Outboard owners- some good info.

[Marty D]

I am still confused about the flushing ports. Do flushing with them for 15min to 20min clear the salt out of the engine block???? From what I saw with Marty D it was still corroded and he flushed after every use.

As Moonlighter said, you want those zinc eaten away. That's good. I'm still mad at my self not knowing about them. Like I said, I'm a truck, car mech. For many years and never know about them. The outside ones I know about. You know that zinc block on bottom of motor. Every motor has one. They are held on by 2 7/16 bolts, those bolts snap all the time. 50 percent of boat out there only have one bolt holding them on. The bolts should be taken off and greased. I took mine off when motor was new and greased them.

[Marty D]

Thanks Grant
I'll check mine when I have a buddy come down, cause it's not easy to take the cowl off by myself, need one of those suction handles the glass guys use.
So not to buy the bag and just flush like I do normally.
Side note; offshore bottom fishing awesome, coming to great time for Bass fishing. Good Day sir
John

Your right, bass fishing just started this week. That is why I'm doing all the work on my boat now. It's still warm out. Who wants to work on your boat in Dec. at 30 deg. When I pull her in Dec. all I do is take boat to the car wash and power blast the bottom. Flush motor and put motor down. I'm done!!!

[Moonlighter]

Thanks Grant
I'll check mine when I have a buddy come down, cause it's not easy to take the cowl off by myself, need one of those suction handles the glass guys use.
So not to buy the bag and just flush like I do normally.
Side note; offshore bottom fishing awesome, coming to great time for Bass fishing. Good Day sir
John

Yes. Thats what I would do.

John, i have noticed when I flush using the flushing port, that when I disconnect the hose fitting, there is quite a gush of warm water escapes. I usually let it all run out then put the plug back in. My theory: letting all the water drain out of the engine block and head may help??

Tight lines, hope the bass fishing fires up for you guys!

In a week's time, I am heading up to the Great Barrier Reef (Town of 1770) on our fishing club''s annual reef assault! 22 boats and crews going this year, I hear. Can't wait, and fingers crossed the weather plays ball!

(Current weather forecast for the week = "fishing, with a high chance of drinking")

Then, i am retiring from work and will be cranking up the fishing time even more!

Cheers

Grant

[Marty D]

Thanks Grant
I'll check mine when I have a buddy come down, cause it's not easy to take the cowl off by myself, need one of those suction handles the glass guys use.
So not to buy the bag and just flush like I do normally.
Side note; offshore bottom fishing awesome, coming to great time for Bass fishing. Good Day sir
John

Why do you need suction handle to take cowl off?

[Marty D]

Yes. Thats what I would do.

John, i have noticed when I flush using the flushing port, that when I disconnect the hose fitting, there is quite a gush of warm water escapes. I usually let it all run out then put the plug back in. My theory: letting all the water drain out of the engine block and head may help??

Tight lines, hope the bass fishing fires up for you guys!

In a week's time, I am heading up to the Great Barrier Reef (Town of 1770) on our fishing club''s annual reef assault! 22 boats and crews going this year, I hear. Can't wait, and fingers crossed the weather plays ball!

(Current weather forecast for the week = "fishing, with a high chance of drinking")

Then, i am retiring from work and will be cranking up the fishing time even more!

Cheers

Grant

The first year I retired 9-11. It was 2012 when I use the boat every day fishing. My gas bill was $12,000 for the season. I was living in Delaware. The season starts early March to Jan. My wife was not happy. I had a 200 hp HPDI. I must of put 1000 hours on motor the year. I spent $2800 this year so far. Now bass are here so I will be using it a lot. Do you guys ask for money when you invite your friends to fish on the boat ?

[Moonlighter]

The first year I retired 9-11. It was 2012 when I use the boat every day fishing. My gas bill was $12,000 for the season. I was living in Delaware. The season starts early March to Jan. My wife was not happy. I had a 200 hp HPDI. I must of put 1000 hours on motor the year. I spent $2800 this year so far. Now bass are here so I will be using it a lot. Do you guys ask for money when you invite your friends to fish on the boat ?

Our "season" is all year round! Just the species change! Summer is usually more windy so that sees us using the small boats in rivers, creeks and dams.

Mostly we all chip in for gas and bait, its not something asked for, but since we all know what is involved, we just do it.

I dont really take newbies out very often, but if I do i will tell them what fuel we used etc - some of them have no idea how much fuel a boat uses compared to a car. When they find out they rae shocked, and then usually offer.

For short local trips in the Bay where I would only use 15-20 litres of fuel, doesnt bother me either way - even though we typically pay $1.30-$1.50 per litre here!!
Work that out in $US (3.8 litres to the US gallon)

[Marty D]

I do all the repairs on boat, motor and trailer. I don't know how anyone can pay for all the work needed. Painting bottom of boat. if you don't have a trailer to put boat in and out. Dock fees. Add the gas and fishing rods, bait. it's got to be a $8000.00 season. I'm retired so I have the same check coming in every week. It's getting harder and harder. I use the boat 5 X a week. It's a lot of money and a lot of work. But - We all enjoy it !!!

[bassyac]

Grant
Congratulations on retirement!!!!! I passed on mine and don't want to yet.
Good luck
Right now gas is $2.04 and up, I put 20 gallons a day with cans till it's full
Have a great trip on the GBF. I looked it up once and the side bar on my screen gives me airfare to Australia for months.
Marty D
The handle was humor, cause the cowl's big.
I/She won't let people pay for fuel and it does not use much. 60+ mile run 16.7 gallons
My die hard fishing wife is not allowed to retire cause she paid for the boat and all it's costs. Your close on that $8000

[Greg Moore]

To all the guys concerned about flushing their motors.. Yes do it! But don't think for a second the zincs won't corrode if you do.. I boat in fresh water and it's very basic water, not acidic. Best scenario there is for limiting corrosion but it still happens, just at a much slower rate than more acidic water (typically small lakes, rivers, anything more 'brown' in color) and certainly slower than in salt water.

In short, flush if you can, but do not neglect to check all the zincs on your boat/motor!

Least to worst corrosion is.
Fresh water, alkaline (ie upper great lakes, lakes with tons of limestone)
Fresh water, acidic (ie small inland lakes, brownish forest/swamp fed)
Salt water.

Colder is slower, warmer water is faster corrosion.. If you're plugged into shore power, expect 2X-3X the speed zinc erode (unplug if not required)

As long as there is zinc left, not much else happens. Once zinc is gone, 'pot metal' and aluminum is the next metal to be eaten.