Inventing the Outboard

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Summer of 1905-ish, Ole and Mrs. Evinrude were picnicking on Lake Okauchee in Wisconsin.

Ole was sent for ice cream, and he rowed to shore, and bought the ice cream.  By the time he got back to the family, the dessert had melted.  Ole, the machinist and combustion-engine tinkerer, was a bit irritated.  In 1907, he came up with a 1.5 horse transom-mounted gasoline powered outboard motor.

OleIn 1911, he patented his invention, and in 1913 sold his interest to his partner in the Evinrude Motor Corporation.  After five years off, he introduced a 3 hp aluminum model that weighed 48 pounds.  He then joined forces in 1929 with his old company and Johnson Motor Company, and created the small boat revolution.

You can still buy a two-cylinder Evinrude – or one with up to 300 horsepower.

August 20, 2018 Category: General Content, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , .

About Mike Dwight

Forespar is a company in which a team of dedicated boaters has continually advanced the quality of the sailing and powerboating experience since 1967. Founded by life-long boater Robert Foresman, the company has pursued his philosophy of innovation and quality to produce unique products which fill real needs. Today, the crew at Forespar oversees a multifaceted design, manufacturing and worldwide distribution system from its modern headquarters in Southern California using CAD/CAM design , full machine shop, 80’ spray paint booth, plastic injection molding and carbon composite processing. Forespar, along with its other widely recognized branded products including Leisure Furl, and Marelon, can be counted on by boaters to provide value and many years of enjoyment and performance. We are always leaders and innovaters; never followers and we strive to serve every boater. We invite you to visit our website www.forespar.com, and join our Facebook Fan Page.