About The Project
These outboard motor stands came out of my participation in Antique and Classic Boat Association (ACBS) annual shows, where I had a booth showing my furniture. Through this I learned that there is a large group of people who collect and restore antique outboard motors. Many of the collectors are hobbyist mechanics who enjoy restoring and using the motors. Others treat their motors as an art collection, which is a valid argument given how gorgeous some of the designs are. Others collect them because of fond personal memories. At ACBS shows the motors are typically displayed on industrial look commercial or construction lumber based homemade stands. These may be okay for an outdoor show, but definitely aren’t good enough for displaying a prized motor in your home or lake cabin.
I was first commissioned by an ACBS attendee to make a stand to display their classic 1954 Johnson outboard at their northern Minnesota lake home. The customer’s grandfather owned a marina and tackle store, and her motor was one of many found in the basement of the marina. Later I was commissioned to make a stand for a customer in Virginia who displays his grandfather’s motor in his vacation home. Ironically he has a very similar piece of vintage family Sea Horse history as the Minnesota customer.
The stands are made from white oak, which is the wood most commonly used to make boat ribs. Additionally, the curves of the legs mimic boat rib curves.
