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The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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Greetings sailors! Last year at end of season I bought a Honda 8 to replace a 1986 Evinrude 9. Used it once last year. Upon getting out again yesterday I recalled that at a low rpm (not the lowest) there is a very loud rattling that seems to come from the tiller. Has anyone else noticed this, if so what have you done about it?
My 9.9 did that occasionally. Just above idle but only at a certain RPM so it wasn't all the time. Usually I just changed the engine speed slightly. I think it was the throttle grip that rattled. On mine the throttle grip was held on with one bolt at the tip. You could remove the grip and grease the tiller under the grip and see if that helps.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
(Edit - I just re-read the post, this is a new engine?) My Honda 8 does that too. You could check the tiller pivot bolt and tighten it up.
But there may be a slightly more sinister problem: the long shaft that goes from the crank shaft at the engine head to the bottom unit has several bearings and a balance weight to counteract for a slight imbalance. That counterbalance was apparently not set up correctly at the factory.
This will cause any loose parts to vibrate sympathetically, hence, the tiller rattle.
The shaft rides in a set of bearings.
What can happen is if the shaft runs unbalanced for some period of time, that could begin to wear on the bearings.
As the bearings wear, the imbalance will increase.
You might be able to fix the symptom by lining the inside of the grip with foam tape, but if the motor is still under warranty, check to see whether there’s a factory-authorized service facility in your area. They might be able to correct it.
Or you could adjust engine speed ...
Bruce Ross Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032 Port Captain — Milford, CT
Yes, a new outboard. Yes, I can slightly alter the speed to get rid of it. I found that by slightly pressing the tiller grip down onto the pulpit rail I can stop it - so pretty sure it's the tiller. Voyager, your suggestion makes sense that some part in the tiller is picking up the general vibration. I do have an authorized service facility nearby, where I bought it, but I'd like to see what I can do first. This is no lightweight puppy to be taking off and hauling around. Maybe the marina right across from me is a Honda facility.
I think I remember a vibration like that--the motor Bruce now owns... I probably chalked it up to a harmonic based on the substantial length and weight of the tiller handle--likely something that could be changed to appear at a different RPM, but probably not totally eliminated, especially with a 2-cylinder 4-stroke motor. (A V-6 Honda like mine is smoother. )
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I agree with Dave -- when I was young and had powerboats (1960's-70's), all with two stroke engines and all wood, lapstrake construction, when going at certain low RPM's (different for each of the four boats and two outboards I owned over the time period) the entire boat would vibrate/rattle. I was told then that it was a harmonic vibration and if I changed the throttle just slightly it would go away, which it did. Decades later with four stroke engines I get a similar effect with my Tohatsu on Limerick as well as very occasionally with my 115 Yamaha on my Robalo center console. I suppose, theoretically, if you always ran the engine at that vibrating RPM the screws in the engine mount clamp could begin to loosen, but in reality just change RPM slightly and everything smooths out.
Peter Bigelow C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick Rowayton, Ct Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
I've got the M12 inboard diesel. When that's running, I get all kinds of sympathetic (or simply pathetic) rattles and vibrations. Like others, a change in engine speed gets rid of it.
"Lady E" 1986 Catalina 25: Fin Keel, Standard Rig, Inboard M12 Diesel, Sail No. 5339 Sailing out of Norwalk Cove Marina, Connecticut
I've got the M12 inboard diesel. When that's running, I get all kinds of sympathetic (or simply pathetic) rattles and vibrations. Like others, a change in engine speed gets rid of it.
I've been on friends' boats with inboards (not C25s). At certain RPMs, the entire boat vibrates unpleasantly.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.