Outboards

T_Cat · Jul 10, 2015

My girl came with a 87 Honda 4 cycle 2 hp outboard. After fiddling with it for 20 min I got it running in a garbage can of water.
The outboard ran rough and the impeller needed changing, I didn't like the lack of reverse and after speaking with a local Honda outboard repair center I decided to replace the outboard with a new Tohatsu 4hp long shaft.

piedpiperIII · Jul 10, 2015

This has me thinking, I have an Evinrude twin 6hp 2 stroke and it did die on me first time out. I have that fixed now but I do plan to buy a brand new soon as I can. Reason I went with 6 hp "and it is a 93" was because we plan to take our boat to the coast and I want the extra power if needed but I wonder now if that will ever happen so maybe a smaller motor?

piedpiperIII · Jul 10, 2015

T cat does your 4hp do real well?

Gene Neill · Jul 10, 2015

Time_Out said:
I'm just curious if any of you racers use a motor like this, because it's just so lightweight? I actually have to push the motor mount down pretty hard to put it in the water!

I'm not a racer, so I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that racers have to have a motor of a certain weight. Otherwise they'd all use little 2-ounce motors from RC boats or something.

EDIT: Love the little Gamefisher BTW. That'd be the bombdiggity for a dinghy motor!

CaptDon01 · Jul 10, 2015

Many of the racers use the little 2 and 2.3 HP Honda's, but they are required to add 10Lbs of weight to the stern because the rules require an outboard of at least 40 Lbs.

Last summer one of our friends forgot to check the impeller on his 5HP Honda, and after launching his Capri-18 his outboard was overheating, so I loaned him our 2 HP air cooled Honda we carry for the dinghy, and it pushed him most of the 33 miles to Catalina Island.

I really like the little Honda but it doesn't get used very much, so every couple months I let it run in the garage for a half an hour or so. Just wheel it out in the drive, turn the fuel back on and choke it, and she starts right up again. Nice little engines, and having to turn them for reverse is no big deal because of the centrifugal clutch on the prop.

Don

Chief RA · Jul 10, 2015

piedpiperIII: If you plan to use your boat in the sea you will love your 6hp for the weather and tides. I would not buy a new one if your 2 stroke runs well and sure wouldn't get a smaller one. Chief

Jacktar · Jul 10, 2015

I don't know, but PO gave me a busted motor and had to get boat across bayou to slip from yard, did not have time to buy or repair it. So pulled out my British Seagull Silver Century that was in corner of garage for over a decade, cleaned plug, fresh gas and away I went. Picture attached. Now have lovely 6 HP Tohatsu Sail pro with long shaft, but this worked when I needed it. The old motor is the source of the boats name. :dance:

T_Cat · Jul 10, 2015

I haven't ran the 4hp yet. Maiden Voyage is July 19th. I'll post lots of pictures!

CaptDon01 · Jul 10, 2015

LOVE the old Seagull's! Worst thing they ever did was put a recoil starter on them :cussing:

Is it just me, but when I smell a 2-stroke, it sure brings back great childhood memories of going fishing with my Grandfather, or the family going out for the afternoon in our little Chris-Craft kit boat Dad built.

Don

piedpiperIII · Jul 10, 2015

captdon, you are so right, growing up on lake Erie in NY we always had boats "not sail" and yes the smell of 2 stroke

CaptDon01 · Jul 10, 2015

piedpiperIII said:
captdon, you are so right, growing up on lake Erie in NY we always had boats "not sail" and yes the smell of 2 stroke

My childhood boating was on the St Clair River Delta and Lake St Clair north of Detroit.

Don

Gene Neill · Jul 11, 2015

Damm Yankees ...

CaptDon01 · Jul 11, 2015

Gene Neill said:
Damm Yankees ...

Oh get over it Gene......we whooped ya's fair and square! :dance:

Don

watercolors II · Jul 11, 2015

speed and maneuverability

My 4 hp will push the hull at 4.3 knots in calm water and 3.5 in some chop. When I want to get somewhere, running the motor say at about 1/3 throttle under sail in 10 knots of wind it will beat to windward at about 5 knots. When the wind is really blowing I can beat tighter and maybe a little higher with the motor running at 1/3.

So, when you need speed and maneuverability motor sail like the big boys!

piedpiperIII · Jul 11, 2015

Gene, I still love ya.

Gene Neill · Jul 11, 2015

Aw, shucks ... I love you too, man!!

MaryEllaRose · Jul 12, 2015

I love the smell of pre-mix in the morning! It smells like.... well you get the picture but there's something to be said about not having to fool with mixing oil and gas and the luxury of pressing a "Start" button...

Drinkmilk · Jul 15, 2015

My boat came with a grumpy little 2000 Johnson 6hp 2-stroke long shaft. Starts on the 4th pull and smells like... well, like a stink pot. Pushed us through 20+/- knot sustained headwind and 2' chop without complaining. Never questioned her pushing power.

Start button? On an outboard? It's usually my shoulder or nose when my kids wake me at ohgod:30 in the AM.

Chief RA · Jul 15, 2015

Drinkmilk: What kind of 2 stroke oil and mix ratio do you use? To much oil is usually what makes them smoke/stink and start hard. Do you use gas additive? Chief

Outboards

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