On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 12:31:16 GMT, "Rich"
wrote:

Got a chance to have a boat at a good location on salt water, but it is a
situation where the boat and motor will rarely be used and have to work with
almost no prep when it does get used. 280 mile trip to the water and boat
for only a weekend's use. The last time I tried this I wound up with a
motor that wouldn't start. Motor will be in the 15 to 30 hp range manual
start.


Questions:
Are two strokes going to be better or worse for this application than four
strokes?

Well, I can only use anecdotal experience, but two strokes will
usually start after long periods of inactivity easier than four stroke
engines. Admittedly, I have almost no experience with four stroke
outboards, but I have a ton of experience with small four stroke
engines on garden tractors and the like. For example, I have a 35 hp
Gale outboard in the garage that started first try after sitting still
and unused for over six years. I can't think of a four stroke garden
tractor that I've restored that has done that and I've done a bunch of
them.

Will treating the fuel with gas treatment be enough? It is sometimes as
long as six months between uses.

Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to put fresh gas/oil into the tank. If, as
you mentioned below, you can use the gas/oil somewhere else, then
that's the best answer.

Am I going to have to run it dry (the carb) and then spray some hard to fing
"secret" stuff into it to leave it that long?

It won't hurt to do that. Again, use a light machine oil like Marvel,
WD-40 or PB Blaster to protect it.

On an engine that small, it's not a big chore to pull the plugs and
spray the cylinders with Mystery Oil or some other light weight oil
for the down time.

You might also want to mist the engine exterior just to keep the
moisture at bay for long periods of time.

You didn't mention if the motor/boat will be stored outside or inside.
If outside, you might want to invest in a simple motor cover - that
can help keep moisture out.

I can mix 6 gals. at a time of 2 stroke and then use that fuel somewhere
else if that's what it will take. But what about the engine itself?

As long as you take reasonable precautions, it will be fine. Flush
the engine with fresh water (run it at idle for at least 15/20 minutes
with a set of "earmuffs" - just don't go over idle), mist the engine,
spray the cylinders and that should just about do it.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

"To the fisherman born there is nothing
so provoking of curiosity as a fishing rod
in a case."

Roland Pertwee, "The River God" (1928)