New 4 cycle outboard for my CP 16

[kldubois]

Have decided to get rid of my Suzuki 4 hp, DT4, 2 cycle motor, and buy a brand new something.

I would appreciate recommendations on what to buy for my Com-Pac 16.

Thanks in advance, Joe in Key Largo

[morgantheship]

I am selling a New Nissan 3.5 HP long shaft that was used on my CP16.  Sold the boat to buy something bigger, but still have the engine.  Let me know if interested.  I have photos, etc.

Russell
ragceg@ameritech.net

[Paul]

We have a Honda 2HP four stroke and enjoy it.  I'd also recommend the long shaft.

[Nick]

Just a thought, consider going to electric saltwater motor.  I have a 55 thrust motor and a 90 amp gel battery, with an off the shelf solar panels from West Marine.  I have not charged the motor all summer.. No hassles, no fumes, out of the slip in no time.

[finchm]

The Honda 2hp is a great little engine.  I use it on my boat and it works quite well.

[bbradbury]

When I first bought my CP16-2 the boat's previous owner had a 6hp Johnson 2cyc engine on it.  The 6hp was undependable, heavy, and a gas hog that required an attached fuel tank.  Because of my weight (200+), and the engine and fuel tank weight, the scuppers were often at or below the water revealing a minor (everyone has one I think) leak at the transom.  In an effort to improve on all the above stated problems I began by losing some weight (~20lbs and I feel great), replacing and re-caulking my scupper"s, selling the 6hp Johnson and fuel tank, and purchasing a new Honda BF2D Long Shaft.  The BF2D has been an excellent purchase as it is extremely light, uses little fuel, air cooled, and easy to operate.  It comes with a centrifugal clutch and does not have a shifter.  When backing down the engine has to be rotated 360 degrees but this has only been a minor inconvenience.  I have to back-in to my dock, and I have never had a problem.  There has been much discussion about Long Shaft (LS) or Short Shaft versions of the engine, and I decided to go with the LS version to avoid the possibility of the prop coming out of the water.  The cost difference, as I remember, was negligible.  The built-in gas tank holds around a 1/4 gal (or less) of fuel and does not allow for an external tank connection.  I wanted to know exactly how far I could travel on a tank and started down my lake on a test (I carried an emergency 1 gal tank).  There was a light chop on the lake but after traveling about 15 mi I decided to shut down and check the fuel bowl......much to my surprise there was still a little fuel sloshing around.....so great mileage!  O yea the scuppers are out of the water and no leaks.  I can highly recommend the BF2D.
Bruce
CP 16-2

[Killjoy]

I have a question, is 2hp or a trolling motor enough to fight a current? I sail near the inlets on the Central FL Atlantic coast and while I havn't tried braving them under sail (too rough and too crowded with other boats) I would be concerned that I wouldn't have enough power to get out of trouble with a small motor ( I have a 5hp Nissan).

[Craig Weis]

I have a short shaft 5 hp Mercury 2 stroke on my C-P 19 with two quart internal tank and a three gallon external tank. I think I buy about seven gallons of gas/oil mix a season, and that is plenty of power for me. Usually can scoot along at 4.6 knots which is as fast as I usually can sail, [with good wind]. So my sails make the same hp as my iron wind? I guess so. Sometime I do see 6.4 knots on the Raymarine 435 i chartplotter SOG. skip.

[queens cove sailor]

I have a 4 stroke 4 HP longshaft Yamaha and think it is the greatest thing since the wheel.  It idles so slow that I can creep in and out of my slip (boat in the water all the time in Florida) with great assurance and ticks along so quietly that it is the closest thing to an electric O/B except that I have spare power for any current or headwind.  Best of all, I do not have to lift or drop my bracket since tilt alone puts the cavitation plate adequately below water yet can tilt up and out (close but clear) of the water. 

P.S. I required a motor with full shift (F-N-R) which obliged me to go to 4HP .  Otherwise 3 Hp would have been OK for the chop and currents here.

Charlie

[Rick Klages]

I had a Honda 2hp longshaft that was great!  I sold it with my last boat.  I now have a 2 stroke 3.5 Tohatsu that runs well but puts a lot of gunk in the water.  It will be replaced with another Honda in a couple of seasons.

Rick

[kldubois]

Thanks for all the replies. Just bought new Mercury 3.5 HP, 4 stroke, long shaft, for my C-16. World Wide Sportsman in Ft. Laud, $800.00. They had received long shaft by mistake and wanted to get rid of it. Plenty of power for tidal currents I have to deal with. Primary objection is the difficult start, either cold or warm. Old Suzuki 2 stroke - first pull every time. This one, not so good. Small gas tank, runs about 60 minutes at 1/3 power. Joe in Key Largo

[queens cove sailor]

I think you made the right chocice for your locale.  If it doesn't start right off then there is probably a plugged idle jet, particularly if , judging by the extremely low price your paid, yours is a left -over from prior year(s), which might have a gummed up idle jet from the first test run.  My Yamaha, which is the same motor since Yamaha makes the 4 stroke Mercury 4, didn't start first pull until I cleaned out the idle jet and now it runs like a fine watch and starts easily.  Suggest you check with the dealer.

Of course, could only be a case of needing the break-in but should start easily after several hours of running .  Ignition is CD and should start on 1st or second pull.  Make sure that integral tank vent is open even if using remote tank.  Mickey-mouse venting system of small Yamahas requires that Integral tank vent be open whenever using motor, regardless of which tank is used.  To be sure you are getting fuel you can open line to or from filter and turn over slowly and fuel should spurt out.

Charlie

[doug]

I also had a Mercury 4 HP that was a real problem to start, four things changed and now it starts first try every time, new plugs, new fuel filter, fuel additive to help keep it fresh (a tank lasts a couple of months) and I no longer run to eliminate fuel in the lines and carb. Acts like a different motor. After getting caught in a surprise storm on the Chesapeake Bay and really needing a quick start, I was glad that one of the changes or all of them together worked.

[queens cove sailor]

I agree with Doug and feel that it is essential to use a fuel additive particularly since you sail in Florida.  However, every sailor should use a gasoline preservative since they do not use their outboards often enough or long enough to have really "fresh" gas all the time.  Even with an additive (I prefer the new Marine STABIL, which has even more carburetor & anti-gum  ingredients), the more volatile components of gasoline can evaporate and this makes the engine harder to start.  So one should also keep the vents closed and dump fuel (into your car is one way) that has been around too long.
Yamaha also recommends (literally drops of) their ring -free anti carbon additive, which also is supposed to help keep carburetor jets clean.  I have been told by a good Yamaha outboard mechanic that Techron, sold at West and other Marine stores, is essentially the same thing, at a different concentration, but I did not verify the chemical contents.  With any additive do not think "more is better" or you will have a problem; follow their directions carefully. 

Can't go wrong changing a spark plug, and it has to help at some point, but the 4 stroke does not foul plugs like a 2 stroke.   You can tell if the fuel filter is beginning to clog if you disconnect the line on the carb side and turn the engine over by pulling the starter rope.

Again , both are good maintenance procedures but chances are hard-starting with these small outboards is usually due to the carburetor and keeping fuel from gumming in the tiny jets is the cure.  Being an engineer, I do not use additives on my cars but the small carburetors of a modern outboard are far more sensitive.

[Keith Laser]

Nick,

I too have the Minn Kota 55.  Where did you place the battery?  If in the cockpit, what kind of a cable are you using to connect it to the motor?  I am also having trouble with the main sheet getting caught up on the motor.  Do you take the motor off when you are underway of is that not a problem for you.
Thanks,
Keith