My outboat took a swim today...

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MacMikey

MacMikey

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Sep 25, 2008
77
Macgregor 25 Naples, Fl.
My outboard took a swim today...

Well it just goes to prove the old addage..."if it an't broke...don't fix it.

My outboat motor bracket was looking a bit under the weather so I purchased a new one. On the first trip out, today
the polyboard mount broke in half and down she went...and I dived and caught the battery cable and got a hold on her. After getting it secured to the rail with lines, I took a break and called TowBoatUS and when the skipper arrived we were able to get my new Nissan 8hp on board for the trip home. I did lose the cowling in the process.

The good news is after applying first aid, which ment frest water flush, remove plugs, drain oil (water present) , flushing with Kerosene, removing carb and flushing with fresh gas, hand cranking and applying PB Blaster into the clynders....hand cranking some more and then she fired right up and ran a little rough for about a minute before smoothing out and running like normal.

I let it run for about an hour tonite and will keep running her for the next week for about an hour in the morning and again in the evening.

Now for a question....Has anyone ever had any poblems with braking one of these polyboard motor mounts? From the look of mine, I think it was a bad injection mold batch....the weight of the motor is 85lbs. and the bracket is rated 118lbs.
 

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Bob McL

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Oct 16, 2008
512
MacGregor/Venture 25 Mesa AZ
I would be on the phone with the provider (or manufacturer - or both) of that bracket discussing reimbursement for trouble/expense caused. It would be nice to know the brand so we could avoid buying one like it. I have never heard of that happening before.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Definitely, a call to the manufacturer is in order... Document everything. Also, a call or letter to BoatUS about the problem is in order as well. They are very good at getting resolution to defective products and forcing manufacturers to issue recalls.
Bob McL said:
I would be on the phone with the provider (or manufacturer - or both) of that bracket discussing reimbursement for trouble/expense caused. It would be nice to know the brand so we could avoid buying one like it. I have never heard of that happening before.
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Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
The bracket rating is "safe working load"? What did it look like before it broke?
 
JoeWhite

JoeWhite

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Mar 6, 2008
1,299
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
MacMikey,
You mensioned 8HP and gas driven motor. Judging from the photo of the motor - it looks just like my motor. I have a 4 cycle gas engine it weighs 118lbs but it is 9.9HP. My entire mount broke - fortunatley it was when I was towing it and I did not loose the engine. It had a 2 stroke engine before. What I am getting at is that a 2 stroke engine of the same horse power weighs half as much. So I should have replaced the engine bracket with a stronger one when I changed the engine. I learned the hardway. So I believe the reason your engine braket broke was because it was carying 118+ lbs and it was at its limit. I guess I am wondering if your 8HP engine is really 85 lbs.
 
RECESS

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,505
Pearson 323 . St. Mary's Georgia
Nice save and what a great plan executed when you got home. I will have you on the phone should my outboard ever try to jump ship!
 
MacMikey

MacMikey

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Sep 25, 2008
77
Macgregor 25 Naples, Fl.
My outboard took a swim today.....

Accidental damages are usually covered by Insurance.
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I agree....but who's insurance?

I guess I am wondering if your 8HP engine is really 85 lbs.
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I stand corrected...it weights 90 according to Nissan.

And next time- you'll put a safety line on the motor !
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Do you mean the one that is still laying down in the cabin....that one?

The bracket rating is "safe working load"? What did it look like before it broke?
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Very , Very Shinny....it was brand new...!

It would be nice to know the brand so we could avoid buying one like it.
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Discussing brands I don't think would prove to be prudent at this time.....That sorta sounded like G.H.Bush didn't it...well I will get back to you about the brand as soon as I have first given the maker a chance to do the right thing.....or not.
 
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MrBee

MrBee

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Dec 30, 2008
425
Irwin 34 Citation Middle River, Md.
Sounds as though you have it all under control.
A spray I recommend for Fogging motors and works great for what happened to yours, is Seadoo Lube. comes in a spray can. I have used it for jetski motors that were submerged and full of water. We don't own jetski's anymore but I always try to have some of that spray on hand. It also works well as a lube and lots of other stuff.

Bee
 
MrBee

MrBee

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Dec 30, 2008
425
Irwin 34 Citation Middle River, Md.
MacMikey
Good choice, wait to see what the manufacturers response is before stating their name. Then you can also let us know if they did the correct thing or not.

Thanks
Bee
 
G

guest

Yes - MacMikeys 8 hp weighs 85.5 lbs.

Joe White - your 9.8 (not 9.9 as you say) weighs 90.4 lbs - not 118 lbs. That's assuming the 9.8 motor you mention is the extra long shaft with electric start.

One thing MacMikey, when you go to buy a new motor cowl, save some money and get either a Mercury or Tohatsu cowl. The Nissan is the more expensive, yet the configuration is identical for all.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Pretty good advice, since Tohatsu actually makes the small Nissan and Mercury outboards...

guest said:
One thing MacMikey, when you go to buy a new motor cowl, save some money and get either a Mercury or Tohatsu cowl. The Nissan is the more expensive, yet the configuration is identical for all.
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tommays

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Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
You did a GREAT job saving it

In the long term term will be issues with things like the recoil starter without taking it apart and lubing the parts and some parts under the flywheel may have rusting issues also
 
MacMikey

MacMikey

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Sep 25, 2008
77
Macgregor 25 Naples, Fl.
In the long term term will be issues with things like the recoil starter without taking it apart and lubing the parts and some parts under the flywheel may have rusting issues also
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I did take that in consideration. I have sprayed the inside of the recoil and under the flywheel before every starting attempt and I am hoping it is getting thrown around under there enough to cover all the nucks and craneys.

I must state here that this is not my first time with submerging outboards....I have sunk a few boats in my day through both equipment failure and acts of stupidity.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,055
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Outboard for a swim

I think you got it correct, Mike.. Speed of attack and not letting it sit in air before applying a water displacer after the rescue is paramount! Look on e-bay for a used cowl .. ya might be able to save a few dollars.. The picture is of my 1967 Johnson; cowl was repainted a few months ago and some non-oem decals applied..
 

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Tim C350 April IV

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Dec 2, 2003
392
Catalina 350 Seattle
Looks like you were able to salvage what could have been a pretty bad situation.

Is it possible that the motor hold-down screws were over tightened, causing the bracket material to crack? Not that I'm saying it's OK for the mount to crack under those circumstances, just wondering.....

Good Luck (or should I say "Continued Good Luck!)
Tim Brogan
April IV C350 #68
Seattle
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
MacMikey said:
I must state here that this is not my first time with submerging outboards....I have sunk a few boats in my day through both equipment failure and acts of stupidity.
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I was going to say welcome to the club, but it looks like your not just a member, you're the president! How deep was the water? If its any consolation mine ran better after the dunking. It was quick thinking on your part. I stood their like a dummy and watched it slowly disappear.
 
MacMikey

MacMikey

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Sep 25, 2008
77
Macgregor 25 Naples, Fl.
How deep was the water?
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It was 25-30 ft. and the wind was out of the East at around 15kts. I didn't have my GPS on at the time or I could have pressed the MOB button and gone back today an dove on it.

President...dang, what an honor...I think. You should all be proud of me, for as your President I plan on leading by example and will be doing my part to keep the boating industry afloat by replacing parts that were not wore out.
 
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