Found this Starcraft with Gale Outboard...

I was out the other day and noticed this old Starcraft that looks like it has not been shown any care in a long time. I love classic outboard-powered boats, and I found this one especially interesting because of its Gale outboard. This made me think about asking more about Gale's history. I should probably copy this post into the History section here.

It's my understanding that Gale was OMC's economy brand of engines, and they were essentially a standard Johnson/Evinrude. I would really welcome any further information on Gale though, since I do not know much about them.

This boat is located at the side of a building right next to Duffy's Bar and Grill, in Cape Coral, off Cape Coral Parkway. The boat is right next to a dumpster, so I hope that does not mean that the boat is being junked because it looks like it could be restored. In case anybody is interested in perhaps contacting the owner of this, here is the approximate location: Google Maps link.

click images for larger size

Attachment 370517
Attachment 370518
Attachment 370519
Attachment 370520
Attachment 370521

good for you :)

I'm really curious about the engine, and what kind of condition it's in. I didn't feel right about touching it unless I spoke with the owner first. The boat looks as if it was when it was last used, then it just sat. The key is still in the ignition. If that engine is not completely seized up, it would make a really nice project.

Looks like all the bright work is on the motor....as for the boat...meh. Dig that bow light tho.

The Gale engines were built by OMC in their Galesburg, Illinois plant where Cushman and Lawnboy mowers were also built. Gale outboards were also rebadged Montgomery Ward and Sears motors along with some other brands. The engines were usually the older models than the current Johnson and Evinrude brands. The one in your picture is probably a 35 HP using the older unshielded midsection compared to the then J and E 40 HP with sound shielding all around.

In Tavares, FL at the Sunnyland Antique Boat Show this weekend there was a 60 HP Gale on an old Aero-Glas hull. If you get that boat and restore it, perhaps we can see it at next year's show. Here are some pix of the Gale on display there.


Attachment 370657

Attachment 370658Attachment 370659

That's great, thank you so much for that information. I never knew much about Gale engines, especially that they were also re-badged MW and Sears engines. That OMC sold Gale as re-badged older models makes a lot of sense, but Gale was not around for very long, were they? The 35 on that Starcraft intrigues me. I'm going to definitely head back to ask about it. I'm curious what condition it's in under the cowl.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seahorse

The Gale engines were built by OMC in their Galesburg, Illinois plant where Cushman and Lawnboy mowers were also built. Gale outboards were also rebadged Montgomery Ward and Sears motors along with some other brands. The engines were usually the older models than the current Johnson and Evinrude brands. The one in your picture is probably a 35 HP using the older unshielded midsection compared to the then J and E 40 HP with sound shielding all around.

In Tavares, FL at the Sunnyland Antique Boat Show this weekend there was a 60 HP Gale on an old Aero-Glas hull. If you get that boat and restore it, perhaps we can see it at next year's show. Here are some pix of the Gale on display there.


Attachment 370657

Attachment 370658Attachment 370659

---

Gale products were built from 1941 through 1963. Some other rebadged Gale motors were Hiawatha, Goodyear, Sable, Royal, SeaKing, Brooklure, and Western Flyer.

Here are some common Gale model numbers so you can find out what year motor that motor is. With that type of wiring harness connection on the side of the motor, I'm guessing that it is about a 1960 or so.


Model # HP Year

22D11B 25 1956
22D12B 22 1955
22D13B 25 1956
22D14B 25 1957
22D15B 25 1958
22D16B 25 1959
22D17B 25 1960
22DE10B 22 1955
22DE11B 25 1956
22DE12B 22 1955
22DE13B 25 1956
22DE14B 25 1957
22DE15B 25 1958
22DE16B 25 1959
22DE17B 25 1960
25D18B 25 1961
25D19B 25 1962
25D20B 25 1961
25D21B 25 1963
25DE18B 25 1961
25DE19B 25 1962
25DE20B 25 1961
25DE21B 25 1963
25DEL18B 25 1961
25DEL19B 25 1962
25DEL20B 25 1961
25DEL21B 25 1963
25DL18B 25 1961
25DL19B 25 1962
25DL20B 25 1961
25DL21B 25 1963
35D11B 35 1959
35D12B 35 1959
35D13B 35 1960
35DE10B 35 1958
35DE11B 35 1959
35DE12B 35 1959
35DE13B 35 1960
40D14B 40 1961
40D15B 40 1962
40D17B 40 1963
40DE14B 40 1961
40DE15B 40 1962
40DE17B 40 1963
40DE17P 40 1963
40DEL14B 40 1961
40DEL15B 40 1962
40DEL17B 40 1963
40DG14B 40 1961
40DG15B 40 1962
40DG17B 40 1963
40DGL14B 40 1961
40DGL15B 40 1962
40DGL17B 40 1963
40DL14B 40 1961
40DL15B 40 1962
40DL17B 40 1963

The cowling looks intact and in good restorable condition, the rest of the motor i wouldn't worry too much about unless its a corroded mess...they made a kazillion of those motors minus that cowling and a large supply of parts and whole motors are out there, and thanks to ebay easily attainable. I have a 1969 18hp evinrude fastwin i'm restoring slowly and i swear if you were patient you could build an entire motor from NOS parts off ebay. My powerhead was fine but i found new pistons/rings a carb kit, gaskets etc. all nos stuff for next to nothing. That would be a cool project. Dave

I love the V-4 60hp. Very cool. I remember when I was I kid (63 now) we had a Arkansas Traveler with a V-4 50hp Evinrude. It was black/white.

Greg, It would be cool of you to buy that boat and restore it in your usual fashion and park in next to your Stream.

DB

Attachment 370688

Good find! I love finding old runabouts that have been forgotten. This is my '69 caravelle that had been thrown to the wayside, i just gave it a full resto and for now will be pushed by a '64 evinrude 40hp