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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Motor died!

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FrankV
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/07/2005 : 16:33:04

Our 1980 9.9 Johnson died. It started making an odd, bell like ringing, folowed by a short spell of clunking, it quit and billowed white smoke. Now it will not start. Seems to have compression.
I am trying to buy a new motor, and all of the new, cool Tohatsu's are out of stock, with a one month waiting period!
We are on an small inland lake.
- Can we get by with a 6 HP motor? Will it manuever the boat?
- Is there anywhere to get a long shat engine used?
- Anyone have any alternative locations to buy motors? I have been trying onlineoutboards and they are out of product...

Frank Vaughan
250 WK/SR

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2005 : 20:15:11

I'm told that a five HP engine will push the C25 to hull speed, though I usually see 9.9 HP on them. You could buy the 5 HP anyway and it could later be used on a dinghy (if you have one), or as a spare, if you upgrade to 9.9 HP when they're available. I've got a 1987 Evinrude 9.9 Yachtwin 2 stroke I'd love to get rid of (tired of mixing oil 'n gas), but the Admiral won't let us upgrade to a 9.9 HP 4 stroke until next year!

Bob

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 06:54:30

I have a 6 hp Nissan four stroke on my c250. It will push the boat at hull speed, but that is not the only indicator you need to look at. While reversing to get out of a dock into the wind, you will have very slow control over the boat with a 6 hp. Overcoming the momentum after backing out, I had a little trouble waiting for the boat to stop and build up forward speed. If you are use to it and know what to look for, it is not a big problem, but I would love to move up to a 9.9 on the transom for more control and power.

I see a problem with the 6 hp on the great lakes or ocean especially if major weather kicks up. To overcome some of the shortcomings I've just talked about, I sometimes "steer" the motor along with the rudder to get faster turning ability. I need to look into connecting the motor to the rudder as some of the earlier threads here suggest.

Edited by - on

RSHOOTER
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 08:14:34

I have a 1999 Yamaha 9.9 4 Stroke High Thrust Long Shaft I am getting ready to sell Will be on vacation for a week but will check Forum when I get back. The high thrust is awesome. We are in Ohio. I will probably sell it for $750.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 08:22:16

My 1987 9.9 LS elec Mercury died, diagnosed as failure of the flywheel magnets after trying a new switchbox and then a new trigger. It was pretty costly and took over two weeks to find all that out! So, like you, I have been searching all over.

Tried Onlineoutboards.com, as recommended by Hopper, Peet, & Walkup, only to find out that every configuration from 6 to 9.9hp, manual or electric is out of stock till end of August. There are 3 dealers within 50 miles who had 8-9.9 engines, but not in my config or budget. Honda's are way pricy! There were a few long shafts on ebay motors and maybe you will find what you want there. One seller in Texas would not ship it and I don't think it sold. I saw only one new engine, but it was a 1999 model at too high a "reserve" and didn't sell.

I finally found a 9.8 Nissan LS ropestart at Porta-Bote.com (phone# 800-227-8882) and placed an order, ONLY after verifying by phone that it was in stock and shipped next day. I'm anxiously waiting. Cost $1,670, free shipping, no tax. They said I can install an alternator myself for about $120 or get electric start/alternator package later for $500.

This is not an endorsement until I see it!
Meanwhile, I'm missing some ideal sailing weather.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 10:06:48

FrankV:

This is my 3rd year using a 6hp Tohatsu and it works great for Lake Norman. I'd agree with Turk that you need to manuver slowly around the docks due to the smaller prop size (won't stop you as quickly). But, in my opinion, that disadvantage is more than made up for in it's light weight. At around 60 lbs, You can pull it off at the end of the season by yourself without risking back injuries! The lighter weight will also make a significant improvement in the sailing performance of your boat. With regards to motoring against a head wind, I haven't noticed a big decrease in peformance. I'll typically lose about 1 knot with 25-30 knots on my nose. I bought mine at BoatersWorld.com, but I don't know what their inventory is now.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 21:49:43

We used to have an old xl shaft 9.9 johnson (1979). We were lucky to unload it on ebay 2 years ago and got a decent buck for it. Our new motor is an 8 tohatsu - also a two stroke and we've had great success with it. It had the alternator and electric start package. We picked it up at Lebombo marine.com for about 1300. It shipped within a week or so for $100 S&H.

A 6hp is going to handle the basics for you. In and out of the harbor/marina and emergencies but your not going to beat against the waves very well.

http://www.lebombomarine.com/

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seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2005 : 09:02:50

What's up with these prices discrepancies anyway?

My marina wants $3300 for a Honda 9.9 four stroke, 25" shaft, alternator, elec start. Then tells me I should have a 'four stroke' (beefier?) mount, kicking the total up another $300 or so. The motor weighs about 115.

The Nissan 9.8 with similar specs is around $1900-2400 from most any source AND weighs about 85 pounds in that config!

I don't see why they should be so far apart in price.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2005 : 10:22:58

You probably do need a four stroke mount, but $ 300 is high. The Garelick and Garhauer mounts are less than that from West Marine and Catalina Direct. $ 3300 definitely sounds high for the outboard, even for a Honda. Shop around.

Brooke

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2005 : 15:31:34

I agree with Brooke... shop around. IMHO, $3300 sounds WAY high for the Honda.
Frankly, I'd go with the Nissan if I was buying a new outboard motor today.

I think I paid about $180 for my heavy duty Garhauer mount.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2005 : 21:00:37

"the Hondas are way pricy" 
Local Honda 9.9 long shaft with elec start price is about $3,295-3,350 plus 8.25%tax. Similar Yamaha's are $400 less (if you can find 'em).
I think the online's are less because of marketing advantage. They don't have to spend a lot of time with the customer and probably don't even have to warehouse their stock. They don't "dealer prep" them. Lower overhead + volume = lower prices. The downside for the consumer is where to turn if a problem arises? Hope that doesn't happen to me or you.

Edited by - DanM on 07/09/2005 21:01:28

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2005 : 08:33:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by seastream
 What's up with these prices discrepancies anyway?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Brand name marketing. I saw the same thing when I compared the Tohatsus, Nissans and Mercurys. And they are all the EXACT same motor!

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2005 : 08:51:39

Arlyns soft link works!
We also have to drop the keel a bit in order to maintain any real steerage at slow (dock entering) speeds, our C250WB does not want to turn under forward power slow speed, but the soft link made a huge difference.

Our Tohatsu 9.7 4stroke is mounted directly on the port side of the transom, takes a huge effort to raise it and the release lever is under on the stbd side of the engine, so lowering it is pretty awkward too. Would it make much difference using an engine mount and would that affect the steering (doesn't it move the engine back some from the transom?)

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mwalkup
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2005 : 22:44:07

Last winter when I was in the market for a new outboard, I took a trip to my local Honda dealer. I thought it odd he never really tried very hard to impress me with the company or their product.

After I told him I had considered a Tohatsu and there seemed to be quit a difference in price for what I thought was a fairly similar motor. He confessed he thought Honda had done a poor job of even attempting to stay competitive in the marketplace.
He went on to say that when Honda entered the outboard arena they didn't have all that much competition, and capitalizing on their strong name, priced their motors on the high side.
As Nissan, Yamaha, Tohatsu and the others started to push aggressivly, with their eye on price point value, capturing more market share in the process. Honda didn't and still hasn't responded.

I'm pretty sure Honda has an excellent motor for our needs. It certainly is hansome looking on the outside, but the wide discrepancy in price in my opinon makes it a motor for those that want a hot brand name with no real regard for price.

I wanted a good value at a fair price, so after alot of reading on this very site I bought the Tohatsu 9.8 long shaft, elect. start.
So far so good and I like it alot.
Mike
83 t/r f/k

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2005 : 14:13:20

I would never buy a Honda outboard. They are big, heavy, and based on a small sample of friends, not reliable. On the other hand, I have owned three Honda motorcycles and a Honda Accord and I would highly recommend Honda motorcycles and cars. But I wouldn't buy a Honda outboard. I love my Nissan!

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