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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Johnson Sailmast Woes, Again!!

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/30/2005 : 16:51:24

Okay, this is the last time.

The wife, dog and I went out today for our Memorial Day cruise, and I couldn't keep the engine running.

I am so sick of this motor! I could only keep the engine running if I kept pushing the choke in and out as the engine started to die. The engine is a 1986 or 87 Johnson Sailmaster.

I've decided to get a new motor. I'm leaning towards the new Nissan/Tohatsu 4 stroke because of the light weight. Anyone have a good source?

Thanks ya'll!

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

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USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2005 : 20:50:29

Sounds like the same problem I had three summers ago. I had just gotten the boat, a 1985, and bought new fuel. The decal on the side of the engine says 100:1. Everyone else says 50:1. I had no idea what the PO used as a formula, so I opted for for 50:1. I got the same frustrating and embarassing results as you. I went through fresh tank of fuel, woter dryer and all that. I bought a 'Shop Manual', No luck.
It would start OK and run a little while, but as soon as I tried to power it up .... sputter, sputter dead. Start right up again, but thats not the way it should work.
I Finally found the right mechanic (the second place I took it for repair) who set the carb up to accomidate the proper fuel mixture. He told me to leave the mixture adjustment alone...He also installed a fuel filter.
I did leave it alone and the engine works great. It is reliable.
The Mixture control is that round knob on the from of the case. It has a 'ramp' icon around it. The shop manual takes some of the mystery out of this deal, but does not solve it all. The blend of gasoline to oil haas an impact on it's volatility. So you will have to fiddle with it to set it up to run correctly. As I said the shop manual take some of the mystery out of this process. The book is piublished by 'CLYMER' and should be available at any good book store such as Borders, Amazon, and must good boat dealers. It is called 'EVINRUDE/JOHNSON' covers 2 to 40 hp 1973 to 1990. Therefore you have to root through it for the 9.9, but the detail is there.
I suggest you give it a try ...It's all part of the adventure.

Edited by - on

wallymackinnon
Deckhand

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Canada
18 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2005 : 21:16:50

Your woes sound like mine last summer. I was so frustrated with my old Evinrude that I was ready to drop it into the drink! I finally gave in and bought a used Yamaha 9.9 electric start & high thrust. Wow, what a motor. This motor has a prop on it that is about double the size of most other props. It pushes (and reverses) the boat through the water like nobody's business. This push power has given me new confidence in sailing in rougher waters. My advice to you is get out the gold card and go for another motor. Also, be sure to get the extra long shaft version. Life and sailing season are too short for this kind of frustration.

Best of luck;

Wally MacKinnon
London, ON Canada
Catalina 250 - Navasana

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben
 Okay, this is the last time.

The wife, dog and I went out today for our Memorial Day cruise, and I couldn't keep the engine running.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 08:15:57

We picked up our tohatsu from these guys.... I am pretty sure they only hit us up for $100 shipping.
http://www.lebombomarine.com/outboards.htm

dw

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 08:38:04

Try to buy your motor locally. The high price of diesel is forcing the trucking companies to put outrageous fuel surcharges on even small shipments - I had to pay $160 to have my Yamaha T8 shipped only 600 miles. I didn't want to pay that much shipping, but they had a 25" XLS (extra long shaft) in stock in Portland, and the local Yamaha shop said it would take three to four months for tham to order one, so I went with the Portland shop and paid the shipping.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 08:58:58

Hi Ben,

Last year my problems involved a cross contamination of fuels when the local stations switched from MTBE oxigenators to ethanol. I had half a tank of the former and then added the latter and BAMMMMMM. Changing the fuel over to the newer fuel straightened that problem out.

Your problem sounds like one I had several years ago I could get myself back by using the fuel line primer bulb as a fuel pump until such time as I rebuilt the fuel pump and all was well once again.

I also had the motor companies lined up to replace the old Johnson '93 with a new one but time was on my side one more time.

Wish you the best in what ever you decide to do.

Val on Calista # 3936

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5933 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 10:02:15

Ben, before you give up on the old motor, check your fuel lines and bulb. See if the hose is cracking. Look for signs of wetness at points where the hose is clamped to the connectors. The wetness indicates fuel leakage. Check the clamps to see if they're tight. The factory clamps on fuel lines are crimped on, and I like to replace them with clamps that can be tightened with a screw. I've had the very same symptoms with my old Merc. 7.5, and it was always due to a small crack in the fuel line. As a quick fix, I cut off a couple of inches of the hose at each connection and put it back together, and it worked until I got a new hose.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 10:12:43

Thanks ya'll for your advise and input. I'll check all those things on the motor. This may, however, be one of those things that the little woman (and myself a little bit) requires if she's going to continue to go sailing with me. If she's not having fun, she's not going. I'll try it all out though.

I did, however, talk to a Tohatsu dealer, and he said he has the Nissan version, which according to him is exactly identical except for decals. Does anyone know if this is true?

Edited by - on

roberoo
Navigator

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USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2005 : 00:47:27

Yes NissaTohatsu exactly the same. I bought a Nissan from SailNet last year 9.8 4 stroke XL Shaft w/Electric start. Paid 1925.00 delivered to my door in NY. I have been real happy with this motor.

Super quiest and pushes her along at hull speed easily at 2/3 throttle.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 15:27:42

Thanks Bob. I did order the Nissan version of the 25" shaft motor. Shipped via freight supposedly on Friday, so I'm hoping I get it soon.

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