Bill Guenther of Monroe, Mich., left, and Chris Scratch of Ontario Canada show off some Elto motors. Members of the Michiana Outboard Motor club travel from all over the Midwest and even Canada to show off restoration projects, swap parts and literature, and discuss their passion.

Text and Photos
By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Temperatures were in the high 70s on Saturday, May 18, but down by the shore of Webster Lake, a cool breeze created a perfect environment for the Antique Outboard Motor Show and Swap Meet.

At this yearly event, members of the Michiana Outboard Motor chapter meet to have their motors evaluated, display restoration projects, trade parts and literature, run their boats on the lake, and generally talk shop about their passion. An average of 100 attendees come out every year, according to local meet chairman Dave Tranter.

Tranter stated there are many things that make outboard motors so interesting to their enthusiasts.

“One is history, because a lot of people grew up with these old motors. … You get a lot of, ‘Gee, my grandpa had one of these on his rowboat and we’d go fishing all the time,’” he explained.

Any motor made before 1950 is considered antique, while any motor older than 30 years is a classic.

Most of the motors at the show still run, as they’ve been taken care of over the years, but it’s hard to find parts for them. One of this event’s functions is to give people an opportunity to find the rare parts they need to keep their motors running.

One of the most common motors seen on display at the show was the Johnson Motor, which was manufactured in South Bend until 1927.

“A South Bend Johnson is a very collectible motor,” said Tranter.

Outboard motor enthusiasts come not just from Indiana, but Michigan and even Canada for this event. Chris Scratch of Ontario, Canada is a self-proclaimed fan of motors from the 1910s and 1920s era, especially Elto. Bill Geunther of Monroe, Mich. didn’t cite a favorite motor but stated, “I think it’s because they’re a challenge for me, that why I like them.”

The challenge of restoring and maintaining this old machinery seems to be a big part of the hobby. Chapter member Steve Roskowski goes the extra mile to cast his own parts for his outboard motors.

Jay Walls started the Michiana chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club at the age of 18 and served as president for 18 years, then moved on to become the president of the entire association for another 14. He left the position in January, but continues a lifelong love of outboard motors, which started while he helped his father clean the carburetor of a Sear WaterWitch.

“He gave me a little pan of gasoline and bunch of parts to clean with a toothbrush. So, I got interested in learning how to use a screwdriver and a wrench and clean parts, just because I wanted to go play on the lake,” Walls recalled. “I tell people it’s a great father-son hobby, or even father-daughter hobby, because a father can teach his kid what it takes to get a motor running right and out on the water to play.”

Most of the attendees were older, but 17-year-old motor enthusiast Finn Freeman was also in attendance, meaning the love of the machines is living on.