Briggs and Stratton

[Drowned Rat]

Hi all. I just got one of these motors and was wondering what the latest word is on them. Pros, cons... I know there are old posts on these engines, just wondering how some of them are holding up. Sloopy, I remember you posting a while back that you had a problem with your briggs lower unit, it cracked or something. Did you ever resolve that issue? Thanks for your comments.<br />

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

I'd love to hear more about these engines. My initial impression is that they look noisy and fragile in part due to no water cooling and quite a bit of exposed little plastic parts. They just don't look like they can take much punishment.<br /><br />Probably great for the Sunday type boater...

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

I would tend to agree with you cobra. I have been using mine on a 17 foot canoe, and I'm real careful with the motor. I've never worried so much about an outboard as I do this one. So far though no problems after maybe 20 hours.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Does anyone else have recent experience with these motors?

 

[flydangler]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Does anyone else have recent experience with these motors?

Is the silence on this ominous? <br /><br />Where's Sloopy? Ain't he been playing a lot with one of these things?

 

[ted655]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

I talked to a friend about his. He runs it wide open (like he has his lawnmower for years). Goes where he wants, but carries his cell phone. Has had no major breakdowns. He says he FINALLY got usted to the sound he describes as dropping ice into a blender. He laughs and says the motor turns heads and acts a collision avoidence system at the same time. He says he is looking forward to the rebuild costs.<br /> This was 4 months ago and he has been wintered up. I may get a update this spring.

 

[jtim]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Hey Drowned Rat! You said you used the B/S on a 17 ft canoe. How does it perform? Speed? I use a 5 hp Gamefisher that will push my 17 ft Osage around 9.5 mph. Can I expect the same from the B/S? <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Tim

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

???.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Hi there Tim. This B&S is much stronger that your average 5 hp. motor. I get 15mph with just me and my dog in the canoe. I asked B&S if this engine is actually a 5hp and they said it is although I am sceptical. It's an Intek engine and the smallest Intek they make is 8hp so go figure?? My canoe is an Old Town Discovery Sport and it weighs 110lbs. Very happy with it so far, but it makes me nervous. Hope this helps.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

When I first bought my B&S outboard last year it would push a 4-man Lowe jonboat to about 15.5mph with just me in it. Now the power is down and I usually see about 12-13mph. <br /><br />If I had to do things over again I would try and find a decent 9.9 2-stroke for about the same price. They're just so darn rare around here...no one wants to give them up.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Hey Chris. Even 12 to 13 is good for a 5hp wouldn't you say? I agree though. If I could go back, I would get a 5 to 8 hp 2 stroke. Oh well. The B&S hasn't let me down yet, but I'm waiting. Still a descent buy at $600.

 

[DJ]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

BIG difference between a 5 hp and a 9.9 2-stroke. 9.9's have always been kind of "hot rods" for their size.<br /><br />Carl Keikhaefer (founder of Mercury Marine) started all of that nonsense a by blatantly lying about the output of his 10's.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

The engine is perfect, I have had mine running with milky white oil and it never skipped a beat. The problem with the Outboard it self is the engine mount (I am on my fourth replacement!) and the speed control.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

I would not recommend this engine for any one pushing heavy loads. I would also never go in reverse with it.

 

[Darren71]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I hadn't seen this particular issue mentioned.<br /><br />I bought one last summer. I might as well have put the $700 in a pile and burned it.<br /><br />I had one in the camouflage version on a 12' v-bottom that I use for duck hunting. <br /><br />The main problem I've had is the design of the cowl funnels water into the intake. If you get caught sitting in the rain (of course, the best duck hunting weather), be ready for a battle to get it to run again. <br /><br />I was out in a light drizzle, and the thing wouldn't start after being in the duck blind for half a day. It doesn't take much to get the thing too wet to run. Light drizzle, 85# Labrador Retriever shaking off, etc.<br /><br />Maybe for recreational boating, or for fishing they would be ok. Definitely not for duck hunting, though. Even though they advertize the camouflage version for duck hunters.<br /><br />I've heard of people buying outboard covers, spraying them with Scotchgard, and putting them on to eliminate the problem while they're hunting. I'm not about to f**k around with that, though.<br /><br />Not to mention it's heavy. At least compared to my 5hp Eskas. <br /><br />Do a search for "refuge forums". There are dozens of people on the duck hunters' forum that have had this same problem.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

D71. Check this out. web page <br /><br />The guy's handle is "briggsvictim". He's pretty bitter about it. I've had mine out in a monsoon and it never coughed, it just keeps going. I can't explain it, but you're right about there being alot of complaints on this issue.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Briggs and Stratton

I saw one on the water and would take a 2-stroke any day!!! That thing was so loud. If you like to fish you better bring some oars cuz all the fish are gonna run when they here that thing pull up.