics of spark tests,compression tests,and fuel delivery."
 
"1956 Sounds like the motor m

"1956 Sounds like the motor may be running on one cylinder.It has a coil , points and condenser / capacitor for each cylinder (dual ignition ). Check to make sure spark will jump at least a 1/4" gap. Remove flywheel and check for cracked coils ( very common ) on the older motors."
 
Ok but do you know aprox how f

Ok but do you know aprox how fast this motor should go? It seems to run great just not going very fast at all. Wide open maybe 15 mph maybe..?
 
"The combinations are too vari

"The combinations are too varied to say it should run a certain speed...depends on boat,load,prop etc...engine condition,."
 
Ok. What about prop size? We

Ok. What about prop size? We have two props. One has a little more pitch to the scoop. The other is a little less scoop. Flatter is what I guess I am trying to discribe. Sorry just a grandma with a new toy for the grandkids and they want to fish..Boat has been in the fam but the people who knew about the boat are long gone. So please excuse the stupid questions. Husband is very smart if we could find out where to start to find the problem he will be able to fix it I am sure. Thanks for your time and quick response.
 
"the one w/more pitch,is consi

"the one w/more pitch,is considered more of a 'power'prop,..and would be the slower top end,of the 2...the flatter one,would be faster top end,..but slower to get out of the water on 'plane'."
 
"Ok boy I am feeling real stup

"Ok boy I am feeling real stupid here but...LOl Plane being to flatten out on the water at high speed right..Well what if you can never get to plane..Seems to just want to go at that speed where you think it is going to plane but never will. That is why I asked how fast should this motor be moving the boat, aprox. Seems like it runs great just not moving very well in the water. It stays the same from start to finish, doesnt seem to have a plane if you know what I mean? Sorry. Maybe it is just a friggin old motor and that is what it does?? Sure is making me feel like I need a new one already. I could run faster than this boat and I am a g-ma. LOL"
 
"i doubt the prior owners woul

"i doubt the prior owners would have tolerated a boat that would not plane..i dont know what kind of boat you have....unless it is of a non-planing type,...then u need to start checking the engine out for spark ,compression,fuel,and overheating."
 
"The boat is a 15ft fiberglass

"The boat is a 15ft fiberglass 1959 Perfection with a 30 hp Johnson Seahorse Outboard. With two props..One with a slight scoop and one with a little bigger scoop or pitch as you would call it. I know the prior owners would have the boat in running condition but they died and the boat and motor sat... My sister-in-law had it and she had a shop work on it to make sure it was in great running condition.... Did that and It sat.. She didnt use it for a year. We got it... Now it runs great.. Doesnt miss, Sounds good. Just no speed in the water. Maximum speed we can get if we are lucky is about 15 mph. If the wind is a blowing on that lake we will never get back...without the help of our troling motor..and it is a 4 hp troling motor and it pushes the boat as fast as the 30 johnson seahorse wide open. So any sugestions??? How can you check the rpm's. We will check the spark but it seems good like I said the motor runs great just no speed.. We will check the fly wheel, and the other stuff sugested. Thanks Maybe they just didnt go faster than 15 mph in that motor on a boat like that in that year? Hummmm ??? How do you know if it is a non planing type of boat? Or are you just messing with me? LOL Is there really such a thing? I just want to fish and take the grand kids out for some fun. Dont want to get stuck on the lake with them. Thanks"
 
Back
Top