What year is this Waterwitch?

[Steve D]

Just got this off Craigslist yesterday and trying to narrow down the year. The rope sheave says Model MB with a S/N of 571-20. Just under the powerhead stamped on the port side is the number MB553B. Unless I’m missing something I didn’t see much in the Old Outboard Book except on the Spark Plug Chart and a couple mentions under "Sears". Any other info, tips, links, manuals, etc. are welcome. I did a Google search and got some info. The Waterwitch website I went to is under construction and didn’t have much at the time. Thanks!

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[kevinf]

the MB571-20 model was 1937 built by Kissel. There’s an AOMCI Waterwitch special interest group that can help with the details.

Kevin

[david-bartlett]

Yep, 1937. I am looking at one tomorrow. Not sure about model or year. Owner says it has "two torpedo tanks". Time will tel.

[Steve D]

Thanks a lot Kevin! I don’t know anything about these but always loved how they look. I couldn’t pass this one up. Hope you get that one Dave.

[Tubs]

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by Tubs.
• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Tubs.

[Steve D]

Thanks Tubs, I really appreciate all that info! From what I’ve seen on You tube I agree with you about the sound and how touchy some of them can be to get dialed in correctly. But I was surprized to see that this was pretty much complete, and not too badly abused with just the few standard dents you normally see with these. Everything is kind of stiff but nothing is too badly rusted out and the inside of the tank looks spotless with no leftover stale gas/oil mix. I have a few other projects ahead of this, so it’ll probably be a while before I can get to it. But hopefully by late Summer/Fall I can hear it run.

[Tubs]

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by Tubs.
• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Tubs.

[Steve D]

Even if I never got this running I’d still be happy I got it. I didn’t really buy it hoping I could use it on a regular basis. I’m just glad I got such a cool looking motor. I’ll polish it up and clean it up and if it ends up being for display purposes only, so be it, I don’t care!

[Mumbles]

Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon both used these motors on their weekend fishing adventures.

[david-bartlett]

I looked at one today. 1938 single. Tanks are pretty good, everything is free, just need to find a middle ground on the price.

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