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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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sigh... time for a new outboard (think theft)

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kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/08/2004 : 19:46:11

Well, seems the local storage yard ain't quite as secure as one would hope. Yup, got the (six month old) Honda 9hp, tank, and (bolted in) filter. Hey, they at least left the solar panel there and didn't kick in the door! And keeping that Honda running at idle was a real pain, even with the filter.

Yeah, had a padlock on the toggles, and a big cable lock on the outboard. Seems they had time enough to work through all that.

Seems folks 'round here like the Tohatsu. It's also light, so it'll be easier to take off when stored. I've seen online prices around $1900 for the 25" electric start. I'd welcome recommendations on dealers - online or not - who have good prices and service.

Even though I'll probably take the motor off when stored, are there any good ways to make a motor so hard to steal the pukes are likely to go elsewhere? Also - any good ideas on removing the outboard when on the trailer without breaking my back? (I've got a wing keel).

Thanks -

Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2004 : 19:56:44

I found it easier to stern in to the slip and take the motor off there. Then dolly it to the truck. Also made a wooden bracket of 1 X 3s to carry it in the truck...looked like this /--- It was just
big enough to keep the front of the motor clear of the ground when attached.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2004 : 21:19:35

If someone really wants your motor, there's not much you can do other than keep your insurance up to date. Maybe find a different yard? $1900 sounds like a very good price for the Tohatsu. They're tougher motors so you won't have to baby it like the Honda.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2004 : 21:57:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by matsche
 ...the Tohatsu. They're tougher motors so you won't have to baby it like the Honda.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hmmm... Yet to be determined. Most Hondas I know of are doing fine--we hear more about more Honda problems because there are more Hondas and they've been around longer than the other 4-strokes. I know of at least as many Yamaha 4-stroke problems as Honda, and just about all of them for both brands have been due to bad fuel. 4-stroke carbs are more subject to fouling. If the Tohatsu turns out to be better, great! Maybe I'll switch in 15 years or so...

On theft, sometimes the harder you make it to take something, the more damage is done to take it. I know of one boat where the ouboard bracket was busted off the transom and the safety and battery cables were cut. I wouldn't leave an attractive motor out in a storage yard where people are commonly doing various kinds of "work" (like removing locked motors). But hey, if you really want a new Tohatsu....

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/08/2004 22:08:17

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 09:41:20

Dave:

First of all, no disrespect intended to the Honda owners. They are fine motors with an excellent reputation. If I already had a Honda, I'm sure I'd be happy with it for years to come.

However, if I were shopping for a new outboard, then I'd have to at least pay attention to the numerous post that seem to revolve around problems with the Honda's fuel system. There are plenty on this forum, and many more on the IBoats outbord forum as well. When I did my research I found significantly more complaints about the Honda fuel system than any other popular brand. And it's not just the number of post, but the content of the post's themselves. There seems to me from reading the post, that there's a very distinct nod to Nissans as more reliable.

The Nissan/Tohatsus are not as new as you might think. They've been popular among commercial fishermen for some time and have a great reputation with mechanics. They only started targeting the recreational market in recent years.

Having said all that, I'm not claiming they're the perfect motor, but from my experience, I don't use fuel additives, I never close my air vent and I don't use a in-line fuel filter (Nissan recommends against it). I do make sure I have fresh gasoline by pouring the excess into my car every 3 months. So far, knock on wood, no problems.

IMHO, a tougher motor.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 14:06:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by matsche
 The Nissan/Tohatsus are not as new as you might think. They've been popular among commercial fishermen for some time and have a great reputation with mechanics. They only started targeting the recreational market in recent years.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think you're talking about 2-strokes... The motor under discussion was brand new last year. Nissan/Tohatsu made an earlier 4-stroke that Mercury also sold--considerably bigger and heavier than even the Honda or Yamaha, and the longest shaft was 20". I don't know how much the new one has in common with the old one mechanically, but at almost 50 lbs or 40% lighter, I'd have to suspect not much.

I hope they're great! But I wouldn't say it's been proven yet.

BTW, the local Yamaha mechanic practically lives at our town boat club, dealing mostly with fuel system problems. We have way fewer Hondas and just a couple of old Nissans, so I can't draw any conclusions there...

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 14:22:13

BTW... A customer of my Honda outboard dealer poured his outboard gas into his car, and about 4 days later it needed about $900 of repairs to the injectors. But he preserved maybe $9 worth of gas--I guess you could call that a 1% discount on the repair bill.

You could also conclude that gas is still pretty cheap!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/09/2004 14:23:23

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 14:55:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 BTW... A customer of my Honda outboard dealer poured his outboard gas into his car, and about 4 days later it needed about $900 of repairs to the injectors.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Jeez! Hadn't heard that one before! Guess I'll start empting the excess gas into my lawn mower instead. It'll drink anything. It's a Honda BTW!

I realize that the model in question has only been out a year. I was really speaking about Nissan's in general. Mine is a 4 stroke 6hp, so it's not that same model either.

I offer no proof, only my questionable opinion formed from dubious sources!

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 17:49:15

KBQ-Tough luck on the motor disappearing. Mine's coming off soon for the winter. I've got a Honda 9.9 but have not experienced the fuel issues reported by others.

At Ease: Did you just muscle the motor onto the dock or use the boom as a crane to swing it over?

Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 19:55:29

The boat is going into a new yard tonight, with better security. Moved our travel trailer last night.

How well does using the boom as a crane work? Maybe that, along with buying an outboard dolly, could be a good answer. Also - I've seen "locks" that go over the toggles - sorta look like 'c' channels with padlocks. How effective are they?

And yeah, I know, if someone *really* wants something...

Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 21:21:42

The boom seems a little short for lifting or lowering the outboard--I noodled on ways to rig it, propped on the stern rail, etc., but couldn't figure out the right configuration. At the marina where I store the boat, I get a guy with a forklift and pallet to lift me up so the pallet is against the skeg. I unclamp the engine, he lifts a little more, I tilt the motor back a few inches, and he lowers me and the motor to the ground (a long way down with a fin keel on an 18" high support) and drives the motor over to my vehicle. I tip him enough for a couple of six-packs, and everybody's happy!

Oh, and a catboat stored in front of mine has a brand new Yamaha on it with the locked steel clamp cover. Looks like he's leaving it there... I'll let you know how it comes out. (...or how it came off!)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/09/2004 21:26:45

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 06:53:10

My new Nissan 9.9 extra long stroke worked great this past summer! Of course it is only a two stroke

and it is fairly easy to hang and remove while the boat is in the water - it only weighs 68 pounds.

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 10:49:25

KBQ: If you get a Honda, the "over the toggle" bar clamps won't fit. I ran a short length of coated aircraft cable with loops in each end through them & put on a stout hardened shackle lock. It's not thief proof, but it will slow them down a bit. It also keeps the clamps from working loose.

I can't comment on the other engines.

Good luck in your new yard.

Edited by - Jeff McK on 11/10/2004 10:53:28

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 11:31:19

Hi all,

All this talk about securing an outboard to a transom and trying to outfox thieves reminds me of a fellow with a humumgous outboard bolted to his transom, wrapped with chains and locks and covered with tarps...he had every reason to believe his brandnew motor was safe but he overlooked one point, one should never overlook the dedication theives have to their calling. That more than adequately secured outboard was robbed by chainsawing the the transom, motor and all from the boat resulting in the boat also sinking. Best not to be extravagant or obvious in your attempts to secure your property lest you tempt a thieves abilities. And, yes be insured.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 12:02:04

I think that the best theft deterrent is to to put a 'custom' paint job on your engine... complete with boat name. It would make it a highly undesirable target for theft as it would stick out like a sore thumb on another boat and equally hard to fence (sell).

Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2004 : 14:11:21

ClamBeach - now that idea makes sense! (as long as you don't just paint the engine cover).

Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk

Edited by - on

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