Briggs and Stratton outboard

[steelespike]

Does anyone have one of the new Briggs outboards?<br /> Wondering how they measure up.

 

[JB]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Sloopy has one, Spike.<br /><br />He will probably be along any minute with anything you want to know about it.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Yes I have one STEEL! its great! although the minute I got it the recoil starter and the neutral safety switch broke. after I got those fixed it has run great! no problems what so ever! it is not loud at idle and you cant even hear it if you put the choke in a little bit! It has now impeller and is air cooled it has never let me down once (except that first time with the safety neutral thing and recoil) in my opinion it is actually better and more fuel efficient then any outboard of its size! and its the cheapest four stroke! any other questions?

 

[Waterbugtoo]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

This is just a thought, but Im not sure why Briggs would step into the outboard market already being saturated as it is. Hopefully they wont pull a Sears, West Bend, JC Penny's, Montgomery Ward, Western Auto, Firestone, etc. type scenario on their customers.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

the outboard is only 700 and it is very dependable

 

[miloman]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

see you Americans are really lucky you can't get one of those up here in the Great White North I wish I could would be a good kicker where can I get them tried ebay sloopy do you know a dealer who will ship to canada

 

[steelespike]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Sloop,Just wondering what boat you run your motor on?Does it seem to respond like a typical <br />outboard?Any clue as to where they get the lower unit or if they make their own?

 

[plywoody]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

They are cheaper because most outboard manufacturers make at least an attempt to make their outboards resistant to salt water and its corrosive effects.<br />B & S make no such attempt, and warn prospective purchasers to not ever use them in salt water.<br />I suppose they are just fine for what they are designed to do, and at some point are disposable.<br />But like in most things in this world, you get what you pay for.<br /><br />John

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

I'll ask my dealer if he will ship up there, it would work fine in salt water, as long as you wash it down. the engine on the outboard if you buy it alone to put on a lawn mower it will cost you 350.00 I believe Briggs and Stratton does not want it used in salt water because if it is some owners will never clean it and take care of it (because allot of first time boat owners will be buying these) this engine would work great in salt water.<br />I am going to use it on my sailboat, but have tried it out on the found johnboat... it is great feels like and goes faster then the 6 evinrude I had on it earlier!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

From what I hear through the grape vine ( dad worked for Briggs for 34 years) they can't build enough of them. Pumping out 125 a day and every dealer seems to be waiting for them.<br /><br />This product is part of Briggs' new comsumer products division, where they actually make an end use product instead of just the engines.<br /><br />They should be very reliable as they are built around a decent OHV engine.<br /><br />I'm also looking at one as a kicker but want to put my hands on one before I put my money down.<br /><br />SLOOPY-- How long have you had yours?<br />Any idea what they want for a spare prop?<br /><br />Biggest ? I have is why haven't I seen it mentioned on this forum before?

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

and I think the Lower Unit was made by Merc I THINK

 

[WEH]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

I just talked with a local dealer about the B&S outboard who just talked to a distributor. The dealer says that the distributor says there are two cautions that the dealers should be giving buyers interested in the B&S 5HP outboard.<br />1. Fresh water only. (the sales literature and the owners manual states that clearly also)<br />2. No trolling. Apparently if the motor runs at low speed for an extended time it overheats. The dealer says that the distributor says these motors are intended to run a person out to the duck blind or the fishin' hole and back. Not for trolling.<br /><br />Anyone else have any info on this?<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[495v]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Now who uses a 5hp to run them anywhere? You sure ain't gonna run to fast with that. Most people buy those low rated motors for trolling don't they? How about you Sloop, have you trolled around with yours at a low idle? Has it overheated? Sounds ridiculous.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

What did they do with the rest of the lawn mower? Does it have a 21" or a 24" cut, I mean propeller? Sorry Fellas, I couldn't resist. Lots have tried the aircooled route, bad idea when youve got water to cool and smother the sound only inches away.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

I have contacted B&S technical support and asked a few ? about the outboard, such as Is horizontal transport ok?- YES. I have now asked them about the trolling/low speed issue. Will post their response in a few days.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

I have never noticed any overheating problems what so ever, I will try to over heat it tomorrow..

 

[rl29]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

^^^^^^

 

[roscoe]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Here is the reply I received from Briggs & Stratton technical support. I posed the question as stated below:<br /><br />Apparently one of your Central Distributors told a friend of mine: <br /><br />No trolling. Apparently if the motor runs at low speed for an extended time it overheats. The dealer says that the distributor says these motors are intended to run a person out to the duck blind or the fishin' hole and back. Not for trolling.<br /><br />But I have found no mention of this in any of the company released data or on the internet.<br /><br />Is this true? <br /><br />Here is their response:<br /><br /> "Response (Jeff -B & S) 12/31/2002 08:12 AM <br />Yes, the engine is designed to receive the best cooling at higher RPMs. We do not recommend "trolling" for an extended amount of time.<br />This will cause overheating." <br /><br />If anyone wants or needs to confirm this they can thru the B&S web page, contact page, tech support. Sounds like this motor would still make agood choice for the occasional fisherman/duck hunter, kicker motor, etc., But not for the all day troller.

 

[WEH]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

Thanks, roscoe, for confirming that. I didn't know if I got the straight skinny or not.<br /><br />I am interested to get sloopy's report - if he could get his to overheat and how easy / difficult is is - if he did.<br /><br />I thought I was interested in getting one but now I'll have to think about it. This seems to me to be something of a design flaw, or is it just normal for air-cooled engines?<br /><br />Any other information anyone has would be helpful.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard

I guess I'm looking for a motor I can use to troll with as much as one to get me home in emergency situation. I am now leaning toward a 2 cycle from the iboats site. Will be able to use same fuel as big motor and motor will have a proven track record.