the winter. Other chapters choose to direct
their attention toward restoring and polishing
their outboards for display. “They think we’re
crazy for running them,” David says. “But
that’s where the fun is.”
After dinner, I catch up with Palmer Sargent,
vice president of the Pine Tree Boating Club.
He’s arrived at this meet without an outboard—
his wife won’t let him put one in the new car.
He shows me the binder he has put together
for the 1961 West Bend 10-hp Commodore
he’s restoring. Inside is the owner’s manual,
which is marked up with notes and high-
lighter to keep track of the parts he needs and
where they might be found. It is often neces-
sary to contact a number of sources to hunt
down all the components.
Palmer has been a member of Lincoln’s
group since its humble beginnings in the early
’80s, when there were only two or three peo-
ple. At that time, Palmer had about 100 out-
boards of his own. He has since downsized to
a more manageable 15.Every outboard, every part, tells the history of manufacturing over the last 100-plus years.
15Unlike those who have downsized, Bud
Bowley continues to own an impressive fleet
of engines. He has over 150 outboards, which
he displays in his home. He estimates that 75
to 100 are in running condition.
Bud’s goal tonight is to get his 1950s Sea
King running in the test tank. He wheels it to
the tank, and a few minutes later the shop is
consumed by a sputtering growl. Murky water
churns as the outboard fires successfully. Bud
keeps revving it until he’s convinced it’s run-
ning solidly. This is a tangible success, but res-
torations more typically involve many small,
incremental steps with a finish line that could
be years away.
The members of this group are unique in
their passion for restoring antiques, and inter-
est in old outboards will likely become more
rare as the years slip past, says Lincoln.
The outboard industry is in the midst of a
technology revolution, with engines grow-
ing larger and more sophisticated each
year. Electronic diagnostics are standard
and parts are replaced more than they are
repaired. But understanding the workings
of antique engines and learning to use hand
tools has helped Lincoln better understand
new models. There is value in keeping an
eye on the past. UThis story is excerpted from our new title,
OUTBOARD magazine. Get the next issue for free
(yes, really) at outboardmag.com.