Outboard motor class syllabus

[Chuck Hawley]

You may want to start with the information in US Powerboating's Start Powerboating Right! Your club teaches powerboating using this book and syllabus, and it should provide 50-70% of the information your class needs.

Chuck

[Charlie]

Cadence. Kids will be high school age. Andy Ess I am not teaching them how to drive the boats but how to work on the engine. Chuck I will look into that pamphlet.

[Chuck Hawley]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I am not teaching them how to drive the boats but how to work on the engine. Chuck I will look into that pamphlet.

I think you'll find Chapter 2 on OB Engines to be a pretty good summary of what you need to teach. It focuses on parts of the engine, 2-stroke vs 4-stroke, starting procedure, and so forth. Craig Perez might be a resource. Incidentally, I have some out-of-date books that I'd send you for free that accompany the course. I think I have four copies.

Chuck

[Bruce K]

Teach them to change all S/S bolts that are threaded into aluminium, to studs with nuts, then when undoing later, especially if the motor has had a "swim" they can be undone without breaking off in the Al casting. I don't understand why all outboard manufacturers use bolts, instead of studs, maybe cheaper? I always do this with all new outboards I purchase, never had bolts break!

[anacapaisland42]

I would emphasize the importance of using non-ethanol fuel......it's a killer....maybe cover fuel storage since I guess that most outboards spend most of their life just sitting around.
Bill


I suggest a bit of discussion around the probable failures due to ethanol in older motors.

[liquidice]

I like the ‘get em started’ idea. If you wanted to really make an impact, go on a craigslist spree and get a pile of fixer uppers going for the lads/lasses to awaken! I got a nice side biz rocking doing just that, getting estate sale outboards and fixing and selling, but mainly I teach grade school. This sounds superb. A great replacement for shop class.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Cadence. Kids will be high school age. Andy Ess I am not teaching them how to drive the boats but how to work on the engine. Chuck I will look into that pamphlet.

The reason I asked age was because it sounded like you were aiming toward rebuilding a OB. Even at HS age your list sounds like you would require a great deal of time and probably an OB to pull apart.
If you can find one with a shear pin I want it. I recall as a kid keeping them and cotter pins in a water tight baby food jar along with a pair of pliers in a small forepeak.

[AndyEss]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Cadence. Kids will be high school age. Andy Ess I am not teaching them how to drive the boats but how to work on the engine. Chuck I will look into that pamphlet.

Safety around a scythe whirling at hundreds of rpm should be fundamental to any course work on rotating machinery. I wasn't proposing you give seamanship and conning lessons.
Next time dont ask for free advice if you are closed minded to posters on an open forum.
BTW, I had a friend whose 12 year old fell off the pontoon boat they were on and was mangled and jammed into the prop for over 10 minutes. The only reason he survived (with a bit a brain damage) was they were boating in a cold northern inland lake. I work at construction sites all around the world - and always have respect for high speed, totally exposed rotating parts.
Next piece of advice - stay away from instructing kids if you think safety isn't the most important part of instruction.
Have a nice life since I won't be talking to you again.

[john61ct]

Touchy much?

Seems very possible he just misunderstood your initial, very terse suggestion.