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Author Topic:   1968 Nauset Hull #39026 with Bearcat 55

markerotto posted 09-15-2003 09:04 PM ET (US)
This boat has been in the family since new. My dad bought it in 1968 or 1969 for research on the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The family would spend 3 months of the summer island hopping in all weather. Lots of sentimental value since the boat can be credited for us surviving many of the big waves. Anyway the last 15 years the boat hasn't gotten much use. Last use was five or six years ago and the engine leaked oil very badly, I think most of the gaskets and rubber parts need replacing. Now it sits in my backyard.

I just started looking around for a new motor to put on it and happened to stop by the BW dealer. So I find out that I've got a bit of a classic boat and motor combination. My dilema is whether to continue with my original plan or keep Bearcat 55 and spend the money to have it re-furbished. Reading on this website about people with 70-90 hp motors on these boats makes me want to go that route.
Assuming I do this does how is the market for Fisher Price Bearcat 55 parts? Would the old motor help fund the new one? or would it be sinful to not keep the motor and boat together?
Hobie1981 posted 09-15-2003 10:26 PM ET (US)
Mark:
I have a 1969 Nauset that was originally powered with a 55 Bearcat. Did not really like the salt h2o environment it lived in and was replaced, by a 55 Evenrude.
Economy 4 Cycle Marine of Redding CA (530) 241-7990, rebuilds Homelite/Bearcat engines. It's my understanding that for around $2000.00 you can get a rebuilt motor built to the latest specs.
I don't believe that it has a T & T feature, however.
Other good choises for repowering are Merc 90 2S, and Suzuki 70 4S.
I presently have a 70 2S Yamaha powering my boat. WOT is 41 MPH.
Hope this helps you..
Hobie
Ed Z posted 09-17-2003 01:59 PM ET (US)
My 69 Nauset came with the 55 Bearcat on it too.... We used it for a long time, but it was kinda weak for skiing... It worked OK but really took to long to get the skier out of the water... Anyways, it was replaced when the oppertunity to get an 85 hp Bearcat... BOY what a difference...
If you want to keep the 55, I have much info and part X refference #'s for it... Of instance, Globe Rubber Co make a replacement water pump impeller (part #223) that you can get through West Marine... Scott Stewart (in Pa.)has many parts too, but most of them can be obtained off the shelf... Give me your email address and I'll forward what I have thus far on the 55hp...
jimh posted 09-18-2003 08:15 AM ET (US)
The market for used BEARCAT 55 outboard is probably split along two lines.
Historical collectors might be interested in the motor, particularly if it was in original condition, had original accessories, paperwork, etc. It would probably need to have original paint in good condition, too.
Absent an interest in the motor as a collectable, you have a used 35-year outboard built by a company now out of that business and is a model long out of production. I don't think you will find the market particularly willing to pay a premium for the motor.
As mention above and in my REFERENCE section article written a few years ago, in northern California there is a gentleman who does some business in refurbishing and selling old BEARCAT 55 engines.
(See: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/history/bearcat.html )
He takes trades and gives a core deposit/refund on your current motor.
The fact that you've been using the engine in cold fresh water (Lake Superior) has no doubt helped to keep it going all these years. From my reading, they seemed to have problems with corrosion in the cooling system.
There is some virtue in restoring and repairing older mechanical things to working condition. The BEARCAT was ahead of its time in many respects. It might be deserving of more restoration.
As I see it, your decision depends on how you plan to use the boat. If you just want to take a cruise on Sunday over to the island and buy an ice cream cone, then keep and restore the Bearcat. If you plan to use the boat for daily fishing far offshore, you should consider a newer motor that would be more relilable.

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Author	Topic: 1968 Nauset Hull #39026 with Bearcat 55
markerotto	posted 09-15-2003 09:04 PM ET (US) This boat has been in the family since new. My dad bought it in 1968 or 1969 for research on the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The family would spend 3 months of the summer island hopping in all weather. Lots of sentimental value since the boat can be credited for us surviving many of the big waves. Anyway the last 15 years the boat hasn't gotten much use. Last use was five or six years ago and the engine leaked oil very badly, I think most of the gaskets and rubber parts need replacing. Now it sits in my backyard. I just started looking around for a new motor to put on it and happened to stop by the BW dealer. So I find out that I've got a bit of a classic boat and motor combination. My dilema is whether to continue with my original plan or keep Bearcat 55 and spend the money to have it re-furbished. Reading on this website about people with 70-90 hp motors on these boats makes me want to go that route. Assuming I do this does how is the market for Fisher Price Bearcat 55 parts? Would the old motor help fund the new one? or would it be sinful to not keep the motor and boat together?
Hobie1981	posted 09-15-2003 10:26 PM ET (US) Mark: I have a 1969 Nauset that was originally powered with a 55 Bearcat. Did not really like the salt h2o environment it lived in and was replaced, by a 55 Evenrude. Economy 4 Cycle Marine of Redding CA (530) 241-7990, rebuilds Homelite/Bearcat engines. It's my understanding that for around $2000.00 you can get a rebuilt motor built to the latest specs. I don't believe that it has a T & T feature, however. Other good choises for repowering are Merc 90 2S, and Suzuki 70 4S. I presently have a 70 2S Yamaha powering my boat. WOT is 41 MPH. Hope this helps you.. Hobie
Ed Z	posted 09-17-2003 01:59 PM ET (US) My 69 Nauset came with the 55 Bearcat on it too.... We used it for a long time, but it was kinda weak for skiing... It worked OK but really took to long to get the skier out of the water... Anyways, it was replaced when the oppertunity to get an 85 hp Bearcat... BOY what a difference... If you want to keep the 55, I have much info and part X refference #'s for it... Of instance, Globe Rubber Co make a replacement water pump impeller (part #223) that you can get through West Marine... Scott Stewart (in Pa.)has many parts too, but most of them can be obtained off the shelf... Give me your email address and I'll forward what I have thus far on the 55hp...
jimh	posted 09-18-2003 08:15 AM ET (US) The market for used BEARCAT 55 outboard is probably split along two lines. Historical collectors might be interested in the motor, particularly if it was in original condition, had original accessories, paperwork, etc. It would probably need to have original paint in good condition, too. Absent an interest in the motor as a collectable, you have a used 35-year outboard built by a company now out of that business and is a model long out of production. I don't think you will find the market particularly willing to pay a premium for the motor. As mention above and in my REFERENCE section article written a few years ago, in northern California there is a gentleman who does some business in refurbishing and selling old BEARCAT 55 engines. (See: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/history/bearcat.html ) He takes trades and gives a core deposit/refund on your current motor. The fact that you've been using the engine in cold fresh water (Lake Superior) has no doubt helped to keep it going all these years. From my reading, they seemed to have problems with corrosion in the cooling system. There is some virtue in restoring and repairing older mechanical things to working condition. The BEARCAT was ahead of its time in many respects. It might be deserving of more restoration. As I see it, your decision depends on how you plan to use the boat. If you just want to take a cruise on Sunday over to the island and buy an ice cream cone, then keep and restore the Bearcat. If you plan to use the boat for daily fishing far offshore, you should consider a newer motor that would be more relilable.