Re: To buy or not to buy a Briggs and Stratton 5hp
HERE"S THE BEEF!<br /><br />Okay... I finally got my Briggs. I had a very hard time finding any performance information so I feel obligated to post it.<br /><br />I have a 12.5 foot homemade jon boat, flat bottom, square stem, with a waterline width of just under 4 feet max.<br /><br />Boat 130lbs.<br />Motor and gas 80lbs.<br />Me 200lbs.<br />anchor 5lbs.<br />misc 5lbs.<br /><br />total approx 420 lbs.<br /><br />Using motor at 4500ft altitude with 85 octane, I figure 4.5hp actual output.<br /><br />Using GPS data on slow moving river...<br /><br />9.7mph up stream, 10.7 downstream. Boat did not plane very well... nose in the air. I was sitting as far forward as I could on the floor and still reach the tiller.<br /><br />With another 30lbs of tire chains in the front of the boat (all I had with me), I could get 11.5mph on the downstream side. Nose still in air.<br /><br />Will do 8mph or so at 1/3-1/2 throttle. Very nice at this speed.<br /><br />I'll agree that idle speed is kind of fast at 3.2mph. That is with the motor just put-putting along.<br /><br />I am confident I can get at least 14mph out of it when I finish my tiller extension, can sit in the middle seat, can space the motor up another inch or so, and use higher octane fuel.<br /><br />Boat was almost fast enough to plane, but weight was all wrong... I will post more after my next test.<br /><br />Motor will hold itself in the up position(no lock in up position) for rowing through the shallow areas.<br /><br />As far as noise... I really didn't think it was a problem, but I work around machinery often and haven't really experienced other outboards. I thought it was reasonably quiet, but did not have to converse.<br /><br />Vibration... Resonates at certain RPM's, but can idle smooth, half throttle smooth, and fast is smooth (no worse than my motorbike).<br /><br />overall am very happy with purchase. I will be lucky to get out on the water ten times a year so cheap and easy care was a big plus.<br /><br />WARNING... When changing the trim or tilting the motor for any reason... turn off the fuel valve or turn motor as if turning boat left (carb on bottom)... otherwise motor will flood... hard to start.<br /><br />For the money... so far... I can't complain. And after taking it out in freezing temps I didn't have to winterize it. Hit ground three times (hey... I'm new at this), once at full throttle. No noted damage except paint chipped off prop and skeg.<br /><br />I'd certainly recommend it for the part-timer... and if you've been working on B&S engines all your life, you'll have it made. I think I have enough parts already in the garage to rebuild the thing in 10 years or so. Just remember, it is what it is... a cheap outboard with a good motor. I belive it will stand up to it's motto... "Priced to get you out there, built to get you back." Don't expect a Mercedes, maybe a Chevy Cavalier. Will get the job done, but won't make you gloat.<br /><br />Oh... my gas tank handle was on the same side as the cap(?). Fuel line too short to reach front of boat (easy fix).<br /><br />Hope it helps.<br /><br />-Tim
