Big Problems

[HukilauMike]

This was the year that I thought I would be splashed and sailing early. I got a friend to help me prep the boat, and we were able to wash, compound and wax the topsides, scrub the cockpit and do bottom paint touch up all in one day. In other words, ready to splash pending only attaching the outboard engine. My engine had other ideas. This was also the year I chose to replace the impeller; my mechanic had to order the part and it took over two weeks for the thing to come in. I was literally on my way to pick up the engine when I got a call; upon testing, the mechanic found that the engine was leaking water near the power head and I needed a new gasket. He ordered the part (it was in stock) and promised it would be ready in a few days. He also felt bad about the delays and said he would take the engine over to the marina himself and put it on the boat. In the meantime, I had the boat launched. Once he got the engine apart, he found out it wasn't a leaking gasket: salt water had chewed a hole in the block itself. He is going to take it to someone else to see if they can weld a patch over the hole. If they can't, my 8 year old Nissan two stroke long shaft is dead. I don't think I will be able to afford a new engine this season, so my boat may become just a cocktail platform until next year.

Sigh.:cry:

 

[kpgraci]

Charge $2 a cocktail and invite a lot of friends.

 

[RECESS]

If that is the case he may feel bad for all that your outboard has gone through in his hands. Ask him if he has a used outboard for sale. He may cut you a hell of a price.

Lets hope the patch works.

 

[Brian M H23]

Get a small trolling motor. It will give you what you need to get away from the dock, just be careful and if the wind is on your nose, you might need to drop anchor.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Funny I, thought

For the majority of the time man has had sailboats none of them had one of those motor thingys. Are you saying that you can't back your boat using the sails or what? Granted, the slips now adays don't make it easy but with some fore thought you should be able to rig lines that you can use to pull the boat into the slip no matter what the wind or current.

 

[kenn]

Ouch. Sorry to hear about the ailing outboard.

I'm on a Great Lake, so I don't know a whole lot about the fate of outboards in salt water, but is this a common problem - salt water actually eating through the block? (or was it a sort of electrolysis?)

I would have expected the #1 problem would be clogging of the water passages with salt deposits.

 

[zeehag]

i had a similar problem with a 6 hp evinrud, 1996 model--i loved that engine---my mechanic found a place between the pistons where the salt had eaten away a bit of the topside of the block---and was trying to make the pistons become one.....hadnt gotten that far yet, but was half way---engine still worked and ran well---but could see was getting to be time for a change......
need to run thiose sea water outboards thru some salt remover occasionally--my mechanic i had for johnson-evinrude engines did that every time i brought the engine in for service----in the 3 yrs i used the beegeezes outta it, it was in the shop 5 times....

are you able to push your boat into the channel and then sail her out to play?? like the other guy sed--place long lines for retrieval of you and boat at your slip ready for use--and have some on boat also......

 

[Johnb]

I would go on the bum, put out the word around the marina that you have a need, advertise for motor wanted on craigs list, let the world know. My theory is that there are 1000's of bicycles, kayaks, canoes, snow boards etc tucked away in America and a lot of people are more than happy to see them go to make other people happy.

Then when you have, give to keep the cycle going.

 

[rejenk3]

My guess is if it's leaking in one place, others are soon to follow. It's probably not worth throwing much money at. I would try making an aluminum patch, apply high temp silicone (fireplace store). The pop rivit or small screws for support. Heck, even if it leaks, it's just nther return path for the coolant. That will give you some time to find a used OB.

 

[r.w.landau]

It ran with a leak last year...

Why not just run it or drill out the hole and tap a screw into it?
r.w.landau

 

[HukilauMike]

For the majority of the time man has had sailboats none of them had one of those motor thingys. Are you saying that you can't back your boat using the sails or what? Granted, the slips now adays don't make it easy but with some fore thought you should be able to rig lines that you can use to pull the boat into the slip no matter what the wind or current.

My first thought too. Unfortunately, sailing up and down the channel isn't practicable; its barely 50 feet from the boats at the end of the piers to the boats on the mooring pilings. It's too narrow and crowded to do on anything but an emergency basis. And getting away from my slip and out into the river given the prevailing winds without an engine is almost out of the question; in any case, it is beyond my skills.

 

[HukilauMike]

Why not just run it or drill out the hole and tap a screw into it?
r.w.landau

I haven't seen the offending hole yet, so I don't know if your suggestion is possible. I will certainly keep it in mind, thank you. My hope is that someone with far more experience and know-how than I will figure out a way to save my poor engine from the scrap heap, and me from a season on the dock.

 

[RAD]

Go on Craigs list, I found a 6 hp merc last year for 300.00, it was an oldie but ran good

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Sail in

My marina expressly forbids entering or leaving under sail except in an emergency. I have the skills (I learned to sail on boats with no motors, up to 45' yawls) but I am no longer allowed to practice those skills.

 

[rgranger]

I've used a trolling motor in the past. Works .... and recently I purchased a 5 hp Briggs & Stratton OB for $650. It is a 4-stroke so probably less noisy than your 2-stroke but it is air cooled so it is louder than other 4-strokes.

NO IMPELLER AT ALL

Good luck.

 

[RobG]

Try Outboard Exchange in Niantic

If she's dead try these guys. Funky place but they have a large selection of re-furbished or re-manufactured OBs with warrantees, advertised as half the cost of new. I just delt with them on some repairs and was happy with the outcome.

 

[HukilauMike]

If she's dead try these guys. Funky place but they have a large selection of re-furbished or re-manufactured OBs with warrantees, advertised as half the cost of new. I just delt with them on some repairs and was happy with the outcome.

thanks Rob

 

[HukilauMike]

For those of you kind enough to offer your suggestions and sympathy, I thought I would provide an update: As RW suggested, the mechanic was able to drill out the hole and tap a screw. However, I still don't have the engine back. Turns out that while putting the whole thing back together, they found another seal that was missing. Target date for completion and delivery to the boat is now Tuesday. So, with any kind of luck, I will have my first sail of the season next week.

Thanks again!

 

[bffatcat]

outboard problems my 2c

Sounds like your outboard has seen better days. I wouldnt put too much more into it.
Heres a suggestion You have a 22ft boat right? There are plenty of moorings all up and down the Connecticut shore. get one for this season anyway than you can sail off an on the mooring. thats what I do. Ive got an outboard but I dont use it much. My boat is bigger than yours. Oh get a paddle too: In case you run out of breeze

 

[dscribner]

There's a product called JB Weld that promises incredible strength after curing. They say that it can be filed, drilled and machined and take lots of pressure. You can get it at HomeDepot or an auto parts store. I made a whisker pole and used it as a potting compound to install the hooks. Worked well.