Our ancient 3 HP gamefisher has finally become more of a problem than
it's worth and we're thinking of finally buying something new for
powering a small boat. (We're not mechanically inclined and it's become
impossible to find anyone to work on the motor). Thinking of something
around 3 HP and hopefully under 30 lbs. Which outboards would you
recommend? We'll be carrying it in our motorhome. We really liked the
air cooled gamefisher (although it WAS noisy) but I really have no idea
of the differences between air cooled and water cooled. I'm thinking
that the air cooled engines might be better for storing on it's side in
an RV compartment. Really appreciate your opinions and any
recommendations on where to purchase.

The only air cooled small outboard that we've found locally is the
Honda (new but last year's model for $750)

Thanks!

Sandy

I have to admitt, I'm no fan of air cooled engines. I'd go for a water
cooled two stroke engine. The two stroke is simpler and lighter than a
four stroke, and it cost less as well. The bad part, you have to add
oil to the gas, you'll get over it, trust me. As far as storage, just
sit the engine upright for a short period of time before putting it
away, to let the water drain out. People store them on their side all
the time. I would go with a Mercury, lots of dealers, no problem
getting it fixed if it has a problem. And if you put some hours on them
they all wear (Don't pay much attention to sailboat guy's who swear by
some brands, but don't realize that they put next to zero hours on
their engines. They all last forever if you never use them.) Figure on
an engine like this being with you for a long long time. I would stay
away from a Japanese engine for that reason. I don't care what anyone
says, your just not going to be able to get parts for them years from
now. They'll just tell you to buy a new one.

I'm sure this might get a few people going, but I grew up on the water,
I got my first small outboard 38 years ago when I was 10 years old. I
put lots of hours on them over the years, it's fun from time to time to
just putt around in a little boat. I'm not new to this. I've seen
people have to throw out engines just because they couldn't buy some
silly part anymore, it can, and does, happen.

"Capt John" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would go with a Mercury, lots of dealers, no problem
getting it fixed if it has a problem. And if you put some hours on them
they all wear ...

Figure on
an engine like this being with you for a long long time. I would stay
away from a Japanese engine for that reason. I don't care what anyone
says, your just not going to be able to get parts for them years from
now. They'll just tell you to buy a new one.



Mecury makes some good motors and have in the past, but their older parts
situation is changing rapidly. Many parts less than 20 years old are now no
longer available (NLA). So far, Johnson and Evinrude older parts can still
be ordered for the most part, and used parts places can usually find what
you might need.

Bill Grannis
service manager

Also Sprach Capt John :

the time. I would go with a Mercury, lots of dealers, no problem
getting it fixed if it has a problem. (...) I would stay
away from a Japanese engine for that reason.

Errr.... a Mercury in the size range he's looking at IS a Japanese
engine. Specifically, it's a Tohatsu (Nissan) with Mercury stickers on it.

I'm sure this might get a few people going, but I grew up on the water,
I got my first small outboard 38 years ago when I was 10 years old. I
put lots of hours on them over the years, it's fun from time to time to
just putt around in a little boat. I'm not new to this. I've seen
people have to throw out engines just because they couldn't buy some
silly part anymore, it can, and does, happen.

My trolling motor is a 1963 18 HP Evinrude. Pretty much all the parts I've
needed (points, coils, condensers, carb overhaul kit, various gaskets,
and a waterpump impeller) are still available from the dealer. The only
thing I've wanted but not been able to find at the dealer was a waterpump
housing.... managed to get a new old-stock one on ebay.

Dan

--
It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the waterline.
Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.

-- Hunter S. Thompson

On 22 Feb 2005 06:18:37 -0800, "sandy"
wrote:

Our ancient 3 HP gamefisher has finally become more of a problem than
it's worth and we're thinking of finally buying something new for
powering a small boat. (We're not mechanically inclined and it's become
impossible to find anyone to work on the motor). Thinking of something
around 3 HP and hopefully under 30 lbs. Which outboards would you
recommend? We'll be carrying it in our motorhome. We really liked the
air cooled gamefisher (although it WAS noisy) but I really have no idea
of the differences between air cooled and water cooled. I'm thinking
that the air cooled engines might be better for storing on it's side in
an RV compartment. Really appreciate your opinions and any
recommendations on where to purchase.

Well, if you are storing on it's side, you don't want a four stroke so
Honda is out.

The safest engine is a two stroke. Mercury, Johnson/Evinrude and I
believe Suzuki/Tohatsu are all good sound engines that will do you
well.

You won't find air cooled anymore unless you obtain a Briggs and
Stratton and you DO NOT want to go in that direction.

For a 3 horse, $750 isn't out of the question for a brand new unit
with gas tank and connecting hose.

If you want me to be specific, it's a Johnson 3.5 for you. At thirty
pounds and water cooled, it's probably your best bet. Personally, I
wouldn't buy a Mercury because of their warranty (or lack of) service
at the factory level. Other's have had different experiences that I
have had but I'm not alone in my mistrust of Mercury and the way they
pay (or don't pay) warranty claims. Plus I'm a Bombardier guy. :)

To bad you can't get a FICHT or E-TEC in that size engine.

Sorry - inside joke. :)

Later,

Tom

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 22 Feb 2005 06:18:37 -0800, "sandy"
wrote:


Our ancient 3 HP gamefisher has finally become more of a problem than
it's worth and we're thinking of finally buying something new for
powering a small boat. (We're not mechanically inclined and it's become
impossible to find anyone to work on the motor). Thinking of something
around 3 HP and hopefully under 30 lbs. Which outboards would you
recommend? We'll be carrying it in our motorhome. We really liked the
air cooled gamefisher (although it WAS noisy) but I really have no idea
of the differences between air cooled and water cooled. I'm thinking
that the air cooled engines might be better for storing on it's side in
an RV compartment. Really appreciate your opinions and any
recommendations on where to purchase.


Well, if you are storing on it's side, you don't want a four stroke so
Honda is out.

The safest engine is a two stroke. Mercury, Johnson/Evinrude and I
believe Suzuki/Tohatsu are all good sound engines that will do you
well.

You won't find air cooled anymore unless you obtain a Briggs and
Stratton and you DO NOT want to go in that direction.

For a 3 horse, $750 isn't out of the question for a brand new unit
with gas tank and connecting hose.

If you want me to be specific, it's a Johnson 3.5 for you. At thirty
pounds and water cooled, it's probably your best bet. Personally, I
wouldn't buy a Mercury because of their warranty (or lack of) service
at the factory level. Other's have had different experiences that I
have had but I'm not alone in my mistrust of Mercury and the way they
pay (or don't pay) warranty claims. Plus I'm a Bombardier guy. :)

To bad you can't get a FICHT or E-TEC in that size engine.

Sorry - inside joke. :)

Later,

Tom

And it was funny too Tom:-) Thanks!!! good to know you can see the
humour:-)

K

& the Krause lie of the day is :-)

Not nearly as offensive as his Vietnam lies of course, what
possibly could be??? but equally sad are the myriad Krause "father" lies.

He created a fictitious family boating history which centers around
his father whom he claims was the biggest OB dealer in the US nth
east!!! These lies are sad because who knows, the real Mr Krause way
well have actually served honourably for his country in WW2, but of
course our lying grub Krause can't allow that; because
well.............. you've seen his ungrateful views on all the things
that allow him to sleep snug & safe as lying cowards do.


During the war, he turned out experimental brass shell casings
for the Army and hopped up outboards for the Navy, which wanted to
use them on smaller landing craft. I had photos at one time of my
father with Ole Evinrude himself.
My mother knew one of Evinrude's wives...she was a minor movie
star or singer...I forgot which. Maybe both.

I agree that Johnson parts are much easier to obtain, I have a Mariner now
and it runs great and parts are easy to find, but Evinrude and Johnson,
well, they damb near sell parts at the corner drug store, parts are
available for many many many years.

"Marshall Banana" wrote in message
...
Also Sprach Capt John :

the time. I would go with a Mercury, lots of dealers, no problem
getting it fixed if it has a problem. (...) I would stay
away from a Japanese engine for that reason.

Errr.... a Mercury in the size range he's looking at IS a Japanese
engine. Specifically, it's a Tohatsu (Nissan) with Mercury stickers on
it.

I'm sure this might get a few people going, but I grew up on the water,
I got my first small outboard 38 years ago when I was 10 years old. I
put lots of hours on them over the years, it's fun from time to time to
just putt around in a little boat. I'm not new to this. I've seen
people have to throw out engines just because they couldn't buy some
silly part anymore, it can, and does, happen.

My trolling motor is a 1963 18 HP Evinrude. Pretty much all the parts I've
needed (points, coils, condensers, carb overhaul kit, various gaskets,
and a waterpump impeller) are still available from the dealer. The only
thing I've wanted but not been able to find at the dealer was a waterpump
housing.... managed to get a new old-stock one on ebay.

Dan

--
It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the waterline.
Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.

-- Hunter S. Thompson

On 22 Feb 2005 06:18:37 -0800, "sandy"
wrote:

Our ancient 3 HP gamefisher has finally become more of a problem than
it's worth and we're thinking of finally buying something new for
powering a small boat. (We're not mechanically inclined and it's become
impossible to find anyone to work on the motor). Thinking of something
around 3 HP and hopefully under 30 lbs. Which outboards would you
recommend? We'll be carrying it in our motorhome. We really liked the
air cooled gamefisher (although it WAS noisy) but I really have no idea
of the differences between air cooled and water cooled. I'm thinking
that the air cooled engines might be better for storing on it's side in
an RV compartment. Really appreciate your opinions and any
recommendations on where to purchase.

I have one of these on my 47.5' sailing sloop. Nice little motor.