How to set up a boat with a briggs and stratton with an inboard shaft drive?

Question

It is called a mud boat. They were made long ago, mostly out of wood and used in the marshes of Louisiana. The engine had a shaft that went through a stuffing box, and on the end of the shaft, under the boat, was a propeller.

Answer 1

Only if you don't need reverse as there is not trans>So start you go>There only 3600 RPM so the speed is ???

Answer 2

You have described what it is, but I am not clear what your question is.  Obviously the B&S motor will be air cooled, not water cooled.  Is your probelm with the engine or shaft?

Answer 3

I not sure, but, as mentioned you about there. They may have coupled it to a gear reduction box or may have just used a centrifugal clutch with a belt or chain to the propeller shaft.

I did some browsing and hoped to find a picture of the engine mounted. Here what I got and maybe you can go from this. Good Luck.

A variety of popular motorized applications of the flatboat form have occurred in this century. One of the first was the Atchafalaya basin bateau. It was powered by a 2*, 4, 6, or 8 horsepower, two-cycle, inboard "putt-putt" engine.

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