Outboard Complexity

[robert graham]

I know this is my age talking, but it seems like all the outboard motors have become more and more complex, with multiple filters,screens, fuel pumps, oxygen sensors, balancers, etc.,etc., to the point that the average shade tree mechanic either can't or won't, due to lack of knowledge or fear of screwing up, attemp to repair these motors. My old 90C Yamaha 2 stroke, premix seems to work so darn well, dead easy to maintain, lightweight(261lbs), dependable, fairly quiet, fairly fuel efficient. Do you think the old, simple, user-friendly, easy to maintain and repair outboards will ever return...maybe not, so I'll stand pat with what I've got!....the Geezer

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Outboard Complexity

New motors are more complex than 2 strokes because have a ton of parts that 2 strokes don't use, as long as 2 strokes are not banned worldwide will remain simple compared to EFI, TLD and 4 strokes more complex brothers which are electronically control, if you don't happen to have the PC and program to fine tune the beast, you're dead. That's why will remain a 2 stroke lover.

Happy Boating

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard Complexity

same with cars and coffeepots

no, the simpler ones won't return. But overall I think the newer outboards are more reliable; I agree they are harder to fix when they have issues.

My first car, a 68 mustang, was where I learned to work on motors some. Could do anything. I loved my 1981 landcruiser b/c it was intentionally made simple; you could fix anything with the tool kit under the seat--like you'd have to do out in the bush somewhere. Other 1981 cars were not fixer-friendly. A mid-80's Ford f150 is half-way like that. New (after 1995 in my book) cars: forget it. What do I do with a drawer full of points and plug gappers? That long screwdriver for setting the timing--by ear?

Try to fix something as simple as an electric switch in a modern coffee pot? you can't even get in them anymore. Throw it away and get another.

My children think it's "pretty good" if their $200 cell phone ipad itunes whatever lasts over 2 years. Meanwhile I have the black rotary phone from the 1960's doing just fine, for all the $40 it costs new. Works in a power outage, too.

That's why I shop at yard sales, and keep my parents' old stuff around!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Outboard Complexity

Amen!
Well, except for the parent thing - Thats long past :redface:

 

[Philster]

Re: Outboard Complexity

My TWO STROKER is incredibly complex and highly engineered. Y'aint touching this puppy under the tree with your socket wrenches. Forget it. It's electronic wizadry and air compressors, direct injection, and it meets.... TA DA... Low Emmissions requirements AND cranks out 4-6 MPG even packing 300+ HP.

Yeah... TWO stroker.

Say what? To protect our waters and air, this sucker is low emissions and burns as little fuel as possible. It takes the latest technology and precision engineering to make that happen.

So, if you want a smokey, drippy, stinking hog of a motor that you can work on, find an older 2-stroker, stink up the planet, pollute the seas and waste fuel, then fix it in your back yard! Ruining the earth: Good times!

BAH! These kids today with their fancy shmancy high tech engines. When I was a kid, we ruined the planet, AND WE LIKE IT THAT WAY.



BTW, I am 45.

 

[JB]

Re: Outboard Complexity

If we found a way to make our old, simple, outboards run on only alcohol and biodegradable oil (castor oil come to mind) we could save them. That is just JB's pipe dream. I ran my racing karts on methanol and castor oil (well, plus some ether and nitro-methane).

All other ways to make them run clean are ways to make them more complex, heavier, and much more expensive to own and maintain.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard Complexity

well for some of us, who settled in the east coast waters and marshes in the 1600 and 1700's to escape the King's laws (death penalty for killing his deer to feed our starving families) we are entrenched in our "God-given right to plunder."


Trivia bonus: "caught red handed" was a poacher caught with the blod of the illegal game on his hands. And an "outlaw" was a guy who was ID'd or caught poaching and escaped, and had to live out in the woods from then on

 

[Philster]

Re: Outboard Complexity

Get off my lawn you little sons of a mother! You got no right to plunder over here! Go plunder in front of your own houses!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Outboard Complexity

Well, I guess Outboards will never go back to light, simple and fairly inexpensive....looks like heavy, complex and very expensive. I need an outboard that looks mechanically like a cross between a Ford 8N Tractor, a Model T, and a 350 Chevy V8!....guess it ain't gonna happen!

 

[Philster]

Re: Outboard Complexity

Well, maybe not a 5.7 Chevy V8 outboard, but how about a 6.2 Chevy outboard? ​

Chevy V8 outboard? CHECK
Black and spartan like a Model T? CHECK
Pipes stacked up like a tractor? CHECK

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Outboard Complexity

I guess the white bracing in the back is a wheelie bar or should I say "flipsy bar". Cool setup. Must be a blast to drive.

 

[JB]

Re: Outboard Complexity

EEEEEK!!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Outboard Complexity

Yep, that's just what I had in mind!.....perfect to hang on the back of my jon boat!