Outboard Question

[Scott Dunsworth]

I have ran across an 1982 4.5hp Evinrude outboard that is supposed to be in very good, used little condition for $150. I haven't seen it yet. Does anyone know if this motor would have a electronic ignition system or not?

The owner doesnt know.

He is measuring the shaft and is to let me know tomorrow if its a long shaft. If it is I am going to buy it for my Belhaven.

Scott

[Brent]

For that price I wouldnt worry about long or short shaft. If it is short put it on a variable height mount that raises up.

[Scott Dunsworth]

It was a short shaft Johnson. The paint was still on the prop. It has a fair amount of scratchs , but overall looks real good. So I bought it. A long shaft kit is still available for $245 so that makes it come in at $395. I priced a new 4hp at $1250.

So now if a good used trailer will turn up I wont have to buy a new one at $950. The only other major purchase I will have to make is the sails. And then she will nickle and dime me to death before its all done.

I have been watching ebay for outboard brackets. Do any of you have preferences of the different types? They sell kind of high in the marine catologes but a lot of them are going for around $50 on ebay.

Scott

[Brent]

My personal preference is for the type that has a spring assist to help raising the motor and a large grap bar parallel to the transom. I think these might be on the higher end of the price range. My buddy has one a Honda 5 HP on one, and it seems to be relatively "easy" to pull the motor up.

On this particular model there are several latch points that allow the motor to be set at various depths. I dont see using these on a boat like a bellhaven. I figure there will be a depth that gives good performance, and I would end up using that same one all the time.

[Melissa Goudeseune]

Be careful that you don't buy a motor mount that's too big.

I have the Fulton 4-stroke mount on my Tanzer 22. Check out my webpage for some comparative pics of the 2-stroke and 4-stroke brackets:

http://sailing.guild.org/tanzer22/projects/motor_bracket.html

Now, my new motor is an 8hp Honda extra-long-shaft which weighs about 105 lbs. It just about balances the return springs on the heavy bracket. With any lighter motor, I would have to shove down just to get the motor into the water.

It's good to remember that sometimes, overengineering is a bad thing .

Michel

[Scott Dunsworth]

Thanks Michel and Brent. I bought one mount this evening for My Penobscot but the one for the Belhaven I let go till I get the hull turned back over. Then maybe I can make sure what kind of mount is needed.

It never occcured to me that the mount could be too strong and I would have to force the motor down. This motor weighs 57 pounds.

Something else that has been bugging me is the fuel tank. I don't want that thing hanging out in the cockpit. So should I build a small locker into one of the seats to put it in. And it should be vented also I guess. What do you all think? I haven't talked to Graham about this yet.

Scott

[Brent]

Scott, you are right on target with the fuel tank locker; it should be vented and drained. I too dont care at all for the fuel tank knocking around my feet, especially on a sail boat. There will be enough rope and stuff about already.

A design I see frequently on plastic boats puts the full tank in a locker which has a floor height slightly above the cockpit deck. This way water does not drain in around the gas tank, and any gas leak will drain out of the boat through the cockpit drains. The tank locker is covered with a hinged lid that has a cutout passage for the fuel line and also some path for vapor to move in/out of the locker.

[Scott Dunsworth]

Brent;That shouldn't be to bad to build in. I like the idea of having drain ports into the cockpit area. I think I will build and seal that part off from the rest of the locker. I was wanting to keep both seat lockers air tight so they would also serve as air tanks. The plans have a drawing of these neat hatchs, but I don't think Ill use them. The larger rectangle plastic deck hatchs are what I am planing to use. Because they are air tight, easy and I am planing to make cushions for the seats anyway. Also I thought about using the small round screw in deck plates in between chambers from the front to the back of the boat, so when its stored they can be removed for ventilation.