Thoughts - Honda B100 on 26c

[chapster5]

I have an opportunity to replace my 2 stroke with this Honda 4 stroke and just wanted to get others thoughts.
- Should I be concerned about the extra weight on the transom ??
- Fuel consumption wise is it really worth it ??

Again just looking for thoughts from others.

thanks, Chapster5

 

[Justin_NSA]

9.9 HP is fine on the 26C. I'd just be sure the shaft is long enough. Mine is a Merc 2-stroke. It's lighter than the 4-stroke but some lakes don't allow 2-strokes so you may be ahead of the game.
Any other features? Electric start? Generator? Mine is bare bones. The wife hates it.

 

[patrickfarley]

Just replaced my old 2 stroke outboard with a new to me old Honda 7.5 hp B75 and I love it. It sips gas and is so quiet I can run it and listen to the radio. I head into the wind to raise the sails and it just sits back there and quietly keeps me moving into the wind.
It works better than my old 10hp. It has a long shaft and the prop grabs the water in forward and reverse. I have much better control with this motor.
It is a little heavy but the motor mount seems to hold it just fine.

 

[chapster5]

It does have a generator ( but that part needs a little work, says its only putting out 6 v not 12 ). It is a longshaft and did come off a sailboat so that part should be good. Again I am more concerned about the extra weight.

For what I can get it for I am pretty sure I can sell my 2 stroke for same price , so $ wise would be a wash.

thanks, Chapster5

 

[patrickfarley]

My B75 has a "generator" on it also. It only puts out about 6v until I go to higher RPMs, then it goes up over 12v.
I have not experimented with it while cruising. I don't have the Honda plug.
I do have solar panels and I don't plan to do any long cruising any time soon. If anyone has any experience with the power generation of these outboards I would love to hear it.

 

[walt]

When open circuit (i.e., the generator wires are not hooked to a battery, you are just measuring them), those generators put out voltage pulses and even if the peak of the voltage pulse is over 12 volts, when you test it with a simple DC volt meter, the meter doesn’t see the peak, only some sort of average. So even if the meter shows 6 volts, you still can have peak voltage pulses higher than 12 volts and charging the battery. The DVM does some sort of averaging so reads a much lower voltage. Try the same test with a scope..

However.. I think those old Honda's were pretty susceptible to having the rectifier blown by disconnecting the outboard charge wires from the battery while the outboard is running. I had a 1990 Honda BF8 and when I bought it, it had the rectifier blown. No complaining about the PO in my case (who put a great traveler on the boat) but there was a switch between the battery and the outboard charger on the boat. The switch would have been OK if you ONLY change the switch with the outboard NOT running but open the switch while the outboard is running - ZAP.. blown rectifier.

I sold that Honda BF8 but it was still reliable and had a lot of miles on it.

For the OP, if you are considering fixing the charging circuit, you might check what a new rectifier costs and if you do fix it, never disconnect the battery while the outboard is running. I had fixed the rectifier on mine but the charging circuit on the 2010 Nissan 9.8 that I replaced it with works way better so Im not sure I would fix it again if I still had the old Honda.

 

[patrickfarley]

When open circuit (i.e., the generator wires are not hooked to a battery, you are just measuring them), those generators put out voltage pulses and even if the peak of the voltage pulse is over 12 volts, when you test it with a simple DC volt meter, the meter doesn’t see the peak, only some sort of average. So even if the meter shows 6 volts, you still can have peak voltage pulses higher than 12 volts and charging the battery. The DVM does some sort of averaging so reads a much lower voltage. Try the same test with a scope..

However.. I think those old Honda's were pretty susceptible to having the rectifier blown by disconnecting the outboard charge wires from the battery while the outboard is running. I had a 1990 Honda BF8 and when I bought it, it had the rectifier blown. No complaining about the PO in my case (who put a great traveler on the boat) but there was a switch between the battery and the outboard charger on the boat. The switch would have been OK if you ONLY change the switch with the outboard NOT running but open the switch while the outboard is running - ZAP.. blown rectifier.

I sold that Honda BF8 but it was still reliable and had a lot of miles on it.

For the OP, if you are considering fixing the charging circuit, you might check what a new rectifier costs and if you do fix it, never disconnect the battery while the outboard is running. I had fixed the rectifier on mine but the charging circuit on the 2010 Nissan 9.8 that I replaced it with works way better so Im not sure I would fix it again if I still had the old Honda.

Good to know. I will be careful with the circuit as I try out the charging system. Thanks for the information.

 

[StinkBug]

The fuel consumption will likely be MUCH less with the Honda than any 2 stroke. I have a BF75 which is nearly the same motor and it uses next to nothing. It's also super smooth and quiet. I just recently got the charging cord, but haven't used it enough to be able to say how well it works.

 

[anthony]

I also have a Honda,8hp. It came with a generator, I have had it connected to the battery and it keeps the battery topped up all summer, even testing it after the sailing season is done it still reads 12+ volts. As for fuel usage it is really frugal but the biggest thing about it is it is soooooooooooooo quiet.
Anthony

 

[Doc_holiday]

I don't know much about engines. I still have a 97 mercury 2 stroke and as long as I do routine service and run it dry on fuel (I always pull the fuel line off and let it run out of gas). It does fine.

What I do think is as important, is finding a motor that is going to stay deep enough in the water. I want to say mine is the EL which is the extra long shaft and frankly it's not as deep as it should be on my 26s.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Again I am more concerned about the extra weight.

I don't think your question was ever truly answered other than to say other owners have used 4-stroke engines on the 26C's without any problems with the transom. I don't clamp my Merc directly to the fiberglass, I have a 1X block of wood to spread the pressure points out and protect the 'glas.
I have an AGM battery so I'm not interested in using an engine charging system and risk damage to it.

 

[Chief RA]

Justin: why is an AGM a problem with using the charging system?
Chapster5: I had a 10hp Honda on my Clipper Marine 26 and it didn't seem to be a weight problem. I would put extra reinforcement on the transom as I did with my Catalina 250 outboard recently. I used a white plastic 1/2" bread board on the back and a stainless piece on the front. I also bolted the sucker on plus 2 stainless steel cables! It a new Tohatsu 9.8hp,25" shaft, electric start. Chief

 

[Justin_NSA]

"AGM batteries are sensitive to overcharging. These batteries can be charged to 2.40V/cell (and higher) without problem; however, the float charge should be reduced to between 2.25 and 2.30V/cell (summer temperatures may require lower voltages). Automotive charging systems for flooded lead acid often have a fixed float voltage setting of 14.40V (2.40V/cell), and a direct replacement with a sealed unit could spell trouble by exposing the battery to undue overcharge on a long drive."

Basically, you want a smart charger with AGM batteries so that you don't damage them. I have a Guest smart charger wired to the battery under the galley. It works off of shore power.