Gale Models 22DE13 Outboard Motor Specs & Overview

Overview of the Gale 25 HP Outboard Motor Model 22DE13

Gale Products, a division of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), produced reliable, budget-friendly outboard motors throughout the mid-20th century. Sold under various brand names—including Buccaneer, Sea King (Montgomery Ward), and Atlas—Gale motors shared much of their internal mechanical heritage with their OMC siblings, Johnson and Evinrude. The 25 HP twin-cylinder motor, built around the legendary 35.7 cubic inch powerhead, is a testament to classic OMC engineering, offering a rugged build, generous low-end torque, and straightforward serviceability.

Featuring a full Forward-Neutral-Reverse gearshift, electric starting capabilities, and a 129-pound dry weight, models like the 22DE13 were popular workhorses for family runabouts, fishing craft, and utility boats in the late 1950s. Today, these motors are highly sought after by vintage outboard enthusiasts for their longevity and parts availability.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model Designation: 22DE13 (Series includes 22DE11 and 22DE14)
• Horsepower Rating: 25.0 HP @ 4,000 RPM (O.B.C. Certified)
• Displacement: 35.7 cubic inches
• Cylinder Configuration: 2 cylinders (2-port, alternate firing)
• Bore and Stroke: 2-7/8″ Bore x 2-3/4″ Stroke
• Ignition System: Flywheel magneto
• Carburetion: Float feed with adjustable high-speed and low-speed needle valves
• Speed Control: Synchronized spark and throttle with twist-grip control
• Starting System: Electric starting with automatic rewind manual backup
• Gearshift Pattern: Full Forward – Neutral – Reverse (F-N-R)
• Gear Ratio: 12:21
• Propeller: 3-blade, 10-3/8″ diameter x 12-1/2″ pitch
• Cooling System: Combination displacement and centrifugal pump with flexible rubber impeller
• Weight: 129 lbs (without fuel tank)
• Recommended Transom Height: 15″ (Standard short shaft)
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.0 gallons (Remote pressurized or pump-fed tank)

Maintenance & Restoration Advice

Restoring or maintaining a Gale 25 HP model requires a few standard procedures common to OMC outboards of this era:

• Ignition System Overhaul: The flywheel magneto uses standard OMC ignition components. Original universal coils are notorious for cracking over time due to age and heat. Replace old coils with modern epoxy-potted coils, replace the points (gap set to 0.020 inches), and install new condensers and spark plug wires for reliable starting.
• Cooling System Care: The water pump uses a flexible rubber impeller located in the lower unit housing. Never run the motor dry, as running without water will destroy the rubber vanes in seconds. Always replace the impeller before placing a resurrected motor into service.
• Carburetor Rebuild: The float-feed carburetor features dual adjustable needle jets. Disassemble and clean all passages using solvent, replace old cork or cracked floats with modern ethanol-resistant floats, and adjust the low-speed needle to 1-1/2 turns out and high-speed needle to 1 turn out as a baseline starting point.
• Lower Unit Seals and Lubricant: Inspect the gearcase for water intrusion. Replace the shift shaft seal, prop shaft seal, and drive shaft seal if milky oil is present. Fill the lower unit with quality marine gear lube (OMC Hi-Vis or equivalent 80W-90 marine gear oil).

Two-Stroke Fuel Mix & Lubrication

Due to the bushing-style bearings used in vintage OMC mid-section wrist pins and crankshaft journals of this era, operating with the proper fuel-to-oil mixture is crucial to prevent premature powerhead failure:

Recommended Fuel Ratio: 24:1

Mix 1 quart (32 oz) of NMMA-certified TC-W3 2-stroke outboard oil to 6 gallons of gasoline. Modern TC-W3 oil offers superior anti-scuff protection and cleaner burning than vintage non-detergent motor oils, but the oil concentration must remain 24:1 to adequately lubricate the internal bearings.

Fuel Tip: Whenever possible, use ethanol-free premium gasoline. Ethanol degrades vintage fuel lines, dissolves original cork fuel floats, and attracts moisture in vented marine fuel tanks.