Outboard motor question

[tgrass462]

I have a 9.9 Mercury Bigfoot on my Hunter 260. Love it - one of the best investments we've made. Yesterday, on Carlyle Lake - I was motor sailing down from Boulder Marina to West Access Marina - about 6 NM - I noticed that in addition to a good stream of cooling water shooting from my motor, there was some steam - or something like steam coming from the motor as well. Now the temperature was about 50 degrees, relatively cool. Later in the day when it warmed up to around 70 degrees there was no steam visible. The motor did not over heat, did not even feel warm. Can I assume this was a function of the cool temperatures?

Tom Grass
GH III

 

[isaksp00]

Where was the steam coming from? If it was near the telltale water stream, is that water at all warm?
On the Honda 8HP (which may be quite different than the Merc) the telltale stream is cool, as I assume it bypasses the cooling jacket. On the Merc it may mix, and then I'd think there might be steam due to the cool air surrounding it.

 

[tgrass462]

Thanks Peter. I didn't feel the stream to see if it was hot ... BUT I do know that I also have a new Mercury 2.5 HP Four Stroke - when I winterize this motor - the stream is VERY warm.
Tom Grass
GH III

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Ask the dealer but if not one in the area, the engines are the same as the Nissan which both brands are built by Tohatsu and they are all identical.

 

[MaxinCalgary]

It was probably just the water used to cool your exhaust . If the bypass stream is strong and not too hot , your not overheating.
I have a Yamaha T9.9. Similar type. Should be mandatory on these boats. Before I had a 15hp Nissan with a normal prop. Boat handled like a barge.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Again I will post this warning. Sailboat transoms are not built like power boat transoms and manufacturers have designed sailboat transoms to handle up to 10 hp outboard engines. You are putting at risk damaging the transom over time plus the larger engines contrary to some will not go any faster as this is a displacement hull. All you have to do on a normal day is watch the bow start to rise which at that point the bow is like hitting a wall of water and you cannot go any faster but rather slowing down.