Why was the Johnson's little outboard such a tremendous success? In addition to being lighter in weight, the Johnson Waterbug or Light Twin (Both names were used in the advertising) incorporated many features that we take for granted today but were revolutionary in 1922. There can be no doubt that the Johnson’s hit a home run when sales for their little $140 outboard topped 3324 units their first year.Įasy rope starting the Johnson Model A-25 Six pre-production motors are believed to have been produced, full-fledged production began with serial number 507.

The water cooled 2 cylinder outboard would weigh in at only 35lbs, this was about ½ that of the typical cranky rowboat motors of the day. Typical of the determination Americans had at the time, Lou Johnson was able to adapt some of the Motor Wheel’s engine to a new purpose an outboard motor. These Johnson Motor Wheels sold well for several years, but the economies of scale with which Henry Ford and others could produce automobiles rapidly eroded the market - after all, who would buy a motorized bicycle for the same cost as an automobile? After their aircraft and engine factory was destroyed in a storm, the brothers concentrated their efforts on a small two cylinder air-cooled motor that they adapted to be used as a helper engine on a bicycle. The small 2hp outboard that went on sale in 1922 had its roots in failure. The manufacturing of their small two cylinder outboard would not look very grand on their resumes when compared to building the first American monoplane, aircraft engines and record setting inboard speedboat engines, yet outboards would be their most lasting achievement. From relatively humble beginnings in Terre Haute Indiana, the Johnson’s became some of the premiere engineers of their day. The Johnson brothers were cut from the same cloth as many of the great American engineers of the early part of the 20th century.

It is unlikely that the Johnson brothers Lou, Harry, Clarence and their brother-in-law Warren Conover, had any idea of the impact their little outboard would have on the world of boating. Johnson outboard motors made their public debut at the New York Boat Show in January 1922. Johnson Outboards 1922 - The Beginning Years Herewith below is a brief overview of the beginnings of the Johnson brand and some helpful information to get those old Johnsons running again! Johnson was the featured marque at the Yankee Chapter Formal Meet in September 2007. In 2007 the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club celebrated the 85th anniversary of Johnson outboards.

Champion outboard motor serial numbers