tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12084454.post6410409948366233966..comments2023-09-22T07:59:01.569-04:00Comments on Dick and Libby's Tarwathie Cruising Log: Should We Own An Outboard Motor?Dick Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13258088586638718333noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12084454.post-72594446881579787742015-02-18T11:28:34.273-05:002015-02-18T11:28:34.273-05:00I don't know, I think he is over stressing th...I don't know, I think he is over stressing the carb / tank issues. A few yrs ago, I had to replace the carb in my Honda 2000 genset. It had gummed up. If you've ever seen one of these, it is literally a 1.5" cube block of aluminum that has been orificed and mangled by a computerized milling machine. <br /><br />Since I was having success running the (94 Johnson 40 hp) outboard dry, I started doing the same with the genset. For at least three years now, every time I need it, she runs. I don't "exercise" it monthly like folks recommend. I just run it dry, cover it and come back to it when I need it. And fwiw, I always put stabil in the gas suitable for long term storage, even if I am using it every week. Same for outboard.brigantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12209370917771947352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12084454.post-8047976214800250192015-02-18T10:13:25.178-05:002015-02-18T10:13:25.178-05:00Thanks for the helpful comments.
I always have ...Thanks for the helpful comments. <br /><br />I always have used ethonol-free gasoline, and I always used the fuel shutoff to stop the engine, but there were two things I learned at the seminar.<br /><br />1) As many as 1/3 of the stations selling ethonol-free gasoline really do have ethonol. The instructor does a test-tube test and found as much at 5% in supposedly ethonol free. He said that even 1-2% ehonol is almost as bad as 10%.<br /><br />2) Through the 90s, outboard carberators had straws that went to the bottom of the bowl, so if you run them dry it uses up all the fuel. Since then, all modern outboards have a straw that ends 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the bottom of the bowl. So you accomplish little by running it dry.<br /><br />Worse, to meet emmissions requirements they have extremely narrow orifices in the carberator, almost as narrow as a human hair. Those are extremely easy to block.<br /><br />My 23HP engine has an internal tank with gravity feed. There is no fuel nipple to disconnect, and I can not add an inline fuel filter.<br /><br />A possible solution would be to swap my 2012 Yamaha for a 1980 Johnson 2-stroke. But unless Libby can start the Johnson, it wouldn't work.<br /> Dick Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13258088586638718333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12084454.post-23816346993903694452015-02-18T10:00:19.387-05:002015-02-18T10:00:19.387-05:00Outboards are the spawn of the devil. I say that ...Outboards are the spawn of the devil. I say that while having one as my primary engine aboard my Cape Dory 25. Fortunately we have decent breezes around here and I only have to use the little monster to get on and off the dock.<br /><br />I'm really enjoying your site which I was fortunate enough to find through a link from the Westsail board.Neuse River Sailorhttp://neuseriversailors.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12084454.post-87135929884251074042015-02-17T16:03:23.566-05:002015-02-17T16:03:23.566-05:00I've got a runabout I use to shoot racing phot...I've got a runabout I use to shoot racing photos. Every time I use it, I disconnect the fuel at the engine and let it run dry before pulling it up on the trailer. In six years, I've never had the carb cleaned. It starts easy, every time. I'm sure you'd experience the same thing if you had an outboard and were able to do that. I realize that most of those smaller outboards have onboard tanks. Are there some made today with a petcock between the tank and carb? My old 2 hp seagull has that. <br /><br />btw, I stopped carrying the seagull on the big boat, because it leaked oil everywhere. So, I haven't had an outboard on the dinghy in 15 years.<br /><br />Bottom line is, rowing has probably kept you more fit and able to continue cruising. My question would be, whether I would continue to get appropriate exercise to substitute for the lost rowing time? If so, then hell yeah. An outboard that you can run the carb dry when you are done using it, would be ideal. I have a friend who has a Nissan 2 hp on his racing sailboat. I believe he has a petcock and runs it dry every use, too. <br /><br />Just be sure you use ethanol free gas. One time, I ran the boat for an hour with ethanol in the gas. The result of that was a $600 bill at the mechanic. I also stabilize the gas with Stabil Ethanol treatment, even though I'm buying "ethanol free" gas.<br /><br />cheers.brigantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12209370917771947352noreply@blogger.com