WELCOME TO SCOTT STEWART'S
HOMELITE-FISHER PIERCE BEARCAT 55HP
4 CYCLE OUTBOARD WEBSITE----
HOME OF THE FIRST MASS PRODUCED
55 HORSEPOWER 4 STROKE CYCLE OUTBOARD
ENGINES. 1961-1972

The automobile-type dependability is what sold me to the hilt
on its worthiness because the engine, as well as the boat,
was taking a horrible beating when the going got rough.
I was also impressed by the fact that this beautifully-styled
55 horsepower package, pushing a big 18 foot Lapstrake hull
with a gross weight of 2230 pounds was able to average
25-mph-plus for more than 175 miles without the slightest
sign of fading or dropping off."
"I knew that the four-cycle, four-cylinder made a lot more
sense than some two cycle designs because the four-cylinder,
four-cycle engine has the reliability factor of the everyday-use
 automobile."
"During a stop at Vero Beach, quick work with the slide rule
showed our average speed to be 25.2 mph.
The oil consumption was nil!"
"At the end of the trip, we pulled up to the Palm Beach Yacht
Club dock holding an average speed for the entire run of
24.2 mph, without the slightest co-operation from the
elements."

The engine was produced by Homelite
(division of Textron Inc.) in Port Chester NY until 1966.
In 1966 Homelite sold the rights to Richard Fisher, the founder
of Boston Whaler Boats. Since the Homelite performed so well
on the Boston Whaler fishing boats, it was no surprise Richard
made the investment. Richard produced the engine under the
Fisher-Pierce Bearcat 55 label until all production stopped in
1972, the year prior to the major oil embargo that resulted in
gasoline rationing. It was no secret if he could have hung on a
few more months, things may have been different for his
Bearcat 55.
The engine has an excellent durability track record and
seldom wore out from use.

The Homelite powerhead is a larger spin-off of the Crosley
automobile engine. It features an integral head
(part of the block) which eliminates the head gasket and any
failures thereof. It is 59.4 cubic inches and produces
55hp at 5500rpm. With a five main bearing chrome plated
forged steel crankshaft, balanced connecting rods and pistons,
and a shaft driven overhead camshaft with direct action
solid lifters, the wide open throttle specifications of
5500 to 6000 rpm can be tolerated day in and day out.
An automotive type lubrication system with a spin on oil filter,
automotive type fuel pump feeding two Tillotson side draft
carburetors, regulated alternator charging system, thermostat,
push key choke, and single lever gearshift with RED warning light
and horn made the Homelite an attractive engine on the
showroom floor in the 60's. The price reflected all the new
technology as it listed for approximately $1499.00,
about $500.00 more than the comparable 2 cycle unit.

The Homelite was the second and perfected attempt of
converting the 44 cubic inch Crosley automobile engine of the
forties into an outboard. In the mid fifties, a gentleman named
Lou Fageol converted the 44 cubic inch Crosley engine into a
very primitive outboard. Called the Fageol 44, the engine was
rough looking from the prop to the shroud. However, it ran
smooth, didn't smoke, and boasted terrific fuel economy.
The Fageol resembled an old Mercury from the fifties except it
was a copper shade of gold wrapped with thin chrome.
In the late fifties, Lou sold the rights to Homelite.

The Crosley engine was also used long ago as a primitive
inboard. This inboard design was called Vertical Inboard Power
(VIP). The VIP design mounted the powerhead vertically on the
floor of the boat. It was attached directly to a lower unit
protruding through the floor into the water.
Steering was controlled by turning the entire assembly as one.

In our area, I have approximately 12 Homelite and Bearcat
engines restored and running. They are on a range of boat sizes
and styles. Several are on new pontoon boats and many are on
runabouts. Most of them are in service at a beautiful area along
the Allegheny river in East Brady, a small town in western PA.
Two are in service on the Susquehanna River at Goldsboro, PA.
The Homelite-Bearcat outboard can really turn heads since the
general boating public has never seen one before.
The 4 cycle advantages are very evident, especially in an idling
situation at launch ramps, marinas, "no wake zone" areas,
and the fuel dock!

One of my restored Homelite 55's was used in a head to head
comparison test with the new Mercury 50hp 4 cycle outboard in
the July 1996 issue of Trailer Boats Magazine. Since the Mercury
is rated at 50hp at the prop, and the Homelite is rated at 55hp
at the crankshaft, the test was just about dead even.
Both engines performed very well (as expected), and the
outcome was almost even.

Since I have been doing this for many years I have seen and
worked through just about every situation that could arise.
Please feel free to e mail www.bearcat55.com for information in
repairing and/or trying to locate a part. 
As with any obsolete product, time and patience are the most
important ingredient in a successful repair or restoration.

As the sixties neared the seventies, Richard Fisher realized the
boating public wanted more horsepower than his Bearcat 55.
He devoloped a 4 cycle 85hp model. It was introduced in 1970.
The powerhead was a marinized version of an aluminum English
built engine.
This was an aluminum block, three main bearing, 4 cylinder
engine that was used in some automobiles and as a pump
engine on some firetrucks. In theory, it was a great upgrade to
the Bearcat 55. In reality, the public just wasn't ready for a larger 4 cycle outboard. The 85hp model wasn't on the market long enough to develop any sort of track record.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see the 85hp model in person.
I would be interested in locating one if somebody happens to
know where one is.