Electric start on outboard

[Wansworth]

Going to look at a yacht with an electric start outboard,is this a good thing or just another complication with damp etc

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I've had it on a couple of 10 hp engines. It's great. Never needed any maintenance or repair. Never had any damp problems. Always worked. 10 hp is probably about the lower limit for it being worthwhile.

 

[Wansworth]

I've had it on a couple of 10 hp engines. It's great. Never needed any maintenance or repair. Never had any damp problems. Always worked. 10 hp is probably about the lower limit for it being worthwhile.

Ok that’s encouraging,thanks

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I used to run a RIB with twin 80 Hp outboards, glad they had electric starts ? Seriously though it was out in all weathers had two years bearthed on the water and never failed to start.

 

[Wansworth]

I used to run a RIB with twin 80 Hp outboards, glad they had electric starts ? Seriously though it was out in all weathers had two years bearthed on the water and never failed to start.

Thanks

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Ok that’s encouraging,thanks

It also means that the engine will already have a regulator/rectifier on its charging system connected directly to a battery which otherwise it might not have. The output is usually in the 6 to 12 Amp range which while not a lot is usually sufficient for a small boat, especially with the addition of a solar panel.

 

[Wansworth]

It also means that the engine will already have a regulator/rectifier on its charging system connected directly to a battery which otherwise it might not have. The output is usually in the 6 to 12 Amp range which while not a lot is usually sufficient for a small boat, especially with the addition of a solar panel.

Ok bythe looks of it it’s a very simple little boat,yet to see it but wanted to be forward,thanks

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Ok bythe looks of it it’s a very simple little boat,yet to see it but wanted to be forward,thanks

I reckon that an electric start on an outboard that is a small sailing boat's main engine is one of the features that takes it from being an inferior option compared to an inboard diesel to a perfectly liveable useable engine. The other features being 4-stroke - for reduced fuel consumption and increased reliability - and an external tank.

 

[Boathook]

30hp Honda and electric start. Never a problem. Same with all previous outboards with electric start over last 40 years. Battery problems is another story, but that can apply to any engine.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Sounds like a good idea as long as a the hand start option is still usable . I find larger outboards are easier to pull start than some of the small ones which can have a nasty kick.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I’ve got a twin engine rib, you wouldn’t want to pull start those, and a Honda 15, electric start, power trim. I wouldn‘t have it any other way. Outboard power also means no prop in the water when sailing, and, potentially, steerable thrust.

 

[NealB]

We had a 9.9hp high thrust Yamaha (with extra long shaft) on our Comanche catamaran.

A lovely engine.

In the ten years that we had that boat, the electric start was never a problem.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Sounds like a good idea as long as a the hand start option is still usable . I find larger outboards are easier to pull start than some of the small ones which can have a nasty kick.

That is true on our 15, it’s easier than a 4hp 2 stroke we have. But over a certain size, the emergency start cord is just that. I can tell you that a V6 yamaha is a pig to pull start. They seem to like to be spun quite fast. Still, I doubt that concerns Wansworth, sounds like he’s buying himself a nice catamaran with a 9.9 on the back.

 

[Wansworth]

That is true on our 15, it’s easier than a 4hp 2 stroke we have. But over a certain size, the emergency start cord is just that. I can tell you that a V6 yamaha is a pig to pull start. They seem to like to be spun quite fast. Still, I doubt that concerns Wansworth, sounds like he’s buying himself a nice catamaran with a 9.9 on the back.

?

 

[Wansworth]

Thanks for replies .

 

[DownWest]

Surprised that the Honorable Member for Galicia is thinking of a cat?? Doesn't sound like him at all..

 

[Wansworth]

Surprised that the Honorable Member for Galicia is thinking of a cat?? Doesn't sound like him at all..

Bit of a surprise forme as well?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Bit of a surprise forme as well?

I thought you’d be off to Greece.

more seriously, I wish you well with this boat, and don't let the outboard put you off. They do have their drawbacks, but these are entirely offset by their advantages on small boats.

 

[Neeves]

Seawind 1000 (10m cats) were always powered by outboards (and they made 100s) but the bigger cats with in-boards.

Jonathan