Lotsa' Part-throttle.

barefoot · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 7:24 am Post subject: Lotsa' Part-throttle.

Some may remember that I have an EFI 4-stroke 50 BUT am coping with seemingly endless manatee zones, no-wake zones, marina zones, some very shallow water, and now, chunks of houses a tornado dumped in the open water. You may also remember that with almost all slow running I've considered swapping for everything from a 9.9 main engine to twin 20s.
Airplanes and outboards are made for steady high cruising rpm, but cars are fine with "light and variable" throttle. What I want to know comes down to what I saw addressed here once but can't find now: how well will my modern 50 hold up to running like a car: mostly at idle, just off-idle, light throttle, part-throttle, and rare slow planing?

Byrdman · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 7:41 am Post subject:

Keeping the water flow clean is a good thing to avoid over heating...not sure how much/many house parts you are dealing with....or sand. With a lot of sand, I'd be pron to change the impeller annually along with the lower unit oil/lubes.

You may want to also use a fuel additive due to the minimal fuel burn you have, several day/night temp changes could produce a bit of moisture in your tank. I did not have EFI four strokes on my pair of Honda 90s, and often ran them at idle for about 6 hours a day just poking around Lake Martin look'n-&-cook'n and loving life on the boat.

Now that is simply from a user's prespective...and experiences.

Great waters down your way and we really need to some day set us up a little loop trip down your way on the St. Johns.

Byrdman

Capt. Jim · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:

Not to worry, these engines will last when properly maintained. Keep fuel conditioner in your gas and change the oil at recommended intervals or perhaps more often than that. Kind of like stop and go driving in traffic in the city.

flagold · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:31 am Post subject:

I agree, they're really good now, compared to the engines of old. I'm running slow most of the time as well, no problems.

barefoot · Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 2:44 am Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback, all. Glad to hear the 50 should be OK with "stop and go driving." Mainly, I still think a pair of 20s would be so cool, but am glad I won't have to swap before I want to. No sand in it as the water has been too shallow even to launch. Already have stabilizer in the gas. The house parts in the water (and bottom) are hunks of lumber, paneling, roofing foam, aluminum sheds, etc. Back when a neighbor could still launch, he limped home with a great gob of wire around the prop.