Outboard Mix

[lydiamight]

I have on board the following which run on two stroke mix:
Generator 50:1
Mariner 4hp outboard 50:1
Yamaha Malta Outboard 100:1
Will there be a problem if I run the Yamaha on 50:1 mix rather than having two cans of petrol on board?

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[Joe_Cole]

It will smoke a little more and the plugs will need cleaning more often, but it should be OK. You may find tick-over a little "lumpy"

Joe

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[Robin]

Silly question but why 2 outboards of a similar size on a yacht?

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[cliff]

Not so silly really. I my case I carry (and use) two tenders (three to 5 "crew" plus me) although I carry two identical 4 strokes rather than two different engines so no need to worry about fuel mixes

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[andyorr]

My Mercury 2.5 choked up completely (fouled plug) on 50:1, on my way back to shore from my mooring in the dark against the tide! I won't make that mistake again. So, I would say keep 2 cans marked differently.

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[andyorr]

My Mercury 2.5 choked up completely (fouled plug) on 50:1, on my way back to shore from my mooring in the dark against the tide! I won't make that mistake again. So, I would say keep 2 cans marked differently.

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[jerryat]

Hi Lydiamight,

I don't know about the Malta o/b specifically, but several outboard engineers have told me that using 50:1 instead of 100:1 will substantially increase the life of the engine. Certainly folowwing this advice, my baby Mariner was still going strong after 17 years when I sold it. I still use 50:1 in my 'new' Yamaha, and yes, it does smoke a tiny bit more, but that's a very modest price to pay to avoid paying an immodest one for early replacement.

If your Malta gives all sorts of starting/idling problems as suggested by the experience of other posters, then you may feel it not to be worth it. However, be assured that you will do no damage whatsoever to the engine using the richer mix - quite the contrary!

Good sailing!

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[willothewisp]

I owned a Malta before changing to a 4-stroke , and whenever I got the mixture even the teensiest bit on the rich side, my son would complain about it not reaching its full revs. If all you want is to plod from your mooring to the shore, I suppose it's alright, although you would have to clean your sparkplug regularly.
It won't do any harm.

Coby


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