1914 Waterman Porto C14 Rowboat Motor RBM

1914 Waterman Porto C14 Rowboat Motor RBM running on a 1972 Giesler Powassan 16 cedar strip boat. Waterman was the first commercially successful gasoline powered outboard motor. This is a later version produced during the brass era.
Music: Yelping Hound Blues - Louisianna Five (1919)
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[@rslover65]

Imagine the amount of profanity that motor has absorbed in the last 106 years.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

I bet knows words we don’t.

[@ethanspaziani5269]

@@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166 HAHAHA

[@NathanChisholm041]

#45$&#$% F$&** That f#%@

[@briananderson9398]

Very cool but back in the day they made sure to bring oars for the inevitable.

[@rslover65]

@@briananderson9398 even today paddles are necessary. I'm convinced "marine grade" just means it fails reliability standards for lawn equipment.

[@Paul-ou1rx]

As I get older, I realize that history was not that long ago.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It is a little surreal. I've know many people older than this motor.

[@privateer0561]

@@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166 Not any more...

[@davidchristensen6908]

At the low speed it sure had a nice sound. Thank you for keeping this motor working and sharing it working with us.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Our pleasure!

[@kkrankie]

Seeing the old boat and motor, reminds me of my grandfather... spent more time fiddling with the old Johnson 3 hp engine to keep it running than actually fishing or enjoying the time out on the water. Although, he was probably enjoying the tinkering with the motor too

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Great memory. I bet he was just glad to be on the water with you.

[@MarkMcCluney]

That's an an absolute beauty! And such a great choice of music, really evokes the era. No more melted ice cream...

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for enjoying the video.

[@glassgoat9601]

A cool motor on a wooden boat, doesn't get any better than that!

[@garysearles9964]

Wearing budgie smugglers

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed!

[@g.stephens263]

Had the pleasure of meeting Ollie Evinrude and his wife (Francis Langford, the actress) oh his motor yacht while we were docked at Mackinac Island, back in the early 70's. He had a railing on the upper deck of his boat with every model of motor Evinrude made mounted on it. Nice couple, very welcoming to my wife and I, as they led on us on a tour of their boat.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

☑️I bought my very 1st boat from a friend in 1995, an old, cheap, "reinforced" 12' aluminum flat bottom fishing boat designed for ponds and small lakes. It was rated for motors of no more than 3hp. However, my friend had reinforced that old boat with pressure treated 2" x 12" boards across the stern plate where the motor was to be mounted, and he used the 2"x12" boards to completely replace its original thin, loose aluminum bench seats. That made the little boat much more rigid and strong, so it could handle 3x the recommended horsepower! My friend had used a 28 year old, 1967 Evinrude 9.5hp short shaft outboard. That motor started within 1-3 pulls every time I took it out, and 3-4 pulls fresh out of winter storage. I could take that boat up shallow creeks barely 2 feet deep! But before I bought it, I went along with my friend as we took it out to places where it probably shouldn't have been! Such as the time 3 of us took it out to the middle of the Rehoboth bay in Delaware(nearly a mile from shore), or when we took it out the Roosevelt inlet, into the lower Delaware Bay, right where the bay meets the ocean.

[@tonypointer7026]

Nice so was it usa production engine. So guy had all the motors made on display on his boat. He be dead now eh

[@g.stephens263]

@@tonypointer7026 I'm sure he's passed on as we met them in the late 70's...early 80's (passed in 1986). And yes, Evinrude outboards were made in the US. Also, my error as it was Ralph Evinrude that we met who was the son of the founder Ole. My Dad (RIP) had a 71/2 hp Evinrude on a 16', lapstrake, Thompson open boat...beautiful wood boat and a most reliable motor.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

What a great experience that would have been.

[@dhcrouchmarineltd3049]

A thing of utter beauty, thank you for sharing.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Our pleasure!

[@rickey5353]

Love the period music to the beat of the motor.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kentuckyblugrass]

The boat and outboard both are absolutely beautiful. I can appreciate the TIME & money it must've taken to refurbish both. An absolute treat! Thank you for the upload. 🙏🏻

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thank you for watching.

[@scdevon]

Great work on this engine. Thumbs-up from the U.S. This would have been an expensive "toy" in 1914.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thank you. Owning a machine like this in 1914 was out of reach for most people.

[@robertpapps3618]

Love the boat and the motor. Always wondered how well those really old ones moved a boat not to mention sounded!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Check out our other videos. We have some other interesting old motors in action.

[@karlk6860]

Thats a beautiful old engine, I can see that you have done a world of work to it in getting to where it is now! I grew up on a lake in MN and found a couple old Brass Era outboards if I remember right they were both Evinrude/Johnson and had been in garages and not seen the light of day for 40 plus years, I was in 8 th grade or thereabouts and I was so enthralled at the beauty of these engines I just had to take a crack at getting them running again, the owner kind of looked at me like I was crazy but said go ahead! I remember pulling the flywheel and points, plug and replacing crappy wires where possible then pulling the carb being so careful with every gasket there was (I got lucky) and didnt destroy any when taking it apart my Dad told me to soak the gaskets in something to soften them up because I had to use them again or I would be remaking them. Well tore the carb completely down and just a very good cleaning and making sure all the jets were open and flowed air. Cleaned the fuel line and the tank put everything back together, I remember checking for spark on the plug and I felt like a million bucks seeing it flash. Then it was make sure everything was back together, turned the fuel on and checked the carb again for leaks etc. and that darned engine started on the 3rd pull of the rope, VICTORY!! I then mounted it on my 12' aluminum flat bottom and drove it for a couple hours on the lake and after about 20 minutes it was running like brand new. I drove it over to the owners dock and took him out for a ride, he had never heard it run before and was amazed at how well it ran! I gave him the engine back and rowed my boat home. The sad part of a truly great story is I am pretty sure that beautiful old engine went back into the garage and I am sure it never ran again. The second engine I did that summer was almost exactly the same story and it ran just as well as the first one! I love working on these old engines and learn so much every time I have to chance to do so! With that being said you have done a beautiful job on your Waterman and you should be extremely PROUD to have brought it back into the living world again! THANKS for taking the time to do so!

[@klausuhlig7141]

I was raised on Lake StClair, brought back memories me and my Comander outboard on my Hydro plane, and my Dad varnishing his Petebuilt every year,

[@karlk6860]

@@klausuhlig7141 Klaus I had an 8 ft hydro also I had a 25 Evinrude with a speed prop on it, I would guess the boat went around 40 MPH it had dead man's throttle where you had to have your hand on it all the time or it would go back to idle. Just enough room for a fuel tank and me in the boat. Those were such simpler days!

[@klausuhlig7141]

@@karlk6860 dead mans throttle, haven heard that in over 60 years, that what I had on my boat too, cant believe what us kids used to do, now days our parents would go to jail for letting us get away with what we did, I still live on the water down in Mexico, riding Harleys, and 15 years ago bought a couple of VW sand rails, still living like a kid,

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for sharing your story. There are few things as fulfilling as bringing something back to life.

[@dandeforest9439]

we have several of these motors at the club that i work at, Waterman was a member back around the earily 1900's

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Which club is that?

[@dandeforest9439]

@@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166 Huron Mountain Club ,Michigan's UP

[@saabysaabinsky2785]

Beautiful work! Engine looks and runs great! A piece of history saved!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@paulmore4118]

We have one of the original Watreman motors here on Grosse Ile Michigan. It’s on display at our Historical Society building including the history about the man who lived here and was the actual inventor of that engine. No I can’t remember his actual name at this time but it’s all there, come visit. Lots of history here.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

His name was Cameron Waterman and he invented the first successful gasoline powered outboard motor. He launched his motor from Grosse Ile in 1905. We have a 1909 Waterman video on our channel. You should check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmO5pmCnj99qm8k

[@ericolmeda9150]

Very very cool, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Mike-cn1ei]

Very cool. Moves along quite well.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It is surprisingly fast for a motor of it's time.

[@dan71559]

So cool. Beautiful job! Love how it chugs along.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you like it!

[@spockspock]

That’s a boat quite shiny. Good work there!

[@bigears4426]

I've just read some old stories of people boating before outboards 10 hours of rowing , this must of been a life changer

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

10 hours of rowing does not sound like fun.

[@datadog7179]

Your motor is a work is a work art, the boat is a real gem also. Great video, thx!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks. We appreciate the nice words.

[@seanmcardle]

A lovely day on the water, spent mostly looking at the damn motor.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Ya, but when the motor is this pretty we don't mind.

[@FredMiller]

Very cool indeed. I was looking early on for the tiller handle then saw the control lines. Slick. Thanks for sharing...

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for watching!

[@PabloDiablo682]

I live in RI. and I have a Cup made of silver that went to the winner of a Wakefield Yacht Club 1912 Motor Boat Handicap. I bought at an estate sale years ago. I now appreciate what the winner went through to win that cup way back in 1912. I just gave it to my sister and Brother-in-law as a gift for congratulating them on their purchase of a 2021 Azimut 60' Flybridge. Boating has come a long way.

[@FlatBroke612]

This dudes outfit the boat has to be christened “FREE CANDY”

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

lol

[@andyrbush]

A delight to see the old machine revived and working.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fergywurst]

Beautiful Boat and Beautiful restored motor. If I had wanted to hear music instead of the sound of the motor, I would have turned a radio on.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Sorry you didn’t enjoy the video.

[@Alohasnackbar86]

Thank you for a very relaxing video

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

My gosh, this is so cool. Beautiful.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for commenting

[@bobczz3919]

I just love all the nice metal they used looks like copper and bronze. What a beautiful machine.

[@harrycave6309]

A true testament to how things used to be made over 100 years old and after some work still running very well done saving this beautiful piece of engineering

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It was truly a labour of love.

[@user-ih5dn3lw3e]

В 1914 году это было, наверное, чудо компактности и удобства

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It was a marvel of beauty and engineering.

[@rexhake1]

Stunning . Thank you very much

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Slman51]

That is super cool!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed!

[@1960fusion]

That is a thing of beauty...thanks for sharing!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for watching.

[@fatdaddy6512]

That's a beautiful thing and a joy to behold

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@123edwardzpad]

A lovely rebuild. Canadians are some of the nicest people on the planet. Thank you.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thank you for the kind words. You made us blush.

[@kenjuschka6622]

Great workmanship on the motor and a beautiful day on Bellwood lake as well 😃

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks. Belwood is a great spot.

[@JAR2.0]

Excellent craftsmanship and beautiful restoration! Well done ✔

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

He did a beautiful job.

[@garypeters1431]

AWESOME job on the rebild!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks, I will pass along your comments to the owner.

[@ykb946]

Very nice!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks commenting

[@gammaraider]

What a beautiful little engine. Well restored sir!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@melanthony2064]

Very nice old motor bud, thank you for sharing this 👍

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for watching!

[@jtsbearfootoutdooradventur1285]

What a beautiful set up!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@paulhaines5755]

Wow that is amazing! Nice motor/boat. I love the close attention paid to safety back in the day. Exposed flywheel? No worries! Just don't put your hand in it!!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It was a dangerous time!

[@peteryeung111]

Losing a limb is a badge of honour. People are over-protected nowadays. 😉

[@paulhaines5755]

So true! Too funny....

[@howardkanitz4998]

That was fantastic! Thank you for saving it from the scrap pile! Very cool piece of history.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Santos.Sarmento]

Precious. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Brazil.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Amazing that you found our video. Greets to you from Canada!

[@wrk2115]

Very cool; one wouldn't want to venture any farther than you cared to row. Sweet old boat, too!

[@thedude8046]

What a beautiful machine!!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

We agree!

[@GoingtoHecq]

beautiful engine. Shiny metals of all colors. The control scheme is unconventional but it makes a certain intuitive sense. Pull right, go right. Like a horse or something.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

The rope steering is fun.

[@gregghatfield9946]

Simply beautiful 🤩👍🏼

[@davidbaldwin1591]

There's some oldies around my area, but that is a good 10 years older than any I have seen.

[@LipatovDS]

I am impressed!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed. He did a masterful job of the restoration.

[@dbmail545]

Holy cow! That thing has a priming cup like a hit-or-miss engine.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Same era.

[@motorTranz]

Beautiful 😍 Thank you!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@geraldrichardson7252]

Very cool! Nice boat as well!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@edcardinal5434]

I remember seeing a Porto motor on a boat not nearly as nice as the one I'm looking at here. This was at Cherry Lake in Madison County, Florida in either 1938 or '39. The thing was old then. I'm old now. Glad to see another.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

I'm envious that you got to see one in regular use. The things you must have seen in your lifetime!

[@jameshalljedidrivertrainer7207]

Very old and slow and the coolest damn ride on the lake!!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Always gets you there in style, eventually.

[@georgekeats1478]

Awesome subject. And very good editing on this post.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Much appreciated!

[@AveragePootis]

A small groove for a starter rope would have been a game changer

[@Knapweed]

What a beautiful object. I imagine a fair bit of it was hand-built too. It's a lovely piece of history.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Every part was hand machined in 1914 and again recently when it was restored.

[@Knapweed]

@@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166 It's amazing working on something that has been put together by hand. I'm currently working on 120-year-old, brass clock, which only cost me $30 CA. It was put together in Britain by a workforce of 250 ladies and all the history of the company is online. It's an odd feeling that the last person that touched the internals was a female, 120 years ago. I'm also working on a 1950's Viking Outboard that needs some TLC. I love your outboard, it's a tribute to your craftsmanship in restoring such a beauty to pristine condition.

[@traktorworks3200]

great and very interesting video.........your very lucky having that littel motor and boat to goof around with.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

We couldn’t agree more.

[@bottmar1]

These old motors made great ornaments even for a livingroom in a house. Polish them up and they are beautiful mechanical devices to look at.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Everything had style back then.

[@robertmarcotte4652]

Lucky to see it running well done. And not locked up in a museum but museum quality motor

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks. We try to enjoy our motors. Glad you appreciate it.

[@dmitriyarmaev5462]

Excellent boat and motor!!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@team-legend-rich-N-leo]

One word awesome buddy absolutely awesome

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. So glad you enjoyed it.

[@pwrplnt1975]

Amazing! I love old motors as a mech. eng. in today's power industry I don't get to see many so this is great!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks for watching. This is such an uncommon motor that few people living have seen one run.

[@williambunting803]

That is now two of my favorite machines named Waterman. The Waterman Porto rowboat motor, and the Waterman Aerobile “flying car”.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Waterman Aerobile is pretty cool, too.

[@bjodaddyo]

That little engine actually sounds pretty good

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It's a beautiful runner. A testament to the work of the restorer.

[@davidsnyder2000]

I’m really late to commenting, but this boat and motor are incredible! I’m in love lol😄👌 I would take an old boat & motor over a new one any day👍

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

That's awesome. I have 2 complete one's but never have heard em running

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

You should get to work on them. You won't be disappointed.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

I did last month. Both are running good now

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

@@coinslotsandjoysticks2572 that’s great! Let us know if you ever make a video. We’d love to see it.

[@jamesgeorge6551]

You know it's a great engine when there is a brass ball valve threaded into the cylinder where you slosh some gas in for "cold start enrichment" Greeting from Michigan. Nice polish on all the bits, too.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Hello neighbour! We sure missed Michigan this year. So many great outboard meets and friends over there. Thanks for commenting.

[@ThoughtfulAl]

Man they had good video quality back in 1914

[@rrmerlin3402]

I'm all smiles with this

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

These are the good old days...says the guy with the antique motor.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It's like operating a time machine.

[@StormyTunes]

Very cool!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks

[@sanches2]

the motor is like a jewelry item. And all the brass things on wood, this is still class. My grandpa was born in 1916...if you think it wasn't that long ago but at the same time this puts my age to scale and i know i am not young anymore but damn i don't feel old (i am 40 now) :) Thanks for sharing!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

We feel the same. It doesn’t seem that long ago yet it’s over 100 years. Time flies!

[@LouDog-bx1ep]

Ok now I seriously want one of these on my 77 Lido 14 sailboat, it’s the perfect little engine and it’s looks amazing, although there’s probably not too many around.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Yes, they are a little tough to find. Those that have them don’t like to give them up.

[@LouDog-bx1ep]

@@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166 Yeah I'd imagine especially if you take a liking towards mechanics and motors, maybe I'll shoot for something more tangible like a 1960s Johnson outboard for my little boat.

[@david78212]

When I was a kid growing up, we had a boat very similar to that one. The deck was a bit longer on the front and it was a bigger boat. It was made by Old Town Canoe, when they used to make boats. They were able to tell us the day it was started and finished (1917) and who worked on it from the serial number plate. It was adapted, at some point, with fiberglass pontoons(?) on the side that made it look like an inflatable, but the inside was absolutely beautiful. It was pretty much unsinkable with the add-ons and we fished out of it pretty much every weekend. How much have outboard engines changed in 100+ years, now they are V-8s and fuel injected.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Sounds like a cool boat. Old Towne made some good ones.

[@MrWayneJohn1]

14 seconds into this video and I'm wondering, "Why is this man dressed like a flasher?"

[@MrDeath-en6ov]

My god your right he is dressed like a flasher

[@Castawayanglerdude9719]

i instantly was thinkin the same thing!

[@dandeforest9439]

he's probably wearing a speedo,didn't want anyone to see

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Ha! It does look a little funny.

[@daled8221]

I thought I clicked the wrong video & was worried it would be in my history.

[@brushbros]

I appreciate the spark plug guard!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

The guise of safety

[@evanmarrs353]

It balances well with the open perforated flywheel on top.

[@robertraft]

that is awesome!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks

[@kombikaramujaninja5426]

Que maravilha e muito bem preservado! Parabéns pelo zelo.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Obrigado por assistir. Agradecemos seu comentário.

[@martinlutherite]

Congratulations you own the boat version of Chitty,Chittenden Bang Bang! Love it.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Lol. So true.

[@philippicard3652]

A real work of art.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed!

[@lungchan1729]

I love the sound of the motor.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed. It's a wonderful sound.

[@ecannon649]

That thing runs like a champ. I love it.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It sure does!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Amazing fine job😃👍👀

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@upnorthyooper1196]

Can you imagine back in 1914 how jealous your friends were because you had one of those high-tech motors on your boat. How long it took to start it didn't mater because nothing was done in a hurry back then.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It would have been quite a novelty. I bet people lined the docks just to see it run.

[@eunhyuekpark6159]

Love seeing these restored engines running out on the water. Def makes me appreciate living in the present with our current technology though.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Agreed.

[@keithmckinnon7047]

Even older than the Tom and Jerry outboards.😉

[@pinetreeboatingclub]

really nice filming job

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks. We love your videos, too.

[@craigsnook3605]

Such a pretty little engine. Thank you for restoring her.

[@AcmeRacing]

It looks almost steampunk.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It sure is

[@8180634]

I bet that seemed like light speed in 1914 when there were few options beyond rowing!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

It was pretty quick for a rowboat motor

[@VidarrKerr]

Clipper ships.

[@cattaraugustonawanda4426]

Very nice indeed !

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Many thanks!

[@solarguy6043]

"HI....I'm cantankerous. And I shake a lot too." Spectacular restoration. When it first started I was convinced it was a hit-n-miss engine, but that turns out to be mostly not true.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

You are correct in that the successful operation of the motor is “hit and miss” depending on the operator. Otherwise, it is a two stroke.

[@golemtheory2218]

i particularly like the 'pool table pocket' gunwale fenders

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!

[@patmcbride9853]

Nice! Combination boat and massage chair.

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Lol. Great comment!

[@RatsburyRaven74]

Nice work....Dandy!!

[@uppercanadachapter-aomcian4166]

Thanks!