Boat engines - a necessary evil here.

[gchaban]

Cheers all,

I'm currently re-habbing from a nasty ski accident up here, near Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada.

Here's my challenge. I'm coming off a broken wrist and collar bone. My dear wife thinks my 1981 7.5 HP Evinrude will be to much for me to pull start this season. (The guess is that I'll be "normal" in 3 or 4 months -- May - the start of the season up here!)

I'm sailing a 22 foot keel boat (Edel 665) -- 1981 and weighs about 3000lbs. The engine is more than enough power -- but the concern is the pull start mechanism.

Really, the motor is just used for getting in and out of the harbour....but does supply enough power when it gets ugly. Georgian Bay is an awesome body of water...but it can get really ugly really fast. To that end, I need something as strong but perhaps with an electric start motor.

Anyone of you have a suggestion or two? As well, something that won't cost more than this lovely old piece of fibreglass.

Oh yes, Red Eddy is not set up for shore power or any electrical.

Cheers,

Greg Chaban
Red Eddy
Meaford, Ontario
Canada.

[wdscobie]

in a couple of months, with dr. approval, try starting your outboard. have a friend help set up the motor with a hose water attchement to the water intake.

if you can start the motor, or not, you have your answer.

not sure the smallest motor available with electric start ... i believe the honda 9.9 has an electric start option.

an electric motor would require at least two group 24, if in larger, batteries and itself need to be one of the very powerful types. two batteries, wiring and the motor may be as much money as a honda 9.9.

[colinmc151]

in a couple of months, with dr. approval, try starting your outboard. have a friend help set up the motor with a hose water attchement to the water intake.

if you can start the motor, or not, you have your answer.

not sure the smallest motor available with electric start ... i believe the honda 9.9 has an electric start option.

an electric motor would require at least two group 24, if in larger, batteries and itself need to be one of the very powerful types. two batteries, wiring and the motor may be as much money as a honda 9.9.

There are versions of the Honda BF9.9 that offer electric start, but electric start is also offered on versions of the Honda BF8 (8 HP). Details to be seen here : http://marine.honda.com/Products/modeldetail/BF8 . As well Mercury offers an electric start 8 HP model : http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/ou ... kes/8-9.9/ . From a 7.5 to an 8 not much of a jump. Cost may be another issue for the original poster...

[gchaban]

Thanks folks. As of today (March 12) I'm able to raise my right arm up over my shoulder. Not quickly or smoothly...but getting there.

My guess is that my shoulder (and me) will go under the knife this summer.

I think that this summer I might be a landlubber. Perhaps I'll pop down and sign on with a couple of racers and get my fix that way.

Cheers,

Greg