Spring is here and the lake beckons. At the risk of boring you with this question again... What motor are you using for your 146 or 170? I have studied the archives, and seen that the Honda 2hp 4-stroke seems to be the gas motor of choice. I currently use a 12lb, 1 1/2 hp Cruise-n-Carry. I like it but it's main drawback is the NOISE!!! The motor will be primarily for getting in/out of the narrow cove where I dock, and for emergencies where I am far from home and need to get back quick. The 146b is lighter still than the 170, so I am a bit concerned about weight. (Little me singlehanding - 70% of the time, with passengers - 30%.) The Hondas are expensive - not sure I can justify getting that when I do have a usable motor. And - one big question - WHAT HAPPENS TO IT WHEN IT GETS DUNKED???? I dunked the Cruise-n-Carry - after 3 hrs in the water, and 2 hours before I got it home, took a simple cleaning and it was purring (ok, roaring) again. Thanks all! (P.S. I am pretty set against electrics.)
Motor for 146 (not electric), & can it get dunked?
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Benny
I ran into an ad the other day..
Look in the internet under small outboards; there is a company out there selling what looks to be converted "weedwackers" . I would imagine they are quite noisy. If you have a working motor stick with it until you can find a good used 2 stroke. For 2006 due to new EPA regs. all manufacturers have discontinued the small (under 50 HP) two stroke engines. The four strokes being offered are on the average 10 pounds heavier for similar horse power and they also cost more. You do not indicate how you dunked your motor but if weight is the problem you are not going to find any good 2HP+ motor under 25 pounds.
Look in the internet under small outboards; there is a company out there selling what looks to be converted "weedwackers" . I would imagine they are quite noisy. If you have a working motor stick with it until you can find a good used 2 stroke. For 2006 due to new EPA regs. all manufacturers have discontinued the small (under 50 HP) two stroke engines. The four strokes being offered are on the average 10 pounds heavier for similar horse power and they also cost more. You do not indicate how you dunked your motor but if weight is the problem you are not going to find any good 2HP+ motor under 25 pounds.
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Brian
Noisy motor
I have the Honda 2 hp. Its light and reliable. But my only complaint is that it is noisy. One reason is that it has only one cylinder. So I don't think the honda will be any quieter and I would not want the added weight of a larger, quieter motor. So I say stick with what you have and spend the money on something else you need. The honda can not get dunked. One of our club members dunked his and had to have the dealer go through the motor. Brian
I have the Honda 2 hp. Its light and reliable. But my only complaint is that it is noisy. One reason is that it has only one cylinder. So I don't think the honda will be any quieter and I would not want the added weight of a larger, quieter motor. So I say stick with what you have and spend the money on something else you need. The honda can not get dunked. One of our club members dunked his and had to have the dealer go through the motor. Brian
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Rick S.
motor dunking, noise
Tereza, Factors that make a difference are fresh/salt water, and whether the motor is running or not when it goes under. Salt water is potentially more corrosive than fresh, and a running motor may suck water into the carb and cylinder before it stalls. In rare cases, dunking a hot motor will crack a cylinder head. For small-boat sailors, the plus side is that when we go over, chances are the motor is shut off, the cylinder head is cool, and the upper unit does not remain submerged for very long. The standard old advice for a dunked motor is to get it to shore ASAP, hose it off, remove the spark plug, crank the starter a few times to clear the cylinder, squirt a little oil into the cylinder, and replace the plug. Check the fuel tank for water and if necessary, drain it and replace with fresh fuel. Drain the carb bowl and then start the motor. If it won't start, take it in for service ASAP. Maybe somebody younger than I, and familiar with the newer motors, can tell you if this advice still applies. The electronics may be different and more, or less, susceptible to damage. As for the noise, you'll be paying a premium in both money and weight for a quiet motor. If you are only using it to scoot in and out of the cove, or for occasional emergencies, I'd stick with the noisy 12-pounder, because that's as light as they come. If you are concerned about damaging your hearing (vs. annoying everyone around you), a pair of ear plugs is a lot less expensive than a new Honda 4-stroke. And as a learner, my "capsize anxiety" is lessened by the knowledge that if I dunk my old 2-stroke and it seizes, I'm out $75 plus the price of a replacement. If I dunk a new Honda, I'm out $900 plus replacement. A safety cable or light chain from the motor (usually a hole in the motor mount clamp handle) to a secure place on the transom (on the 170, the metal bracket reinforcing the motor mount) will keep you from losing the motor entirely if the clamp shakes loose underway or during a capsize. Spring has arrived in Upstate NY but Lake Ontario is still at 38 degrees. Hope your lake is warming up faster than that. Happy sailing. Rick
Tereza, Factors that make a difference are fresh/salt water, and whether the motor is running or not when it goes under. Salt water is potentially more corrosive than fresh, and a running motor may suck water into the carb and cylinder before it stalls. In rare cases, dunking a hot motor will crack a cylinder head. For small-boat sailors, the plus side is that when we go over, chances are the motor is shut off, the cylinder head is cool, and the upper unit does not remain submerged for very long. The standard old advice for a dunked motor is to get it to shore ASAP, hose it off, remove the spark plug, crank the starter a few times to clear the cylinder, squirt a little oil into the cylinder, and replace the plug. Check the fuel tank for water and if necessary, drain it and replace with fresh fuel. Drain the carb bowl and then start the motor. If it won't start, take it in for service ASAP. Maybe somebody younger than I, and familiar with the newer motors, can tell you if this advice still applies. The electronics may be different and more, or less, susceptible to damage. As for the noise, you'll be paying a premium in both money and weight for a quiet motor. If you are only using it to scoot in and out of the cove, or for occasional emergencies, I'd stick with the noisy 12-pounder, because that's as light as they come. If you are concerned about damaging your hearing (vs. annoying everyone around you), a pair of ear plugs is a lot less expensive than a new Honda 4-stroke. And as a learner, my "capsize anxiety" is lessened by the knowledge that if I dunk my old 2-stroke and it seizes, I'm out $75 plus the price of a replacement. If I dunk a new Honda, I'm out $900 plus replacement. A safety cable or light chain from the motor (usually a hole in the motor mount clamp handle) to a secure place on the transom (on the 170, the metal bracket reinforcing the motor mount) will keep you from losing the motor entirely if the clamp shakes loose underway or during a capsize. Spring has arrived in Upstate NY but Lake Ontario is still at 38 degrees. Hope your lake is warming up faster than that. Happy sailing. Rick
If its Gas its noisy !
I too have the Honda 4 stroke 2 horse power, I bought it because of Honda's reputation. it does seem noisy, about the same as a lawn mower !.......its an air cool engine, which is just like your gas lawn mower. I dunked mine about a year ago in salt water, I got it to the Honda dealer in a day or two who went through it before I started it up again, It runs great ! It sounds like you have a pretty reliable motor now, no real reason to part company unles you really want something new. For a guiet motor you can't beat the electrics, they perform probably as well as the small out boards, the draw back for me would be where I mounted the 12 volt battery and maintaning the battery. I'm terrible with electrical stuff including my car batteries. if they sit for any period of time (3-6 months their usualy dead or to weak to start my cars. I have no regrets spending the money for my Honda, it starts all the time and runs well. I also did not want to mix the gas and oil and being abn air cooled engine simply means I just hose it off when I'm done sailing, no flushing the engine with fresh water after sailing. I use mine for all the reasons you stated. Happy sailing.....
I too have the Honda 4 stroke 2 horse power, I bought it because of Honda's reputation. it does seem noisy, about the same as a lawn mower !.......its an air cool engine, which is just like your gas lawn mower. I dunked mine about a year ago in salt water, I got it to the Honda dealer in a day or two who went through it before I started it up again, It runs great ! It sounds like you have a pretty reliable motor now, no real reason to part company unles you really want something new. For a guiet motor you can't beat the electrics, they perform probably as well as the small out boards, the draw back for me would be where I mounted the 12 volt battery and maintaning the battery. I'm terrible with electrical stuff including my car batteries. if they sit for any period of time (3-6 months their usualy dead or to weak to start my cars. I have no regrets spending the money for my Honda, it starts all the time and runs well. I also did not want to mix the gas and oil and being abn air cooled engine simply means I just hose it off when I'm done sailing, no flushing the engine with fresh water after sailing. I use mine for all the reasons you stated. Happy sailing.....
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david
Nissan 2.5 2 stroke
I spent the winter tracking down a 2 stroke motor (didn't want the expense and weight of a 4 stroke). Finally tracked one down through Cabela's (they had to search a number of other stores). I got it for $500 new, much better than the $800 they were asking for the new 4 stroke 2.5's. I can't wait for the ice to melt off the lake to get it in the water to try it out. I, too, just need it for getting to and from dock, so I can put up with the noise for a couple of minutes. I am glad you asked the question about dunking too, so I can be prepared. I do have a mast float and when I practiced capsizing last summer, it looks like the motor will not get dunked even with a capsize. Anyone have experience capsizing with a motor and a mast float? Did the motor get dunked?
I spent the winter tracking down a 2 stroke motor (didn't want the expense and weight of a 4 stroke). Finally tracked one down through Cabela's (they had to search a number of other stores). I got it for $500 new, much better than the $800 they were asking for the new 4 stroke 2.5's. I can't wait for the ice to melt off the lake to get it in the water to try it out. I, too, just need it for getting to and from dock, so I can put up with the noise for a couple of minutes. I am glad you asked the question about dunking too, so I can be prepared. I do have a mast float and when I practiced capsizing last summer, it looks like the motor will not get dunked even with a capsize. Anyone have experience capsizing with a motor and a mast float? Did the motor get dunked?
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