SWMBO cannot start my outboard- Help!

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Wollow

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I have a recent 6hp Yamaha outboard on my FIrst 21.7, which I have no difficulty in starting. However my wife who is average size and strength finds it impossible to start, which obviously raises safety issues.

Has anyone any suggestions apart from getting an upgraded model (wife or engine)?
 
Electric start ? Maybe electric start conversion is available for existing engine.

Send wife to gym!

Leave wife at home & get strong crew ( m or f according to personal preference)
 
Is she standing up and using both hands on the toggle?

Assuming she is right handed stand with the left side facing the engine, right hand gripping the toggle from underneath left from the top, start with the right arm fully extended and pull hard across her stomach finishing up with the toggle past the right armpit.

If that fails buy her some dumb bells.
 
Wollow said:
I have a recent 6hp Yamaha outboard on my FIrst 21.7, which I have no difficulty in starting. However my wife who is average size and strength finds it impossible to start, which obviously raises safety issues.

Has anyone any suggestions apart from getting an upgraded model (wife or engine)?
Click to expand...

This was a problem prior to having an electric start outboard on my first boat for which no solution was found. I expect your last sentence sums up the options. :)
 
Part of the problem may be that anyone hefty (the OP?) doesn't need much by way of a technique (so may not develop one, much less learn how to pass it on); someone less strong definitely would benefit from a bit of technique. The pull should be the equivalent of the 'long swinging kick' that used to start motorcycles: don't try to generate instant speed, but accelerate progressively through the stroke, using the position described by TQA.
If the engine's in good health, I can see no reason why a moderately fit woman of average size can't start it.
I think the latest Yam 6hp has automatic decompression, which should make starting easier if the OP's is so fitted.
 
SWMBO finds our current four stroke Suzuki 2.5 difficult to start. It seems to work fine about half the time as far as she is concerned. So, seeing as we spend most of out time in the summer at anchor, I've come to the conclusion that I'll replace the engine with our old two stroke 2 HP next summer. She never had a problem with that engine, it weighs a good deal less and has a sheer pin as opposed to rubber bush in the prop hub so is much easier to fix if it encounters the bottom.
 
Wollow,

this is a common problem, SWMBO is all for paying mega-bucks for an electric start lawnmower for the same reason, and I am strongly resisting.

In fact my particular SWMBO has an injured arm from a car crash before I knew her ( please note, Angus ) and when moving away from her place in the country gave away her chainsaw & strimmer as it required the gardener or me to start them; she once had the gardener start the chainsaw and walked through the village with it running, and wondered what the fuss was about ! :)

I would still say to your SWMBO though, have a few serious practice goes, imagining you were in the water and she doesn't know your PIN number.
 
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Seajet said:
I would still say to your SWMBO though, have a few serious practice goes, imagining you were in the water and she doesn't know your PIN number.
Click to expand...

Maybe some practice goes when the engine is warm and it's easier would help to build the confidence that it is possible. Adrenaline in a real emergency with a cold engine will add strength.
 
Most 2 strokes are much easier to start than 4 strokes. SWMBO struggled with our 2.3 Honda and 3.5 Suxuki but can start our 9.9 Evinrude 2 stroke relatively easily.
 
I get anyone coming onto the boat to do a MOB - me ! - drill, and show them the various safety kit in what some might call a too thorough briefing.

The current SWMBO is the only one not to get it, though conversley she's the most active DIY type one could meet; I really must find out if she has some sort of insurance on me...
 
Lazy Kipper said:
Most 2 strokes are much easier to start than 4 strokes. SWMBO struggled with our 2.3 Honda and 3.5 Suxuki but can start our 9.9 Evinrude 2 stroke relatively easily.
Click to expand...

Twin cylinders 2strokes were always easier to start . Shame the lightest and smallest twin 2t is no longer available for new sale in the UK.
 
macd said:
Part of the problem may be that anyone hefty (the OP?) doesn't need much by way of a technique (so may not develop one, much less learn how to pass it on); someone less strong definitely would benefit from a bit of technique. The pull should be the equivalent of the 'long swinging kick' that used to start motorcycles: don't try to generate instant speed, but accelerate progressively through the stroke, using the position described by TQA.
If the engine's in good health, I can see no reason why a moderately fit woman of average size can't start it.
I think the latest Yam 6hp has automatic decompression, which should make starting easier if the OP's is so fitted.
Click to expand...

That's the crux. 4 strokes need a long, steady, pull from start to finish. Anyone used to "jerking" at a 2 stroke needs to adjust their technique.
Also you need to preposition the starter cord by pulling gently until the engine passes a compression plus a bit, before letting the cord recoil and then making the "long" pull. That way you are beginning the pull at an induction stroke and not at the most difficult part (compression) of the cycle.
 
I only have used Honda 4 stroke engines in both marine obs and kart racing. Never had a problem with the smaller ob. The higher hp generator derived 4 strokes nad a simple decompression.system that allowed easier starting . I am surprised this is not a feature on higher capacity obs.
 
Cant help but think that technique is the answer.

With a small 2 T one can often just pull it straight away.
With a larger 4 Stroke that ( lack of) technique is likely to end with bruised hand as the motor comes round to a compression stroke and stops, thereby ripping the handle out of your hand.
Correct technique is of course to pull gently until resistance is felt then let the rope recoil and then pull it again but - importantly start applying pressure steadily and then increase so that you pull the motor over the first compression and it builds up speed to whiz through the next compression and hopefully start. Snatching at the pull cord is no good.
Somehow most men do this effectively without thinking and most women in my experience don't and need to be taught.(sexist generalisation i know.)
Good luck.
 
Without sounding sexist - although I probably do - ladies often don't have much of a clue whern it comes to techniques. My wife tries to pull the sheets across her body at arms length and only when I showed her how to pull a sheet with body muscles not simply arms muscles she found it much easier. I'd be surprised if she can't start the engine if she gets the right technique. If she's just using her arms to pull, then she should keep her arm closer to the centre of her body and use her hips and body muscles.
 
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