REO trollabout; seeking info

[Bernie Niemeyer]

Hey all. i found some pics of the REO trollabout inboard drive for boats. i'm looking for any info anyone might have on them like how many produced etc..
thanks
Bernie

[Andrew Mackey]

Look up Irv Troyer's web site on the REO engines. He has some details on the trollabout. I have 2 of them, both have serial #s that are outside the info Irv had from the factory! One is Low#, the other is High#! The trollabouts were designed to be installed in a small rowboat. They were the familiar 45 degree cast iron engine, mounted on a bevelled steel plate, that was bolted to the hull. A packing gland was installed to hold the prop shaft, and the rudder assembly bolted to the transom. Forward drive was either by belt - clutch arrangement or, reverse was friction drive, against a rubber clad wheel, mounted on the engine. A local mower shop had a trollabout NOS in the box, up to about 10 years ago. It has since disappeared. One of the trollabout engines I have was purchased at the Hudson Valley auction about 8 years ago, on the engine mount, the other was found in the boat at a local junk yard. Unfortunately, the scrapper had torched most of the assembly, before I saw what he was doing . I managed to save the engine, prop (about a 8" or 10" bronze), on a 3/4" shaft, and the engine mounting plate. The Trollabout engines had the stainless steel starter recoil assembly, and the throttle control was mounted directly on the engine shroud - directly connected to the throttle shaft on the carb - no governor. clutching was done by moving a lever mounted on the engine. (Reverse, Neutral, Drive) Supposedly, REO pulled the Trollabout from sales, because an in company Demo installation sank at the dock, and the company president did not want the liability, for the sinking. The trollabouts were to have been recalled, by REO, but I have heard of quite a few still out there, giving good service!
Irv's site can give you production dates.
Andrew

[John Newman, Jr.]

You can find general REO information on the ASECC Technical Data board at the following address:
http://www.asecc.com/data/reodata.html
For Irv's site go to:
http://members.aol.com/reo43/
His site also has links to other REO related sites.

[Bernie Niemeyer]

Thanks guys. between all those sites theres plenty of good info.
Bernie