Bummer, motor broke down....

Gabbie · 09-08-2011, 08:28 AM

Looks like it is going to cost a good bit to have it fixed so we may not be doing any boating for a while. At least it didn't leave us stranded out in the water and have to be towed in! We never got it to start at the docks. So out it went and back home for us.

WillaMarie · 09-09-2011, 08:28 AM

Don't ya hate that when it happens. We've been there done that ourselves so I can understand the 'bummer' feeling all to well. Just sit tight and maybe something will come along and you'll be able to get it fixed and be back out on the water soon.

briansnat · 10-05-2011, 06:48 AM

I hear ya. My dad gave me an outboard for my boat 2 years ago. It had no more than 10 hours on it, even though it was nearly 20 years old.

This year I finally decided to use it. I took the boating safety course and obtained my boat license (a requirement in NJ if you have any power boat, including electric), then I eagerly mounted the motor on the transom and set out for a local lake. Pulled the cord and nothing. After a half hour I gave up and took the motor to a repair shop.

The owner told me that even though the motor was barely used, by sitting unused for so long many of the gaskets and seals dry out and the carb can get gunked up with oil. He got it back in running order for $200, fairly reasonable.

I took it out again on the local lake and was disappointed by the speed. I thought maybe I was asking too much out of a 9.9 HP motor, but thought it should be much faster. A few weeks later I took it out on the bay and the boat was flying. I don't know what happened. I did nothing to it but I was hitting 18mph. I was happy as a clam and went out several miles from the ramp to do some crabbing

Then just a few days later I took it out on a local lake and it was slow again, then it just stopped. Dead as a doornail again.

Took it back to the repair shop and the guy called me back and said my head gasket had blown. I'm glad it didn't happen on the bay when I was 4 miles from the ramp. That would have been one heck of a paddle back. I was totally bummed out because he said he couldn't find a replacement head gasket, they were no longer available for my motor.

Through the magic of Google I was able to find a replacement gasket and advised the shop owner where to find one. Cost me another $175, but he fixed it.

I'm taking the motor out today to test it. If something else goes wrong that's it. I can't afford to keep sinking money into the motor. I'm already in for almost $400. Heck I could pick up a used one in good condition for $600 - $800 (which I don't happen to have laying around).

wvbreamfisherman · 10-05-2011, 09:32 AM

My experience with outboards is pretty much limited to the ones you pull to start. Most of my memories are not fond ones. I remember one time in particular in a rental boat on the Ohio river, that the we wasted so much time trying to get it stasrted that our friends in the other boat got worried and came back for us. They towed us out to where we fished and we had a decent day although we missed half of it.

I could have rowed the boat much faster and saved a lot of time. I realize that today's motors are much better (electronic ignition, 4-cycle, and fuel injection) and much pricier, but I still have to admit to being leery of them.

Although it limits my range, I think I'll stick with my canoe and kayak most of the time.

The two happiest days in a boat owner's life: the day he buys it...and the day he sells it!

ppine · 11-17-2011, 03:40 PM

OId outboards are tempermental. My Dad just gave me the family heirloom, a 1929 Johsnon 1 1/2 hp ob. It has a spark advance and a magneto. It is a little tough to start but runs good. Modern 2 stroke engines require some tlc. At the end of the day, disconect the fuel line and run the motor dry to prevent varnish build up in the carb. They need impellers, frequent spark plugs, fluid changes etc. If they idle too much they carbon up and need cleaner and to be run hard.

The modern 4 stroke engines are dreamy. I have 115 hp Yamaha that I am in love with. It idles all day with a trolling plate with no problems, is quiet and always starts. It has a ton of power and runs clean. It is a big step up from the old ob.