CHERAS
Industries of Eagle Farm, Queensland was essentially a small foundry that
employed traditional gravity and sand casting techniques to produce of Aluminium
Castings for a variety of Australian manufacturers. The company was founded by Mr.
Brian Cheras in 1951 and is believed to have commenced manufacture of its own outboard motors, the Streamliner range from approximately 1955 or 1956.
Available with ratings of 3 & 5hp, the very first of the Streamliners were much like many American outboards of that era and featured a cast aluminium shroud with inbuilt fuel tank and recoil starter, a one-piece cast aluminium drive/exhaust housing with under-water exhaust, and a purpose styled gearbox. Hurricane air-cooled engines of 125 and 160cc delivered the power.
In the following years, the second generation Streamliner outboards were released. These were essentially as above-mentioned however with the carburettor relocated to the forward crank case, thus making the addition of forward controls possible. A reed valve was also added to better manage the fuel-airr mixture, resulting in easier starting and smoother running.
As the company continued with the manufacture of its own outboards, it also produced castings for numerous other Australian outboard manufacturers. Forward thinking, Cheras engineers may have also encouraged engine manufacturer Hurricane to develop a water-cooled solution for future versions of the Streamliner range; and although Hurricane went on to develop its Model 200 185cc water-cooled engine, there is no evidence at this time to support its use in Streamliner outboards.
It is understood the outboard manufacturing component of Cheras Industries was impacted heavily in the early 1960's when companies such as Mercury Marine, OMC, Clinton, Perkins etc, established their own manufacturing facilities in Australia. By that time the market had become more open also to foreign imports, making it all the more difficult for local manufacturers to compete.
Continuing their involvement in the outboard manufacturing scene however, Cheras engineers went on to produce a low-cost outboard conversion leg that could be easily mated by the user to either a Victa or Hurricane air-cooled engine, thereby delivering recreational boaters and fishermen an economical alternative to a purpose built outboard motor. Sold in to the mid-1970's, the Cheras outboard conversion leg was made available also to light weight manufacturers that produced outboard motors from readily available parts.
There is no doubt the contribution made by Cheras industries to the Australian outboard manufacturing is one of extreme significance.
In 1997, Cheras Industries became part of the G James Group of Companies. This provided the Cheras company with improved efficiencies and a greater access to inhouse resources. Cheras has however continued to operate autonomously, conscious of maintaining the personal service and flexibility that is generally expected from a small business. Today, Cheras Industries is said to be one of the largest and most versatile general aluminium casting operations in Australia producing approximately 100 tonne of aluminium castings every month.
SPECIFICATION
- Single cylinder, air-cooled, 2-stroke
- 3hp
- Bore and Stroke, 2.125” and 2.125” respectively. Total cubic capacity 125cc
- Amal Carburettor with reed valve and forward controls
- Inbuilt fuel tank
- Inbuilt recoil Starter
- WICO Ignition
- Anti-corrosion, light-weight aluminium alloy castings
Related information: The Hurricane Model 200 (with carburettor in the original/standard position) also featured in Hurricane, Blaxland Rae and Waterboy branded outboards, and in light weight competition chain saws.
Above images courtesy of current owner, M. Jensen, NSW, Australia
The Cheras Outboard Conversion Unit was manufactured in large quantities,and marketed through various marine chandlerys. As such, they are often found with Victa 18 mower engines attached and/or advertised as Victa Outboards. Victa in fact produced one outboards only, that being the Victa-Jet for approx 3 years commencing 1973.
