Cape Breton octogenarian boasts collection of more than 400 antique outboard motors

Octogenarian Alex Fougere has collected about 400 outboard motors since 1970.

Alex Fougere, who has spent more than 50 years collecting antique boat outboard motors, just might need a bigger barn.

The Big Pond, N.S., octogenarian’s collection has reached roughly 400. The oldest model dates back to the year the Titanic sank.

“The oldest is from 1912, and the collection goes up to 1958,” Fougere said.

Fougere used to fish as a young man and repair his own outboard motors. He started his collection around 1970.

The majority of his old motors are Evinrudes, and his collection also pieces from the Johnston brand.

The 84-year-old said one type of model he collects was used during the Second World War.

“They’re called British Seagulls,” he said. “They were made for the Army. They don’t go by horsepower.”

Fougere’s wife Arabelle said her husband’s hobby is something she has learned to put up with over the years.

“He’s had them in the house, in the bedroom, everywhere before he built that garage,” she said with a laugh.

She said her husband’s knack for getting some motors to run again – including one for 1914 – is quite impressive.

“He said, ‘It’s a wall hanger,‘” Arabelle Fougere said. “Our son picked it up and the next day it was here. That night, it wasn’t a wall hanger. He got it running.”

While he is proud of his collection, and enjoys showing it off to visitors, Fougere is humble about it, too.

“I just call it a hobby, that’s all,” he said.

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