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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Pull Starting the Outboard

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/29/2005 : 01:51:31

Do you have pull start only? How hard is it to start your engine?
It seems most people have a 9.9hp. Do you rope start them? Just becasue there is a rope doesn't mean it can be started easily.

1977 SK/SR Dinette Hull #29
1979 ChrisCraft 251
1965 Chris Craft Cutalss

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 09:41:21

Dan,

I'm in the middle of getting acquainted with a new four stroke 9.8 hp motor and as yet not really familiar with it. It does start with the rope pull but not as easily as the push button ( DUH ).

The previous motor, a Johnson 9.9 hp two stroke with electric start and rope start was as easy to start with either method. Sometimes it was easier to restart by pulling the rope as opposed to leaning over to press the electric button.

If you are trying to save money by not getting the electric start I'd recommend not to. From my vantage point the extra money for the electric start is money well spent.

Val on Calista # 3936

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 09:53:26

I agree. The motor is not in a good position for rope starting, particularly with the stern pulpit in the way. The pull start mechanism is designed to be a straight pull back from the motor. On our Catalinas, the power head is below the top of the transom resulting in a vertical or near vertical pull. Continual pull starts will fray the pull rope, shortening it's life and possibly causing personal injuring if it breaks while pulling. Electric start is the only way to go.

Edited by - aeckhart on 10/29/2005 10:06:45

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 13:46:23

Pull starting my 8hp Mercury is quite easy, requires little effort, and for the most part, it starts on the first half pull. I have never had any problems concerning the pulling angle in relation to the power head and transom.

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 14:11:15

I'm with you Don.

My 1983 Honda B100L 9.9 4 stroke never misses a beat. Starts on the first pull every time. Electric start may be nice but I'd have to say it's not the only way to go.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 16:26:54

Gentleman, I didn't imply that your motor would be hard starting, not start, or take multiple pulls to start because of the sharp angle to the power head. I stand by my statement though, that continual pull starting from an upward angle will eventually fray the pull rope, posing a potential safety hazard.

My Evinrude Yachtwin has both electric and manual start. I can count the times on one hand that I've had to use the pull start in the past 16 years. The times I've had to use it involved close quarters drift situations when the battery was too low to start the motor. I was very glad to have the pull rope as back up.

Both is better than one option. Electric start is far more convenient.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 19:11:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Gentleman, I didn't imply that your motor would be hard starting, not start, or take multiple pulls to start because of the sharp angle to the power head.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Al,

My response was more directed to the original questions (Do you have pull start? How hard is it to start your engine?) asked in the topic and I was simply stating that I didn't have any problems with the pull angle.

Edited by - dlucier on 10/29/2005 19:26:10

SailFisher
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 19:28:21

My boat has a Johnson Sailmaster 8.0 HP. It does not have an electric start, pull only. The angle of pull is strait and not a problem. If pulling is a potential safety issue, then you might be doing something wrong. Yes I had to change the pull cord, but with proper inspection I caught this before it was a problem. I also change my spark plugs. There is a very big advantage to not having an electric start. I do not need a starting battery and therefore do not need a separate battery bank nor a battery switch. I can not run into trouble by running down the house battery and not being able to start the engine, or find it awkward or difficult to pull start in a time of dire need. My engine pull starts on 1 or 2 pulls every time. I have two group 27 batteries dedicated solely to the house system, and the engine has a small alternator. I work on boats everyday and find that we, small sailboat owners, have the OPTION of surviving without an electric start and separate battery system (dingies excluded). This is all my personnel opinion and if someone likes more convenient and more complicated systems, then I'm not one to complain. I still think that K.I.S.S. is better, and with space and weight a concern on small boats, both my batteries are for tools and toys, not for ten seconds of convenience.

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2005 : 12:00:59

Mine is a Nissan 6 - pull only. It starts on the first pull everytime. Things do get in the way so I angle it slightly so that my arm pulls through the large opening in the pulpit. I would be interested in an electric start only because there's no way my wife can do it, but other than that it hasn't been a problem.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2005 : 13:27:31

I had to chalk one very nice Pulsar solar watch to the pull rope. My hand hit the stern pulpit at just right angle to shatter the face. I lost another cheapie watch to the pull starter as well when the band broke.

I now have electric start and love it. I even bought a new watch.

Tom.

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Aldo
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2005 : 13:23:46

Sailfisher and others: To electric start a motor, do I need to have a separate starting battery, or could a house battery (like a size 27) or two, do the job? I currently sail a C-22, and am looking at C-25 soon, and this information would be useful to me. The motor on the boat that I am looking at is a Suzuki 9.9 four stroke. Also, is this an OK motor for use on a C-25? We know that the Nissans are lighter, but I would like to read some comments on the Suzuki.

We have been shopping for a C-25 for a long time, and are looking for "just the right one", but this is starting to drag out. I would like some comments about this issue too. How long did you look for your C-25 before you found the one that you bought? Or, am I going about this wrong, do you just have to buy one and make it the way that you want it? We have seen advertisements where some C-25 sailors loaded their boats, and made their selling price outrageously too high, especially if they put things onto the boat that had little or no value to me and my family.

Thanks, Aldo

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2005 : 14:12:13

NO! You do not need a starting battery for an outboard. KISS

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2005 : 14:08:11

Aldo

In 1986 we started looking for a C25 to replace our C22, just like you. We spent a year finding the right one. We saw some real dogs, and finally, by serendipity, we came across an ad in a local Friday newspaper that I just happened to look at because someone had left it on a seat on the bus! Turned out to be the right one. Don't give up hope. We also spent a year finding our C34 eight years ago. You'll just "know" when it's the right one. Prices can always be negotiated.

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Tanglefoot
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2005 : 23:28:01

I have just recently traded a Mercury 4hp for a Chrysler 7.5 hp. I know it does have an alternator switch allowing you to charge the battery while under power. How do you know of the electric start option, if your motor has it? If not can one be converted?

Thanks

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 10:47:56

This has become a big thread as I have found most discussions of auxiliary power. I have a mid 80's vintage Honda 9.9 4 stroke. My crew Gracie who is now 11 starts it with ease while I tend the anchor which with 30' of chain is almost too much for me to lift.

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