Any Girls Start and Operate the 4 Cycle Honda 2hp Outboard?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

If your outboard takes 20 pulls you have the wrong technique or you need to do some maintenance.

Or fresh gasoline. Four-strokes don't like anything with ethanol more than a month old.

[Kettlewell]

Like anything, practice makes perfect. Long before my kids could actually start the dinghy motor by themselves they wanted to steer so I would let them do that with a close eye on what was happening. Of course, all along the way, even from before they could steer, they were receiving the safety messages about how to use the dink and motor. There are a lot of cruising kids out there that can handle a boat and motor better than most adults, so it really isn't a matter of age, but a matter of training and skill. I'll never forget having an 8-year old show up one day with his 6-year old brother in their little motorized dink. Looked like two old salts the way they handled the boat, the motor, and the lines. Knew exactly what they were doing. The parents were nowhere in sight. I will agree, if they can't start it reliably they shouldn't be headed off on their own.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Seafarer24

I plan on replacing my Mercury 2.5HP 2-stroke with the Honda B2FD 4-stroke just to get a simpler motor. Already overheated and cracked the head on the Mercury once because the lousy impeller lost a limb.

Huh??? Just how is a four stroke simpler than a two stroke?

And does not the 4/s have an impeller that can fail and cause overheating?

I don't understand your thinking, so perhaps you can elaborate.

Cheers,

Jim

[Sailmonkey]

The honda 2hp is air cooled

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by atoll

we have a 25 hp on our rib,which is very hard to start if you dont use this technique due to the comperssion.

the trick is to stand up,with feet apart on the stb side of the dinghy,in your left hand grasp the pull grip,then with your right hand grasp your left as you would a golf club or pistol,pull using your hips and upperbody,as you would swinging a golf club.

my petite 54 kilo wife has no problems starting our engine with this technique

OMG, you must have the same 25hp Yamaha Enduro that we have


Nick.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

The honda 2hp is air cooled

Bingo... so, there goes the coolant pump issue, but still, the 4/s must be a more complex engine inside IMO

Cheers,

Jim

[SimonV]

8HP Evinrude 2 stroke twin 26yrs old and starts first or second pull easier than my single cylinder 2stroke 5Hp. 2 stroke is the way to go and second hand they are good value. They are a bit noisier and can be smokey but they are simple and reliable.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Free Agent

We have a 6hp Nissan outboard on the tender and my girls have a hard time pulling the starter rope to start it.

Very close to downsizing to the Honda 2 HP for several good reasons,, the most being it may be easier for the girls to start.

Any girls on here use the Honda 2 HP 4 cycle/stroke and do you have any takes?

Easy to start?
Is it noisy because it's air cooled?
Encountered any demons?

Thank you for your takes.

How old are these "girls?" 8 and 10? Or do you mean "women?"

If you mean "women," I have a 4-stroke 6 hp Tohatsu. I think it's the same as a Nissan, just different name. It's VERY easy to start.

The problem isn't with the girls. It's with the engine. Have it looked at.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I'm sorry, but I have yet to encounter any pull start engine that was "easy" to start by an adult woman, let alone a small one. From my 1/2HP weedeater on up.

Look into either a key start, or an electric motor. Much easier to use. NO yanking.

You HAVE to be kidding ...

Lift it and mount it safely on the dinghy? THAT could be hard for some women... but not start them. If they run properly, a child should be able to pull the cord.

[Free Agent]

We got the 2 hp Honda and it's a breeze to start.
The 27lbs and no ex fuel tank makes it even better.

Runs great with lot's of thrust.

Thanks for the takes.

[ddrumone]

I have a 2 hp Honda 4 stroke and it's an easy pull and it starts right up. It's not very noisy and it's only 27 pounds. I love it.

[Free Agent]

Originally Posted by ddrumone

I have a 2 hp Honda 4 stroke and it's an easy pull and it starts right up. It's not very noisy and it's only 27 pounds. I love it.

Thanks.

Amazing little motor.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Huh??? Just how is a four stroke simpler than a two stroke?

And does not the 4/s have an impeller that can fail and cause overheating?

I don't understand your thinking, so perhaps you can elaborate.

Cheers,

Jim

Sounds trivial but I hate mixing oil and external tanks. One gasoline can on deck for the generator and outboard. Any small spills evaporate quick enough.

[goboatingnow]

I once bought I think a 4 or 5 hp 4 stroke Honda. It's was my last Honda. It's was impossible to start. And I wouldn't let my young girls out in any dinghy they couldn't start.

I traded it after a week for a sweet two cylinder 9 hp Johnson. Easiest little motor to start. I switched to Yamaha engines and now I never fit anything else. I have a sweet little 2 stroke Yam 15hp. Easiest engine to start , takes about a 18 " of a pull and it's starts first time , every time, I had it laid up in my garage for 10 years and it started first pull. I love Yamaha engines.

So small two cylinder engines are IMHO much easier to start then a bigger single. ( at the time the Johnson was the only 2 cylinder 9hp that I could find )

Dave

[zooter]

Many of the engines have electric start kits or cost about $150 more when you buy new. The small battery you use will also run a sounder and nav lights. It is true that most young girls do not have the muscle tone to do a normal "arm curl" type of pull. A push button starter is way better than having your wife go over the side yanking with two hands. The Honda should have a built in compression release that makes it easier to pull than a 2 cycle. Look into adding a starter to your current engine, it might already have everything accept the start motor!