Chapman outboard

[Eric Schulz]

Does anyone know if Chapman & Sherack or Blaxland Rae ever built an outboard motor? It has been suggested that they did. Does this just belong in the myths and legends department?

Eric

[senojn]

According to an article I have, entitled "The Putt Putt King" ( I'll send you a copy Eric .Very interesting.) when John Forrest worked for Chapman/Sherack from 1928 on,he was wanting to take home outboards that had been traded-in and work on them to improve their performance. Chapman woul'nt let him and instesd was told to hold the outboards on an anvil and a bloke called Sigsworth smashed them up with a 7 lb sledgehammer . Chapman believed in wrecking them rather than than selling them and have them traded in again and again.
I therefore doubt that Chapman/Sherack ever manufactured outboards .
Roger Sherack (grandson) has posted on the OME site .You might ask him ?
The things that happen to vintage outboards 
Neil

[Eric Schulz]

I have a copy of that article, and had not looked at it for a long time. It does suggest that Chapman was not an outboard enthusiast!
Your suggestion about the grandson is worth following up. Thanks.

Eric

[senojn]

Yes , it was not a good sign . I sent you that article but obviously you have it .'Tis good .
I have also been in contact with his ( John Forrest's) grandson , now in Brisbane.
I'll send you the two Email addresses of Sherack and Forrest .
We can then communicate directly or through Old Marine Engines and take this cast iron stuff off this site ,unless they did make outboards
Regards Neil

[Eric Schulz]

Problem solved. I have come across an ad for a 4.5hp Blaxland outboard. It's a poor quality photocopy, but probably lawn mower engine powered.
So, Blaxland Rae, not Chapman & Sherack. They may not even have made it, just put their name on it.

Eric

[senojn]

Thats a nice find .Quite remarkable in fact !
We may be able to keep this line of questioning open .
There was a fellow , Bob Halfpenny who had Blaxland/Rae under St.George Motors Arncliffe  , Sydney , in the late 80's.
I'll see if iI can follow that track.
Neil

[senojn]

It is with great regret that I have to inform you that I was outbid on the Ebay sale of the Blaxland Rae Outboard !!!
As above ,there was some earlier discussion as to whether these motors were ever made.
Chapman/Sherack-Blaxland Rae were the builders of the famous inboard putt putt motors of which I have a few.
You will note that from previous posts that Mr Chapman did not like the threat of outboards so he had them broken up on trade -in.
However it appears Blaxland (also the name of my new Airedale puppy) was oblidged to compete at some stage.
Gee it went for a song.
See attached

Neil

[senojn]

Evidence of manufacturer .

[Eric Schulz]

Not being an outboard authority, I can't say who made the leg for the Blaxland outboard, but the engine is, without doubt, a Hurricane. That rib around the crankcase where the two halves join is a dead giveaway. The rest of the engine matches too.

Eric