New Motor

[rogerschwake]

  My Sun Cat has an old 1986 4HP 2 cycle Johnson with a short shaft. Would like to move up to a 4 or 5HP 4 cycle with forward and reverse, long shaft and remote gas tank. I do almost all of my sailing here in Iowa and surrounding states, no currents or tides. What engine do you suggest and where to get the best price. Getting a few bucks back from Uncle Sam and don't want it to burn a hole in my pocket.

[capt_nemo]

rogerschwake,

A few of us Sun Cat Owners have the YAMAHA 4 HP 4-stroke long shaft, with F-N-R and built-in switch capability for either INTERNAL or EXTERNAL fuel tanks.

I absolutely love mine, and from what I've heard, others with the engine like it also. Engine starts easily, sips fuel, and reaches hull speed at about half throttle. Plenty of power to spare.

Three recommendations. FIRST, make sure every ounce of fuel going into the fuel tank is stabilized. Most of us use so little fuel it needs to be kept "fresh". SECOND, related to first, don't fill your auxiliary tank FULL - since we don't use all that much in normal operation. Instead, get a one gallon fuel container and add fresh stabilized fuel to the auxiliary tank when it's low. THIRD, leave the engine locked securely on the motor mount all the time and use a ratchet nylon strap under the engine (against the bracket plate) from stern cleat to stern cleat when traveling. This stabilizes the engine and prevents excessive "dynamic" loads which could otherwise damage the boat transom.

Let us know what you decide.

capt_nemo

[CaptRon28]

Nemo -

All good ideas. I'd add one more - locate a source of non-ethanol gasoline in your area and don't put in anything else.

[jb]

I have purchased two motors from onlineoutboards.com, one being a 5 HP 4 stroke Nissan, and was pleased with the price,delivery and motors.


  http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Nissan-4-hp-Outboards.html       


j

[atrometer]

I have purchased two motors from onlineoutboards.com, one being a 5 HP 4 stroke Nissan, and was pleased with the price,delivery and motors.


  http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Nissan-4-hp-Outboards.html       


j

Me too  6 HP Tohatsu SailPro EX long shaft high thrust - NOT for my CP16

[rogerschwake]

  Thanks for your thoughts on my upgrading of the power plant. Will be looking for a Yamaha with the forward and reverse, sure missed that reverse to help stop. The weather here is finally warming and should be out on it soon.

ROGER

[skip1930]

Premium gasoline from British Petrolium [BP] is free of gasohol in my neck of the woods.

skip.

[capt_nemo]

rogerschwake,

In addition to the YAMAHA 4 HP, when approaching the dock recommend trying this procedure.

With a clear view of the dock ahead, relax and concentrate, this is not the time to be in a hurry. (I find my 5' 10" self sitting up on the Sun Cat's cockpit coaming to get a clear view ahead.)

Approach the dock DEAD SLOW, just enough forward way on to maintain steerage.

Shift into NEUTRAL at some distance from the dock and let the boat's momentum carry her forward.

Continue on SLOWLY for your landing place WITH STEERAGE. If necessary (in crosswind or falling momentum) shift back in FORWARD for a few seconds then quickly back in NEUTRAL to recover.

With practice, you will end up kissing the dock with so little way on you can hop out with a dock line (preferably mid-ship) and stop/secure the boat.

And, if necessary, you can still  slow the boat down with a quick shift into REVERSE then NEUTRAL.

Try it, it's fun and challenging.


capt_nemo

[moonlight]

I think you'd have to give Lehr propane or Torqueedo electric a real close look in this case.

[rogerschwake]

  Forgot about the Torqueeto and after looking up the price I'm not really interested. The Lehr is more money than a gas outboard and I trust the time tested gas engine more. Thanks for the suggestions though.
ROGER

[wes]

If you ask me, the only thing "time tested" about my gas outboard is it's likelihood to fail me at the worst possible moment. It is by far the most unreliable and maintenance-intensive object on my boat (not counting members of my immediate family). I would happily heave it into the ocean if I had something better to put in its place.

I leave it unsecured on the transom in the hope that someone will steal it and give me an excuse to buy a Lehr or Torqueedo (Torqueedo more likely, since the Lehr is surprisingly noisy). So far, no takers.

Wes

[tmorgan]

I had a Yamaha 4hp on my Suncat for 5 years.  Always had starting problems.  Last 2 years I have a Honda 5hp.  The Honda works great.  I do use non ethanol fuel whenever possible.  I also take the boat out and run the motor over half speed for  15-20 minutes as per the mechanic's suggestion every month or so.

[rogerschwake]

  Planned on buying a Yamaha on the internet but ran into some difficulty. Now thinking about a Tohatsu 4HP, does anyone out there have a bad experience with this motor. I'm also wondering about a remote 3 gallon tank also. Once when motoring up to a dock we ran out of fuel, what a fire drill. Tell me what you think.

[capt_nemo]

rogerschwake,

I use a 3 gal remote tank with my 4 HP 4-stroke YAMAHA and like it.

HOWEVER, as I said before I don't fill it up - maybe half way - and then ADD A GALLON OF FRESH NON-ETHANOL STABILIZED fuel when the tank gets low.

Depends on how fast you use up fuel.

capt_nemo

[Alex H.]

I have a 6hp Tohatsu and I love it. Starts easy , runs quiet and sips fuel. I understand under the skin it's the same as the Mercury. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. Love it.