Question: Removing swim step to mount kicker

[cbgale]

If you push/squeeze the off button with clip in place, will that kill the engine? Works that way on my small OB, but took me a few years to figure out. Perhaps to harsh is different?

[Sunbeam]

I'd do the same with both of Casey's suggestions.

I changed from the big "deluxe" heavy Honda kicker that came with my boat to a much lighter Merc, and it has an integral gas tank (plus you can also attach a hose to run off a remote tank). It's nice to have that separate "stash" of tested fuel that didn't just come from the most recent fill, just in case. I set it up so the auxilliary hose goes to another nipple on the main fuel filter, so then it does tap into the main system (but it can go a long way on the internal tank, and/or one could carry a portable tank if preferred).

Another feature I like is that there is a lever you can move that will allow draining the carb without draining the integral tank.

It is a long shaft, and for my boat, I think I would prefer it to be a short shaft.

(I do have mine mounted on a Mini-Jacker, not on a swim platform though, FWIW.)

[Casey]

I haven't tried merely pushing the kill button in ... duh.
I don't think that'll kill the engine but it's worth a try next
time the boat is in the water.

Best,
Casey&Mary
Currently near Plymouth, MA after a fun day of trailering
through metropolitan Boston during rush hour traffic. (Remind
me not to do that again....)

[Larry Patrick]

Good things to know Casey ,What horse power would you pick for smaller self contained motor? Maybee I could use for dingy and if need to use to push C-Dory for repair,guess with well maintained main outboard your backup outboard hopefully never gets used. Down the road want to get dingy and motor.

[Moxieabs]

My 3.5 Tohatsu will push Widget around, weighs 40lb and runs the inflatable dinghy. It is a little dicey moving it from Widget's transom to the dinghy in open water.

[srbaum]

Just a note to follow on with Casey's suggested outboard. Tohatsu makes outboards for Mercury and Nissan, so shop around for the best price for any of these three branded outboards and have the same outboard, but with different decals. All of these new (Tohatsu made) outboards have both internal tanks and external connections for external tanks (best of both worlds). The 4, 5 and 6 are the same except for carb jetting. You can buy the jets at Boats.net, or buy an entire carburetor at Defender and have a 6 HP outboard, if you already have a 4 or a 5.
Lastly, to get a high thrust engine, using any of the outboards, buy the elephant ear prop that Tohatsu sell on their outboards that they sell for displacement sailboats and get the power that you need without overworking this tiny engine. The high thrust prop (that fits these outboards), is Defender part number 303262 ( http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|311|2349117|2349125&id=1243089 )

[Casey]

Great information from Steve. ...and he should know. When we visited Steve earlier on our ICW trip I was amazed at the extent/breadth of his boat knowledge. He's a retired USCG Commander and an engineer, so you can take what he says to-the-bank. I was amazed when he showed me his collection of small outboards ... as I recall, his current inventory is about 12 or 15!!!!!! Wish I'd known the Tohatsu 6hp was available with an internal tank.

Steve - is an internal tank modification for the Tohatsu 6 a possibility?

Best,
Casey&Mary

[srbaum]

Casey,

Thanks for the Brat pat on the back, but I find out every day that I know less then I did before. Fortunately my children still know more than I do...

In answer to your question, the 5 and 6 hp Tohatsu/Merc/Nissan 4 strokes can be converted. There are only a few parts involved (fuel tank assembly, tank mounting hardware, petcock and cowling). The cowling you have could also be modified (hole cut for the tank fill). I probably would just use a 3 gallon portable tank, as they are easy to carry, take little space and you would still have to carry a jerry jug, if you only had the internal tank.

I gave one of my sons 7 outboard engines to sell with the stipulation, that all $$$ from the sales went to his children's camps and school expenses. He sold them all within 4 days. Now I only have 12 engines left (including a Nissan 6, Merc 5, and a Merc 6).

[A Fishin C]

.... It does not have an OFF button. When running the OB, to shut it off you've got to pull the clip on the emergency kill switch(lanyard), then reinsert the clip to restart. Seems like a silly (cheap) arrangement to me.

Casey,
on other branded outboards i have had you can just push and hold the button with the clip in it and that will shut it off without removing the clip...

[A Fishin C]

sorry didn't see there was a page 2

[Larry Patrick]

Good to know Tahatsu 6hp has internal tank, Also that 3.5 will push boat. Always learning something here.