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In preparing for a week long cruise on the ICW what do you think would be the most important spare engine parts to carry? I can handle some basic repairs, but am not about to try to rebuild a engine on the water. Also, keep in mind, I do have towing insurance, and for big things would probably rather just getting the tow to the nearest marine. If it helps, the engine is a 2002 Honda 8hp four stroke outboard.
I'd second carrying shear pins, spark plugs, extra impellers as pointed out above. I'd also recommend carrying spare fuel filters and a spare prop.
BTW, you do have a water/fuel separating type filter in the fuel line, right??? If not, add one ASAP. Getting water into the fuel and into the engine is one of the biggest sources of problems on outboards. A fuel/water separator is a simple way to prevent these problems.
Do outboards still have shear pins?? Both mine have rubber hubs on the props and when you "spin a prop" you have to get a new prop. But if he's a sailboat there's little likelihood of spinning a prop.
My 3.5 HP Tohatsu has a shear pin. Don't know about my 20 HP Honda, but I use a composite prop on it that tends to shear blades before the shear pin would break, if it has one.
That's true. It's only one week and he does have towing insurance. That's why I said at the most a couple of plugs. Have you ever tried to replace an impeller in an outboard?
Thanks for the replies everyone. Also, what are your opinions on having a marine mechanic check out/ tune up the motor? I have heard mixed feelings on this. The motor seems to run just fine, but I am moving the boat close to 400 miles, and a majority of that is going to be motoring. I don't want to break down along the way. I don't have many records from the prior owner, and want everything to be in top shape before my trip. I would do most of it myself, but just don't have the time, especially considering the boat is 3 hours away.
Carrying a small dinghy outboard, like a 3.5 HP or so, might not be a bad idea. Not only can you use it for the dinghy, it could work as a backup to the boat's motor in an emergency. If you're going to carrying a dinghy anyways, it wouldn't hurt.
If it's running fine leave it alone. Have you had this boat long? What's your history with the motor? You sound like it's all new to you. Now if it is all new to you, you do have the most important thing -- towing insurance. Good luck on your cruise. Oh, one little thing, take some engine oil with you to top up if it gets a bit low and that little green light goes out.
The boat is new to me. I live in Tampa, and just bought the boat in the Cape Canaveral area (east coast). My only experience with the boat from the sea trial last week. Late november I am going to take it from cape canaveral down the ICW to Stuart, then across the state via the okeechobee waterway, and then up the west coast to Tampa (about 400 miles). I have had power boats before, and never even worried about the engine, but that was because I was familiar with them. This one is completely new to me. I will be on the boat the next 2 weekends trying to get things in order, before my trip.
This is an 8 HP outboard motor we're talking about...and they usually don't have a separate water pump that can be replaced... impeller and gaskets, yes, but no separate water pump.
That's a nice trip. I would not be too concerned regarding the condition of the motor. There's a stop every thirty miles or so where you can get assistance if you really need it. Good luck.
Because you don't know the history of the motor I would recommend --
Change the impeller and take a spare one with gaskets.
Change the plugs and take a spare set.
Change the oil in the engine and lower end.
Spare starting rope.
Check the oil often in the begining for usage. I like to put the oil in one of those shampoo bottles that have the little flip open spouts. I think that engine only holds about a quart of oil total so add easy.
Honda's are very reliable motors and you need not worry too much. I would check the thermostat area if the motor has seen salt, as you can get a build up of crystallized salt deposits there, and it can restrict the cooling water flow. A spare set of plugs is fine, but not much good without the tools to change them. The plug size is 18mm and not in most tool kits, and hard/impossible to get with a wrench. If you have the Honda tool kit, it comes with this wrench and a starter rope should yours fail. There are also cotter pins and shear pins in a rubber holder attached to the motor opposite the tiller.
I don't know the size of your boat, but my 33 year old Honda 7.5 starts first pull, and pushes my boat at hull speed with almost zero throttle. Fuel use is nil at hull speed.
Kary
#49080
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