Somebody is sure to say it is a gas hog, so we might as well get that out of the way. Otherwise, they were a very successful motor and a pioneer in V-4 technology. Not super fast on a light boat, they proved their worth on a heavier boat.
Boosted to 75hp the following year, but the 50 continued to be made with the 75hp lower unit and sold as 60hp by Gale until 1963, then in 1964 Evinrude and Johnson incorporated it into their line, still as a 60 as a lower-cost motor alongside their 75hp. The 60 would run within a mile or two as fast as a 75, but on less gas. Yep, you heard that right, the “gas hog” ran on less gas than the 75!!
.
.