Joe I see you have a 12v battery on your fish finder, you can use this 18v-12v step down transformer you Will definitely get more run time.

I have a 1754 sc which has no rod storage so I picked up this rod holder, I primarily fish from the front so it doesn’t get in the way but I have boat flipped fish over it with no problem. Will definitely keep the rods from under your feet.

35 minutes ago, bigbearstroop122 said:

Joe I see you have a 12v battery on your fish finder, you can use this 18v-12v step down transformer you Will definitely get more run time.

I have a 1754 sc which has no rod storage so I picked up this rod holder, I primarily fish from the front so it doesn’t get in the way but I have boat flipped fish over it with no problem. Will definitely keep the rods from under your feet.

Thank you! I have a pile of 18v Milwaukee battery’s also! And that rod holder is cool!

To me the rod tips look like they reach right to the front deck. I'd be stepping all over those things with my giant clown feet.

1 hour ago, bigbearstroop122 said:

Joe I see you have a 12v battery on your fish finder, you can use this 18v-12v step down transformer you Will definitely get more run time.

I have a 1754 sc which has no rod storage so I picked up this rod holder, I primarily fish from the front so it doesn’t get in the way but I have boat flipped fish over it with no problem. Will definitely keep the rods from under your feet.

6 minutes ago, gim said:

To me the rod tips look like they reach right to the front deck. I'd be stepping all over those things with my giant clown feet.

They actually don’t go onto the deck and you can angle the rod holder different ways.

1 hour ago, Joedodge said:

Thank you! I have a pile of 18v Milwaukee battery’s also! And that rod holder is cool!

@bigbearstroop122 -- thank you for posting the rod holder - I do not have rod storage on my boat and have rigged up something (an old milk crate and some rod holders) that holds the rods vertically but in a strong wind and/or cruising with the boat it can put a lot of stress on the rods -- the ability to lower the rods down to a horizonal position when in heavy wind or when cruising in the boat might work for me -- thank you ! -- thank you @Joedodge for sharing info and asking great questions - all the best with your boat build/set-up !

28 minutes ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

@bigbearstroop122 -- thank you for posting the rod holder - I do not have rod storage on my boat and have rigged up something (an old milk crate and some rod holders) that holds the rods vertically but in a strong wind and/or cruising with the boat it can put a lot of stress on the rods -- the ability to lower the rods down to a horizonal position when in heavy wind or when cruising in the boat might work for me -- thank you ! -- thank you @Joedodge for sharing info and asking great questions - all the best with your boat build/set-up !

No problem!

@WaskaCrank12 take some photos of the interior of you boat and post them. There will be responses here on what is best for road storage.

1 hour ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

@bigbearstroop122 -- thank you for posting the rod holder - I do not have rod storage on my boat and have rigged up something (an old milk crate and some rod holders) that holds the rods vertically but in a strong wind and/or cruising with the boat it can put a lot of stress on the rods -- the ability to lower the rods down to a horizonal position when in heavy wind or when cruising in the boat might work for me -- thank you ! -- thank you @Joedodge for sharing info and asking great questions - all the best with your boat build/set-up !

1 hour ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

@bigbearstroop122 -- thank you for posting the rod holder - I do not have rod storage on my boat and have rigged up something (an old milk crate and some rod holders) that holds the rods vertically but in a strong wind and/or cruising with the boat it can put a lot of stress on the rods -- the ability to lower the rods down to a horizonal position when in heavy wind or when cruising in the boat might work for me -- thank you ! -- thank you @Joedodge for sharing info and asking great questions - all the best with your boat build/set-up !

No problem glad you found it useful.

Not much to update but thought I’d keep it alive. Last time out I blew a trailer light bulb. I never checked the screws on the lenses they were a tad loose. So I replaced the bulb and dried them out and retightened. Also pulled the spare tire off and aired it up and leak checked it since it was empty. And lubed the bracket and hold down fasteners.

Weather here has been rainy and windy as all get out. And the next week forecast is the same. So not sure when I’ll get back out. I’m trying to avoid rain even light rain since the previous owner decked the boat in plywood I’d like to Keep it as nice as I can till I eventually replace all of it.

Before i changed my trailer lights to led's, i had to unplug before i launched.

35 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

Before i changed my trailer lights to led's, i had to unplug before i launched.

That’s a good idea. When these housings connections go bad I’ll be going to led.

Well I’d been looking at marketplace daily for motors. And I finally found a good candidate. After talking with the guy I found out he was around the corner from work. And worked at a local marine shop. It’s a 1971 Johnson 6hp. Came with a 3 gallon gas can and primer hose. It’s had the carb gone through, new water pump impeller, new lower unit oil and new spark plugs. The shop he works for still carry some parts for these and he gave me some resources for parts as well and said contact him if I ever need help. Super clean little 6 horses now I don’t have to baby a trolling motor battery. Hopefully it pushes the little boat fine. Most lakes here are no wake anyway.

Congrats on a motor!

Is that a long or short shaft motor.

7 minutes ago, GRiver said:

Congrats on a motor!

Is that a long or short shaft motor.

Thanks! It’s not a bad lil motor. And the guy was super helpful. It’s a short shaft

Should scoot that boat around real nice. Congrats, those engines are pretty much bullet proof and with a little maintenance should last a lifetime. Even though they are no longer made, there is still a lot of parts out there and even more aftermarket from companies like Sierra.

2 minutes ago, rboat said:

Should scoot that boat around real nice. Congrats, those engines are pretty much bullet proof and with a little maintenance should last a lifetime. Even though they are no longer made, there is still a lot of parts out there and even more aftermarket from companies like Sierra.

That’s what I found and that’s actually one company the guy I bought it from recommended. And he even said the shop he works for still carries some parts for these lol. I’m really excited.

I think that’s a great little add on, especially for the price.

Just now, casts_by_fly said:

I think that’s a great little add on, especially for the price.

Thanks man!

It was kinda hard to tell in the picture.

I’ve got a an older one, it pushed my

12ft Jon boat just fine

4 minutes ago, GRiver said:

It was kinda hard to tell in the picture.

I’ve got a an older one, it pushed my

12ft Jon boat just fine

Yeah I took the pic at a weird angle lol. Awesome. This should work out great

Nice find, basically identical to my 1969 Johnson 6hp. Reliable, simple, wonderful little motors that have stood the test of time.

I'd recommend at the very least new coils, condenser, and wires for peace of mind at some point when you feel like tearing it down. I went the extra mile and replaced all gaskets, seals, lines, float... basically anything that could degrade over time. This also lets me run ethanol fuel without any issues.

Here are some links that I found very helpful.

Incredibly informative site with a lot of helpful pictures. I really enjoyed reading this guy's articles.

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/OMC_6hp.htm

Good source for part diagrams, part numbers, etc. They have great prices for some stuff, others you can search the part numbers and find better deals.

https://www.boats.net/catalog/johnson/outboard

Baseline carb settings.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/johnson-evinrude-outboards/610721-idle-mixture-intial-setting-johnson-6-hp-6r69m

More detailed carb adjustment instructions, also recommendations on spark plugs (champion J6C .030 gap) and instructions for setting the points.

http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?424419-1970-johnson-6hp-high-speed-problems

Great article explaining in depth how to set points, replace coils, etc.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_magneto.htm

You'll need a good strap wrench and a harmonic balancer / steering wheel puller (autozone) to pull the flywheel. Other than that, since you're a mechanic you'll probably have all the tools you need to completely tear it down.

1 hour ago, Carolina Pines said:

Nice find, basically identical to my 1969 Johnson 6hp. Reliable, simple, wonderful little motors that have stood the test of time.

I'd recommend at the very least new coils, condenser, and wires for peace of mind at some point when you feel like tearing it down. I went the extra mile and replaced all gaskets, seals, lines, float... basically anything that could degrade over time. This also lets me run ethanol fuel without any issues.

Here are some links that I found very helpful.

Incredibly informative site with a lot of helpful pictures. I really enjoyed reading this guy's articles.

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/OMC_6hp.htm

Good source for part diagrams, part numbers, etc. They have great prices for some stuff, others you can search the part numbers and find better deals.

https://www.boats.net/catalog/johnson/outboard

Baseline carb settings.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/johnson-evinrude-outboards/610721-idle-mixture-intial-setting-johnson-6-hp-6r69m

More detailed carb adjustment instructions, also recommendations on spark plugs (champion J6C .030 gap) and instructions for setting the points.

http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?424419-1970-johnson-6hp-high-speed-problems

Great article explaining in depth how to set points, replace coils, etc.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_magneto.htm

You'll need a good strap wrench and a harmonic balancer / steering wheel puller (autozone) to pull the flywheel. Other than that, since you're a mechanic you'll probably have all the tools you need to completely tear it down.

Oh wow thank you for the links! When I winterize it after this season I plan to do some stuff to it exactly like you said. Just for the peace of mind and something to do over winter lol. Yep I have those tools already so I should be good to work on whatever on it. The points article will be great it’s been years since I adjusted or greased points on anything lol

Well the little 6hp 2 smoke ran great. Not fast by any means but cruised me from one end of the lake to the other no issue at 4-5 mph with out a trouble at all. Caught some fish out of the boat. Finally lol. And pulling into back into the ramp when it was time to pack up my trailer guide poles bolts broke and the whole thing fell off. I about died laughing. Threw it in the back of the truck and loaded the boat. Couldn’t get it on worth a car with out the guide poles. Had to pull out with the boat half off the trailer and man handle it on lol. It sucked. So I gotta grab some new bolts and gonna add pool noddle to it to make it a tad tighter and softer than just electrical conduit lol.

Remounted the guided bar with some new hardware and added some pool noodles to it. It was just bare EMT conduit before. So closes the gap up a lil bit and is a lot softer lol.

Snagged a new seat off market place for a lil more than half off if I bought it new at fleet farm. Little bigger and more comfortable too. Also so tired of the 2 back panels sliding off when trailering down the gravel roads to the lake. And when I step on the bow cover it slides around on ya. So I added a piece of furring strip to each on the bottom to keep them from sliding. I know, I know wood is bad. But it’s what I had on hand already and it worked. Someday the boat will have no wood in it but right now I’m having so much fun I don’t care.