I agree with Alan on most of his points, especially the environmentally related ones, which are certainly things to carefully consider.

I have a Mercury 4 hp much like Alan's was, except it has a long shaft. Ours has always been easy to start, runs reliably at low speeds, and has never given us the exhaust smoke in the motor well that Alan had. We get up to hull speed at around 1/2-2/3 throttle after which the churning of all that water gives you nothing in return for the frenzy and noise. I'd have gone with the 4 stroke too but I could not find one that would fit into our already completed deck cutout. When I was looking they were all bigger than a 2 stroke. Take a tape measure when you go shopping.

"Read this soon before it gets deleted." (lol) Indeed!

Dale

Edited by author 07-03-2009 09:28 AM
Bob L

Nissan, Tohatsu and Mercury outboards of the size we are talking about are all made by Tohatsu. So there is no difference between the brands except for the paint job and decals. So my switch was to go to the four-cycle engine. A driver for this was to cut down on the smoke that came up from the motor well when I was not in gear or moving at slow speeds. The motors have two ports in the lower unit for exhausting the gas. One is through the prop and the other is higher up in the lower unit and above the water line. When the prop is not rotating or doing so slowly most or all of the gas is discharged through the upper port where it then comes up the motor well and into your face. The exhaust for the four-stroke engine follows the same path but of course with much less smoke.

I am very happy I made the change for the following reasons:

1. The exhaust problem just stated
2. The unit uses much less gas
3. I don’t need to bother with mixing gas
4. It is quieter
5. It starts easier
6. I am not discharging oil into the river
7. I picked up a few more horsepower (4 to 6 hp) with no increase in size.
8. The fellow I got it from (slightly used) hasn’t sent me a bill yet (I have asked for one).

Regarding number 7, the powerhead for a four cycle engine is larger but they don’t have internal gas tanks so the outside dimensions of the motor don’t change much.

One reason I initially bought a two stroke was I didn’t want to be forced to use an external tank. But I soon bought an external tank. I moor my boat and I really liked taking the gas with me when I left (i.e., out of the boat).

My new motor also has a long shaft but the regular length of the Mercury worked fine.

Read this soon before it gets deleted.

Here's an interesting article by James McMullen about sailing techniques he uses on his Caledonia Yawl. I think it should apply to yawls in general, even ones with jib sails.(?)

Those who have sailed their boats more than I have can comment.

http://www.mavc2002.com/cyforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=668

Dale

      Alan I noticed in reading a few back messages yesterday that you recently changed your 4 HP Mercury 2 stroke outboard for a 4 stroke Nissan. I am thinking of getting a 4 or 5 HP Mercury 2 stroke outboard mostly because they are about the lightest outboard available in the 4-5 HP range, and Dale has given his Mercury a pretty good write up. They are 20 kg which compares with most 4 stroke outboards at about 25 kg, and weight getting it in and out etc., is an important factor for me.
      Before making any decisions though, can you please tell me what you thought of the 2 stroke Mercury, and why you made the change ? Thanks, Bob.

Good work there, Bob and Dale.
I agree with Bob about photos on the QT.
That "Huon Seal" looks a fine boat.
Ian

       Well that's an excellent outcome and I feel the time spent has been worth it. Thanks Dale for your part too, as usual. No, I wasn't the least bit annoyed with you or anyone ( I realise tongue in cheek); it was more mystified as to how all these messages could be deleted. I wasn't even sure just who was the "topic administrator". It first came about when I was using the Index to find out more about something, and called up a message number that turned out to be deleted. I knew it wasn't deleted when I drew up the Index.
       I have just checked on one of two of the early messages and they have in fact been restored. It is nice to know that QT replied to Dale so quickly.
       Re Dale's suggestion on pictures for our site, I have just recently been looking more at the Wooden Boat Forum ( in connection with Huon Seal ) and have noticed how they can illustrate a point straight away with a photo or two accompanying the text. I think that could be a considerable help for us sometimes, and would be in favour of it, though depending on cost.

Good Day All!

I'd just like to update everyone on some weirdness on the discussion that was recently spotted by Bob.

It seems that 65 of Alan's messages were "deleted by the topic administrator", me, for no apparent reason. I think Bob was bit annoyed (tongue firmly in cheek, here) that I'd do such a thing. I assured him it wasn't me (I was away at the time) and he then provided a list of the missing messages, which I forwarded on to the QT people.

In minutes they were back to me saying it was probably a malfunctioning virus scan, as they had no problem with Alan's name or message content. So the messages have been restored (though I haven't checked yet) and all seems to be fine again. Apparently, the QT spam checker is also a "topic administrator"!

I must thank Bob for his vigilance and especially for his efforts (once again) to make this discussion a better experience for all of us. Thanks, Bob!

So if you notice any of our past posts disappearing, let me know because it seems to be quite easy to reverse.

I was very impressed with how quickly the QT people acted on this and I may consider upgrading the service for more functionality. Pictures, anyone?

Cheers,

Dale

            Rang Rob last night. The deal is done, and Bruce the owner is bringing "Huon Seal" down from Sydney, due to arrive in Portland on Wednesday night and stay a day or two. We go sailing on Thursday weather permitting. Ripper. From the photos she looks a very nice boat. Rob told me she was built in Tasmania. Later that rang a bell, and I looked up some back photos, and sure enough there she was at the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival in 2001. I wasn't there but the 3 photos were given to me by a friend. A bow sprit has been added since for a cutter rig. Will keep you posted.
           Dale, good luck for some sunny weather now. Has the ice broken yet? Hope you can use some of your freedom with Alistego soon.

Small world indeed. If the boat does come to Portland you guys HAVE to get a picture of your two boats sailing together. That would be too cool.

Today and tomorrow with students, then as Mel Gibson said: "Frrreeeeeeeeddddooooommmm"!

Dale

    Hi Dale,
            Yes indeed it is my Portland. Couldn't believe it. What a world we live in that you are telling me from Canada! I read the Wooden Boat Forum and it is a bloke I know. From that read he has yet to make up his mind, but I did know he was looking for a gaff rigged boat. We have visitors right now but will contact him soon.

Yet another Gray Seal thread from the WoodenBoat forum:

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98423

This one being relocated to Portland. I wonder if that's Bob's Portland?

Keep well, all.

Dale

It means a nutshell.There are many fairy tales with a nutshell as a pleasant environment for being there some time. It must be nice.
Edwin

Your hull looks good, Edwin.
What does the name "de Notedop" mean, please?
Regards,
Ian (NZ)

I'm suprised nobody knows about the pre-existence of my Eun mara, except some men on the other side of the ocean and further. If I want to show friends something of my project: they first have to visit one of the sites. then they know where I'm heading for. And recently there is a picture fom my project on the web. that's nice. every project has some key-points: buying the plans, starting, turnng her over, launching etc. put it on the web is also one, thanks Richard.

Edwin