Any good Technical BBS for Boats (Outboard engines)?
 

Buddy want's to know if there are any good tech forums for boating. He wants to get some info on Yamaha outboards.

Thanks.

Try the rec.boats newsgroup forum. He'll need a newsgroup reader, but many email clients come with one...

I don't mess with outboard motors much. The crankshaft is positioned goofy (vertical) and they have always struck me as greyhounds. No, worse. Fox terriers. A whole bunch of horsepower is packed into something the size of a bread box. Finicky is not the right word.

But I will say this. An outboard horsepower is about the same size as three I/O horsepower. An 80-horse outboard will DESTROY a 165-horse I/O. A boat with three big V-engined outboards, when it launches, feels like you've been rear-ended. Seriously.

This place http://www.outboardrepairs.com/ is great!

BOATS!!!! Nothing better than Flying a hull.

http://www.boat-links.com/boatlink.html#top

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1090898825.jpg

Re: Any good Technical BBS for Boats (Outboard engines)?
 

they were great outboards, probably still are. A lake/ fresh water engine is usually in better condition than salt water. It's easy to test the condition of a used unit. If it came from a small fishing boat that's a good start. mercury has small water pumps in comparison to other mfg's... if you have specific questions call me.

Thanks for all the great responses. I'll forward the links to him.

Ron: He quickly described a stalling condition. I'll get more detail shortly. Can you help troubleshoot?

oh boy.. he should start with the service manual.. then a scope will usually find it if he hasn't already.. if it has the computer a mechanic should be able to spot the fault due to the probability it's a routine computer design mfg fault. Computer FI/ign faults on all Marine power plants are so much fun. If it was an install only problem an install specialist is usually called for. In other words the exact same eng and ancillaries can be fine in one install but ng in another. The original Lunar Module lander had its computers constantly crashing one week before earth lift off. A 54in cable extension was added to make it somewhat reliable. It got to the moon and was a few seconds from landing and the computer crashed.. but it was a calculated risk repair. I know the EE on that one.. anyway the shop or mfg calls in or flys in the specialist after the owner brings his guns with him for an up-date. He cleans them in the office while he's waiting for the shop owners attention or while he's keeping the present wrench company while he's trying to find the fault. The stories are endless.

a decent scope is about $400 without the needed options for the specific hook-up.

I neglected to mention that he owns and operates a Mobil station and a very busy auto repar shop. He access to pretty much every type of tool. Trying to get more info from him.