first honda 2hp trouble

[Minnow]

I took the advice of others on the site and bought a honda 2hp long shaft for the cp16 early this season and loved it.  It worked great.  It can push against the tide and current and uses very little gas.  But, when I needed it the most....VERY rough seas.  Winds 30-35.  6' waves breaking sideways across the boat from three different directions at the entrance to the channel.  As nervous as we were, the boat did well sailing.  But, I could not make the channel because it was directly upwind.  We were getting blown back towards rocks, and I was trying to steer into the waves to keep them form hitting us directly sideways.  I started the engine in an effort to be able to point into the wind and still steer against the waves.  I kept one sail up just in case the engine failed because I felt we were in dangerous territory.  (very nervous, wet and cold crew)  The engine worked well, although going against the current, smashing into the waves and against the wind, we did not make much headway.  We were moving and I could steer so I was feeling a little better.  But, we were pushing in this way for a while and then the engine stalled.  We were getting blown around again and I could not steer in the channel under sail.  I thought I was going to have to turn around and head back out, to keep the wind, and steer the boat.  This would not have been good! I got the engine started again and it worked for another half hour until it died (out of gas).  I had to fill the tank while getting blown around and riding the 6' waves (10-12 feet up and down).  I got it started and it got us home but my question is this.  Where does the engine draw the gas from?  I think it must just be gravity fed.  I assume that due to the pitching if the boat, the gas left in the tank was unable to get to the engine, causing the stall.  I always topped of the tank before leaving land, but now I will always top off the tank any chance I get, even underway.  FYI don't let it happen to you.  Anyone with a similar story?

[multimedia_smith]

HI Minnow,
Harrowing story!  Glad you made it in OK.  I've been running the BF2 (long shaft) for several years now without difficulty.
I do wish they had a fitting to run an external tank, but the truth is, I've only run out because I didn't refill for several trips.  Last Spring, we went to an offshore Island and the wind died... we motored for a couple of hours at about 1/3 throttle (remember, no wind) and I never had to refill it before we reached the island 13 miles out.  I've also used it to tow a sailboat in trouble directly into the wind back to the harbor and although we had to open it up... still no probs.
Sounds like you were running low gas and the sloshing didn't allow it to feed into the carb... also when you refilled underway in the heavy seas, you may have gotten some water in the tank along with the gas.  That may explain the stalling the second time...
Topping off before launch should get you back from anywhere you could reach in a day sail... also, after sailing, I hook up a 5 gal bucket under the motor and run the gas out of the carb... I don't know what else to tell you other than I went sailing last weekend for the first time since June and it started right up... they are incredibly dependable... you might want to have a dealer tune it.
Best of luck
Dale

[B.Hart]

  Hi minnow, I run a 2hp evinrude short shaft (it came with the boat) and one of my biggest complaints is the small tank and have had to refuel in rough seas. On a forum (maby on here) I saw a pump setup to transfer fuel from a remote tank to the little tank on the motor. I believe it was a hand, bulb type of pump. Good luck and glad all turned out ok.  BILL

[Paul]

Seems I saw a cool set up similar to what you're talking about, Bill.  I'm thinking I saw this in Boatworks Magazine.  Anyway, a small clear tube was lead from a remote tank to the motor's tank.  A small hand-crank pumped the fuel.  Cost of the set-up was minimal as I recall.  Parts found at big box boat stores and hardware stores.  Looked no fuss and no mess.

I suppose one could substitute a bulb pump for the hand crank style with success.  I think the hose was fed into the top of the fuel cap vent, but I could be wrong.

0.02

[jaybird]

wow, sounds like rough conditions. I am interested in heavy weather sailing. Could you describe the seas and wind in more detail and how the boat behaved? Did you reef or double reef your main? StormJib? Did you try to heave to when starting the motor? Where do you sail out of? THanks
Jay

[B.Hart]

Hi PAUL, I think you are right that it was in boatworks. I have one for me on my list of wants.  HAPPY SAILING   BILL