Widely regarded as the first K&O produced name brand toy outboard. This is a very rare and highly desirable motor. The stand for this motor is also very rare and has two variations. The exceptionally rare and very early version has a wood upright and wooden oval base. The later version has a wooden upright and tin oval base. Both stand versions are VERY rare with the earlier version being the rarest K&O stand available.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

No country of origin stamped on lower unit

No remote steering bracket

Tiller handle is tapered at the end

“Sea-Horse” is beside “25” on the lower cowl decal

Knurled wire nuts have a larger ridges than in later years

Green is paler in color than later years

“Notch” in lower unit just below cowl towards the rear of the motor

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in a brown box with red “Sea-Horse” graphics, instruction sheet, white tin and wood stand, green battery wires and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 5/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4/5

Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

Very rare but, not as rare as the 1952 Johnson Sea-Horse. Very sought after and desirable motor. The 1953 motors often show circular casting marks on the lower unit. This motor was also initially offered with the very rare wood upright and tin oval base stand. Later this year the stand switched over to the more common white plastic two-piece version. The plastic two-piece stand was offered on with select K&O motors until 1962.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

“Japan” stamped in lower unit

First year with remote steering bracket

Tiller handle is rounded with no tapper towards end

“Sea-Horse” is beside “25” on the lower cowl decal

Knurled wire nuts have a larger ridge than in later years

Green is paler in color than later years

“Notch” in lower unit just below cowl towards the rear of the motor

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in a brown box with red “Sea-Horse” graphics, instruction sheet, white tin and wood stand, green battery wires and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 5/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

The most common K&O Johnson 25hp. Last year for knurled wire nuts. Early 1954 versions of this motor still have the “notched” lower unit seen on the 1953 model. Pictured above is the most common version of the 1954 Johnson with “small” brand logo and sans “notch” in the lower unit. Later versions offered in 1954 have the larger Johnson logo as seen on the 1955 Johnson model.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

“Japan” in raised letters on lower unit

Same brand name decal as seen on previous years with new lower cowl decal design, “Sea-Horse” and “25” are stacked and “25” is now yellow

Knurled wire nuts have new thinner ridges than in previous years

Green is brighter and more vivid in color than previous years

“Notch” in lower unit has been removed

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in a brown box with red “Sea-Horse” graphics, instruction sheet, white plastic stand, green battery wires and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 1/5
Desirability: 2/5
Value: 2/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

Slightly rarer than the 1954 Johnson 25hp. New larger 1955 Johnson cowl design. Now appearing with attached battery wires and “fork” terminals. Early versions of this motor came with a green faceplate that matched the green on the motor. Later version have a white color faceplate that matched the side cowl trim color. The white paint is poor quality and if often seen badly chipped and scratched.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

New 1955 Johnson Sea-Horse design

No knurled wire nuts

First year for attached battery wires - bright green with red and blue insulators

Only Johnson motor with green battery wires

Same green as in previous year

Last year for “green” K&O Johnson outboards

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in a brown box with updated graphics red “Sea-Horse” graphics, instruction sheet, white plastic stand and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 2.5/5
Desirability: 3/5
Value: 2.5/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

The second most common K&O Johnson. First year offered in Holiday Bronze color. Same motor design as seen in 1955 with body color, wire color and decal changes.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

First year for “HP” increase to 30HP

Burgundy battery wires with red and blue insulators

Same body style as 1955 model

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in brown box with same updated red “Sea-Horse” graphics as seen in 1955, instruction sheet, white plastic stand and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 1/5
Desirability: 2/5
Value: 2/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

Similar in rarity and desirability as the 1955 Sea-Horse. The 1957 Sea-Horse maintains similar body style as 1955 and 56 Sea-Horse motors but, with more elaborate two-tone paint scheme. The cowl for this motor was made in multiple pieces. The Holiday Bronze plates behind the Johnson logo are separate pieces. Early versions of the motor had screwed on cowl pieces and a raised logo “badge” on the front cowl. Later version of the motor have glued on cowl pieces with a logo decal on the front cowl.

Notable Traits:

Height: 5.5 inches

Second year for “HP” increase to 35HP

Same burgundy battery wires with red and blue insulators as seen on 1956 Sea-Horse

Same body style as 1955-56 models

Last year for mid-size motor design

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

3-Blade Prop

Offered in brown box with updated black “Sea-Horse” graphics, instruction sheet, white plastic stand and metal battery post terminals

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 2/5
Desirability: 3/5
Value: 2.5/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

This is one of the rarer and more desirable Sea-Horse motors. 1958 was the first model year for the new “small” K&O motors. These were available in new 4-color “Painted” K&O boxes. Only the small K&O motors were offered in these paint-style boxes from 1958-1960. 1958 small motors also came with a new spring-drive drivetrain. The motor was connected to the prop shaft with a spring rather than the solid drive shaft as found on earlier K&O motors. The 1958 35HP Johnson and Evinrude motors were the only two motors that originally came with a small metal fitment wedge to better attach the motors to certain Fleet Line boats. The wedge would be placed between the transom bracket on the motor and transom on the boat. This wedge is very rare as many of them have been lost over the years. his wedge is very rare as many of them have been lost over the years.

Notable Traits:

Height: 4.75 inches

New thinner black battery wires with red and blue insulators

Same body style as 1955-57 models but, now shorter and slightly thinner than previous years

No longer offered with tiller handle

One of only two motors originally sold with a small metal fitment-wedge (Very rare piece)

First year with “spring-drive” drivetrain

2-Blade Prop - smaller dimensions than 3-blade Prop

Offered in the “Painted” full color K&O box featuring rendering of the motor

Came with instruction sheet - no stand included

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 3.5/5
Desirability: 4/5
Value: 3.5/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

This is one of the more detailed K&O’s available which increases its desirability even though it’s not particularly rare. This is the first Super Sea-Horse offered by K&O. 1958 was also the first model year for “large” V-4 Johnson motors. The 1958 Johnson motor was the only “large” motor that came in a brown box with a white profile of the motor and burgundy logo.

Notable Traits:

Height: apx 6 inches

White battery wires with red and blue insulators

Only Johnson motor offered in gold/white color combo

First year for high HP V-4 motors - 50HP

Solid driveshaft between motor and propshaft

Nicknamed the “Porthole Johnson” due to exhaust ports on rear of motor

3-Blade Prop

Offered in large brown box with burgundy logo and a white profile of the motor

Came with instruction sheet and white plastic stand

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 2.5/5
Desirability: 3.5/5
Value: 3.5/5
*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

An entirely new look and color for 1959. Shown here in all white, this is another “small” K&O motor. The 1959 Sea-Horse is not as rare or desirable as the 1958 Sea-Horse but, still not a common motor. Has a single tab on the back of the cowl that is very hard to find and commonly missing.

Notable Traits:

• Height: 4.75 inches

• Thin white battery wires with red and light blue insulators

• New body style for 1959

• “Spring-drive” drivetrain

• Intricate multi-piece cowl design

• 2-Blade Prop - smaller dimensions than 3-blade Prop

• Offered in the “Painted” full color K&O box featuring rendering of the motor

• Came with instruction sheet - no stand included

• 3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 2.5/5
Desirability: 3/5
Value: 3/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

Like its smaller companion, this motor is also shown in all white. This is the second year for the “large” V-4 Johnson motors. The 1959 Super Sea-Horse is not as desirable as the 1958 or 1960 Super Sea-Horse but, it’s still not a common motor and is semi-desirable. The 1959 brown box graphics were updated with Johnson branding shown in black. These same boxes were used for all large Johnson motors from 1959-1962.

Notable Traits:

Height: apx 6 inches

White battery wires with red and blue insulators

New body style for 1959

Two “Tabs” on rear of cowl.

First year for “Spring-drive” drivetrain in the V-4 motors

3-Blade Prop

Less popular with collectors than 1958 and 1960 Super Sea Horse’s

Intricate multi-piece cowl design

Offered in large brown box with black “Sea-Horse” logo graphics

This same box was used for all Super Sea-Horse motors until 1962

Came with instruction sheet and white plastic stand

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 2.5/5
Desirability: 2.5/5
Value: 3/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

1960 continued the all-white paint scheme. This is another “small” K&O motor and is VERY rare and desirable. Unlike the 1959 version, the 1960 has a very symmetrical cowl design. The chrome cowl trim has been replaced with a bulkier black and gold band separating the top and bottom of the cowl. The side decals are often very yellowed from age making the Johnson name hard to read on some motors.

Notable Traits:

Height: 4.75 inches

Thin white battery wires with red and light blue insulators

Simplistic design

“Spring-drive” drivetrain

Multi-piece cowl design featuring black and gold band

2-Blade Prop - smaller dimensions than 3-blade Prop

Offered in the same “Painted” full color K&O box as the 1959 35HP Sea-Horse - 1960 box featured the rendering of the 1959 35HP motor

Came with instruction sheet - no stand included

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 4.5/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4.5/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 beingmost

1960 continued the all-white paint scheme. This is another “large” K&O motor and is VERY rare and desirable but, not as rare as the 40hp version. The 1960 Super Sea-Horse has a streamlined cowl design. The chrome cowl trim piece seen on the 1959 version has been replaced with black and gold band separating the top and bottom of the cowl. There are two versions of this cowl top. One version with a separate gold-color metal trim band on top of the motor and one version has a decal representing the gold trim band. The larger K&O motors came in brown boxes with the Johnson branding shown in black graphics. These same boxes were used for all large Johnson motors from 1959-1962.

Notable Traits:

Height: apx 6 inches

White battery wires with green and red insulators instead of the red and blue from earlier year motors

Streamlined cowl design

Multi-piece cowl featuring black and gold band

“Spring-drive” drivetrain

3-Blade Prop

Offered in large brown box with black “Sea-Horse” logo graphics

This same box was used for all Super Sea-Horse motors until 1962

Came with instruction sheet and white plastic stand

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 4/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 beingmost

1961 began the white and gray two-tone paint scheme. The 1961 Sea-Horse is a rare and desirable “small” K&O motor but not as rare as the 1960 or 1962 small versions. The motor shows an updated cowl design from previous year with a new rear grab-handle and stepped rear cowl. This is also the first year for the stacked Johnson logo.

Notable Traits:

Height: 4.75 inches

Thin white battery wires with red and light blue insulators

New cowl design with updated grab handle and stepped rear cowl

Only year to feature “Super Quiet” decal on lower unit

Multi-piece cowl featuring black and gold band

first year of “stacked” Johnson logo

“Spring-drive” drivetrain

2-Blade Prop - smaller dimensions than 3-blade Prop

Offered in “Painted” limited color K&O box featuring rendering of the motor

Came with instruction sheet - no stand included

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 3/5
Desirability: 4/5
Value: 3.5/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 beingmost

1961 began the white and gray two-tone paint scheme. The 1961 Super Sea-Horse is rare and desirable “large” K&O motor but not as rare as the 1960 or 1962 versions. The motor maintains a lot of the same design characteristics from the 1960 version but, with a newly designed rear grab-handle and stepped cowl. This is also the first year for the stacked Johnson logo. The larger K&O motors came in brown boxes with the Johnson branding shown in black graphics. These same boxes were used for all large Johnson motors from 1959-1962.

Notable Traits:

Height: apx 6 inches

White battery wires with green and red insulators instead of the red and blue from earlier year motors

Streamlined cowl design like 1960

Only year to feature “Super Quiet” decal on lower unit

Multi-piece cowl featuring black and gold band

“Spring-drive” drivetrain

3-Blade Prop

Offered in large plain brown box with black “Sea-Horse” logo graphics

This same box was used for all Super Sea-Horse motors until 1962

Came with instruction sheet and white plastic stand

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 3.5/5
Desirability: 4/5
Value: 3.5/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 beingmost

1962 was the last year for metal K&O motors. The 1962 Sea-Horse continued the white and gray two-tone paint scheme. This motor is a VERY rare and desirable “small” K&O motor but not as rare as the 1960 version. The motor has the same design as the 1961 Sea-Horse with updated front and rear decals, painted transom screws and cups, and “Super Quite” decal omitted.

Notable Traits:

• Height: 4.75 inches

• Thin white battery wires with red and light blue insulators

• Same motor design as 1961 Sea-Horse with updated decals and painted transom screws and cups

• Transom screws and cups painted same color as lower unit

• “Super Quiet” removed for 1962

• Multi-piece cowl featuring black and gold band

• “Stacked” Johnson logo

• “Spring-drive” drivetrain

• 2-Blade Prop - smaller dimensions than 3-blade Prop

• Offered in same “Painted” limited color K&O box as the 1961 Sea-Horse featuring rendering of the motor

• Came with instruction sheet - no stand included

• 3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 4/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4.5/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 being most

1962 was the last year for metal K&O motors. The 1962 Super Sea-Horse is the same as the 1961 with exception to decals and painted transom screws and cups. This motor is a VERY rare and desirable “large” K&O motor. The larger K&O motors came in brown boxes with the Johnson branding shown in black graphics. These same boxes were used for all large Johnson motors from 1959-1962.

Notable Traits:

Height: apx 6 inches

White battery wires with green and red insulators instead of the red and blue from earlier year motors

Same design as 1961 with updated front and rear decals

Multi-piece cowl featuring black and gold band

Transom screws and cups were painted same color as lower unit

“Spring-drive” drivetrain

3-Blade Prop

Offered in large plain brown box with black “Sea-Horse” logo graphics

This same box was used for all Super Sea-Horse motors until 1962

Came with instruction sheet and white plastic stand

3 to 6 Volts

Rarity: 4/5
Desirability: 5/5
Value: 4.5/5

*Ratings based on 1-5 with 1 being least and 5 beingmost