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Author Topic:   Bearcat on a 15?

JBCornwell posted 05-06-2006 06:59 PM ET (US)
A recent thread has resparked my interest in Bearcats.
They probably put out about 50hp at the propshaft, and they were very light for a 4 stroke. I used Crosley engines in my F Modified sports racer in the 50s and really grew to like them. The Bearcat was developed from the Crosley design.
Aside: I remember lifting the engine out of my racer by hand and carrying it to the bench. In those days I weighed about 135lb. :)
It seems to me that a Bearcat would be an excellent (and classic) powerplant for my Striper 15.
What are your thoughts?
Red sky at night. . .
JB
seahorse posted 05-06-2006 07:03 PM ET (US)
I used to work on the Bearcats back then and earlier when they were owned by Homelite. Unfortunately performance was not the best, as a 40 hp Johnson or Evinrude would be equal in acceleration and top speed. Of course the advantages of the 4-stroke were the quietness, smoothness, and smoke-free operation.
Teak Oil posted 05-06-2006 07:12 PM ET (US)
I am sure it would perform adequately, though unspectacularly of course.
No trim and tilt would be one PIA, and a CMC tilt would kind of take away from the retro look IMO. Also prop selection would be limited, so you would be looking at about 30mph max I think.
Quiet and fuel efficiect of course, but so would a Merc 40 EFI fourstroke or an E-Tec, and it would be more dependable with trim and tilt
JBCornwell posted 05-07-2006 02:30 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Teak Oil. Good points. I also now realise that there is no tilt tube making hooking up steering a pain.
Oh well, it was a nice thought while it lasted. :)
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Tom W Clark posted 05-07-2006 02:49 PM ET (US)
I think the Bearcat would be great power for the 15. Light weight, four stoke, plenty of power, why not? Remember there were Outrage 21s powered by a single Bearcat 55.
The lack of power trim is no big deal on a modestly powered boat like this and the lack of tilt tube steering is easily accommodated by Teleflex's steering cable clamp.
It would an elegant, unique and inexpensive set up. I encourage you to pursue the idea.
Teak Oil posted 05-07-2006 08:49 PM ET (US)
Its no big deal unless you boat in shallow water...
The Judge posted 05-08-2006 03:29 PM ET (US)
Yeah on Lake Tahoe, tilt is a waste being it is hundreds of feet deep. Where I live it would be a trip to the Chiro once a week.

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Author	Topic: Bearcat on a 15?
JBCornwell	posted 05-06-2006 06:59 PM ET (US) A recent thread has resparked my interest in Bearcats. They probably put out about 50hp at the propshaft, and they were very light for a 4 stroke. I used Crosley engines in my F Modified sports racer in the 50s and really grew to like them. The Bearcat was developed from the Crosley design. Aside: I remember lifting the engine out of my racer by hand and carrying it to the bench. In those days I weighed about 135lb. :) It seems to me that a Bearcat would be an excellent (and classic) powerplant for my Striper 15. What are your thoughts? Red sky at night. . . JB
seahorse	posted 05-06-2006 07:03 PM ET (US) I used to work on the Bearcats back then and earlier when they were owned by Homelite. Unfortunately performance was not the best, as a 40 hp Johnson or Evinrude would be equal in acceleration and top speed. Of course the advantages of the 4-stroke were the quietness, smoothness, and smoke-free operation.
Teak Oil	posted 05-06-2006 07:12 PM ET (US) I am sure it would perform adequately, though unspectacularly of course. No trim and tilt would be one PIA, and a CMC tilt would kind of take away from the retro look IMO. Also prop selection would be limited, so you would be looking at about 30mph max I think. Quiet and fuel efficiect of course, but so would a Merc 40 EFI fourstroke or an E-Tec, and it would be more dependable with trim and tilt
JBCornwell	posted 05-07-2006 02:30 PM ET (US) Thanks, Teak Oil. Good points. I also now realise that there is no tilt tube making hooking up steering a pain. Oh well, it was a nice thought while it lasted. :) Red sky at night. . . JB
Tom W Clark	posted 05-07-2006 02:49 PM ET (US) I think the Bearcat would be great power for the 15. Light weight, four stoke, plenty of power, why not? Remember there were Outrage 21s powered by a single Bearcat 55. The lack of power trim is no big deal on a modestly powered boat like this and the lack of tilt tube steering is easily accommodated by Teleflex's steering cable clamp. It would an elegant, unique and inexpensive set up. I encourage you to pursue the idea.
Teak Oil	posted 05-07-2006 08:49 PM ET (US) Its no big deal unless you boat in shallow water...
The Judge	posted 05-08-2006 03:29 PM ET (US) Yeah on Lake Tahoe, tilt is a waste being it is hundreds of feet deep. Where I live it would be a trip to the Chiro once a week.