Glen-L.com

So I was looking around and came across this motor. It looks great but is only a 35hp. I was wandering if what the performance difference would be for the ZIP. Would there really be that much of a difference if in a 35hp vs. s 40-50hp?

This is the engine:
http://www.smalloutboards.com/e3557.htm

Would it be worth it to keep looking or just get this one? If you need more information just ask and I will do my best to get what you need.

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Turning a dream into reality!

Great looking motor. I can't comment on the performance of the motor but I can on the performance of the vendor. I bought my 1961 40HP Evinrude from the same place and was very happy. They did a custom paint for me, included two bottles of touch up paint and the motor ran perfectly the day I got it. I was lucky enough to be able to drive over, meet them, and pick up my motor but judging on how many motors they sell the seem pretty experienced in shipping them as well.

I clocked 27mph on the GPS with two aboard in my Zip. Not sure how much less you would get with a 35. I find I back off the throttle once it hits plane so I'm not really using all the HP most of the time.

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My Webalbum: http://picasaweb.google.com/Buckeyesmith1/Gem#

The best part about a manual screwdriver is not needing to remember if you left it in reverse.

Completion is but one step in the process and not one bit more important than the others.

We see 30-31 MPH (GPS) on our Zip with a relatively tired 40-HP Merc Mk 55, so I would expect something in that neighborhood with your Evinrude. Once on plane the wetted area is pretty small, so I can pull back to around 3/4 throttle and run in the high 20s. It's much quieter and my fuel lasts longer this way. I have to run a 10"-pitch prop to get full RPM, so I suspect things would be a little better with a fresh engine and more pitch.

-Mark Shipley

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A boat is just a wooden box with no right angles.

I get about 34mph with a Merc 500 50 hp on my Zip.

Roberta

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

I have a 1959 35HP Lark on my 16 ft Whitehouse fibreglass runabout. I get a little over 30 mph with two aboard and it runs great. You really can't beat these old Evinrudes. They are lightweight, easy to maintain and you can still get most parts for them.

Fellow ZIP'per here. For what it's worth I understand that the ZIP design is theoretically rated for 40 hp max and that if you cut down the transom height for a short shaft you should technically 'derate' the max horsepower rating. Given that, many folks seem to be running 40 hp or so with no problems that I have heard of. 50 hp by most accounts would be 'pushing the envelope'. Just some facts to consider. I am going to be running a 35 hp Merc, but then again I put the cart before the horse and am bulding the boat for the engine - go figure.

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This is my first, last and only boat build.

http://www.gdzipbuild.blogspot.com

I cant imagine you would not be pleased with the performance of a 35hp on a Zip unless you plan to have 4 adults in the boat all the time. Its a beautiful motor, no doubt about that!

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Chr ... O0x7SvsQE#

"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

One thing to keep in mind is that the older motors were rated when gasoline didn't have a bunch of alcohol added to it. This topic has been beaten to death on the Merc forums, but the consensus is that the reduced energy density of today's fuels results in lower power output. Some folks have been running 100LL avgas (when they can get it; I can't) and maintain that their motors run better on it. I should also add that I installed fixed-jet carbs on my 1956 Mk 55, and one guy told me that the original, adjustable units were superior and that I'd turned my Mk 55 into a "stump puller" (his words). I'd like to see a max speed of 40 MPH, so I have a Merc 500 waiting in the wings.

-Mark Shipley

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A boat is just a wooden box with no right angles.

Im sure you do lose some performance with 10% ethanol we have in our gas here. I lose 4.5 mpg if I run E85 in my car.

However, I have run both 100LL Avgas and 10% ethanol pump gasoline in my motor and could not feel a difference nor was there a difference shown on my GPS in top speed.

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Chr ... O0x7SvsQE#

"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

Just in case you're interested I have this 1958 35 HP Lark with full harness but no controls. I will be installing new points, condensers, coils, plugs and impeller as soon as the parts arrive. It has not been freshly painted, but is in good condition. The price will be $600. If your post is from the same site I saw, mine will save you about $2400. You can buy a lot of paint with that.