Topic: 1917 Aerothrust – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by garry-in-michigan.

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October 4, 2016 at 12:35 pm #5424
Buccaneer
Participant
US Member
Neat looking garage fan, or you could even use it on a boat!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291896593400?it … m=&vxp=mtr

Who usually bought these in the day?
Commercial enterprises? Bayou gentlemen?
I can’t imagine they would be very maneuverable
dodging rocks on the river?

Unlike the current owner, I’d want to hear this baby run!
Might want to give the prop a good coat of varnish first!

Prepare to be boarded!
October 4, 2016 at 1:01 pm #45156
Anonymous
That propeller looks kinda sketchy. Looks dry rotted.
Chris scratch ran one at the MOB chapter Lake Webster meet.
Kinda slow but it did go.

Steve A W
October 4, 2016 at 1:20 pm #45159
Tom
Participant
US Member
As heard at a Yankee Chapter meet years ago… "Man, you had to hate rowing to run one of those."

It was originally quoted in reference to a vertical cylinder Waterman, but certainly applicable here.

T
October 4, 2016 at 10:08 pm #45205
PM T2
Participant
Canada Member
Yes I ran one at Lake Webster. Mine is a non-steerable type, so I rigged up an Elto Light Twin carcass and used the rudder on it to steer my boat. it worked really well, but most members didn’t realize just what I was up to.

I’m quite hurt that it was called "slow".

I’d prefer if the pace was referred to as being "leisurely".

It ran out in the pouring rain for the better part of two hours, and was about the only motor that did so.

The other outboards at the meet didn’t make it onto the lake until the sun came out.

In the end, running like that in the rain didn’t impress anybody, the Aerothrust failed to win the Chapter popularity contest, so I guess its not that good of a motor anyway.

Best, PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...
October 4, 2016 at 10:13 pm #45206
PM T2
Participant
Canada Member
They sold them as stationary engines, ice sled engines, and even advertised them to be mounted on a BICYCLE!

Boy that would feel nice and safe with that big propeller flapping about right behind you eh.

Best,
PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...
October 4, 2016 at 10:20 pm #45209
Buccaneer
Participant
US Member
PM T2 – You deserve an "A" for Effort.
I see yours has the OSHA approved fan guard!!
Thanks for the interesting replies!

Prepare to be boarded!
October 4, 2016 at 11:00 pm #45211
Anonymous
Chris
I’m sorry, It was a leisurely pace!
And if I remember correctly you won the best boat/motor combo.
We liked the the motor, it’s definitely one of the more unique
motors we get to see.

Steve A W
October 5, 2016 at 2:58 pm #45251
PM T2
Participant
Canada Member
quote :

=Unlike the current owner, I’d want to hear this baby run!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q-pSqckgkI

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...
October 5, 2016 at 3:04 pm #45252
Tubs
Participant
What they lack in performance they make
up for with "The Look". They can even
get the attention of those who don’t have
a gear in there head. "The Look" is always
in demand and will be reflected in what it
ends up selling for.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
October 6, 2016 at 2:52 pm #45309
PM T2
Participant
Canada Member
Having both participated in and witnessed transactions involving these motors, all I can add to any speculation of final selling price on this one is that its "unpredictable"….having said that, I’ll vouch that the best chance the average Joe has of picking one up at an "acceptable" cost is either a fresh discovery purchased form a non-collector, or buying from a motor collector acquaintance with whom you can strike a reasonable deal.

This one is labeled as a "PORMO" which was the name Aerothrust used to describe their "portable motor". The early versions were built in Chicago, but this one was built after they moved to La Porte, Indiana.

To the best of my knowledge, PORMO engines were intended to be sold as stationary engines, ostensibly for farm, industrial, or home-owner use. They had a heavy belt pulley mounted onto the power end of the crankshaft, and transferred rotary power via a flat belt to from the crankshaft to whatever machine or apparatus that needed to be used.

Obviously, the auction motor is set up for marine use, so it’s either been converted to mount on on the transom and had the heavy flywheel/drive pulley removed in favour of the wooden propeller, OR it could have been tagged as a PORMO at the factory but instead set up and sold as a boat motor, OR it could be a replacement powerhead. At any rate, it appears to be the wider beaver-tail style prop. These were available both with and without the prop guard cage.

Hope this helps.

Best, PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...
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