>Now I have to choose a new motor and you guys got me all
>flustered with the shear pin panic...
>I had been considering a Tohatsu, but don't know if I can
>afford the shear pins (Grin). I suspect that there a lot of
>well behaving Tohatsus out there -- we just don't hear about
>them. How about some encouraging comments about motors and
>some recommendations -- I plan to buy new and am considering
>either a 3.5 or 5hp (no shear pin!) Tohatsu or American look
>alike..
>Any comments, observations or recommendations? ---Tohatsu
>or otherwise. Are the Tohatsu's reasonably quiet?
>Regards
>Rye Gewalt ....Champagne(Honda)tastes,
>Beer(Tohatsu)budget......
>Springfield VA
Rye, For about three years I have been using a bought - new HONDA 5 HP /
4 cycle outboard. Although at 62 pounds it was a bit heavy hanging on the
stern of my previous 1994 P - 15 it has performed extremely well. It is
_ really _ great not having to mess with gas/oil mix...it is good
environmentally, and I'm ready for any future laws regarding possible
banning of 2 cycle engines.
I like the F-N-R gears and the remote 3 gallon gas tank that runs me a
cruising speed about 10 hours at least.
This engine is a bit noiser then I expected [ for a 4 cycle ] and also as a
one - cylinder engine there is some shaking especially at idle rpms.
I'm about 90 % in rivers wherein especially during spring tides, there is
considerable floating junk in the water...[ like once a floating park bench
in the Delaware River ! ] . In three years I have only once sheared a
shear pin and that was by my motoring in gear too close to a shore and the
prop hit an unforgiving submerged rock! I do go to idle and neutral
for a moment before changing gears and have had no shear pin problems. I
also now am more careful when trying to beach my boat [ or tie up close to
a shore ]...like...keep it in idle...and sometimes I kill the engine and
use a long pole just like in Venice ! I have to use these possibly
unusual techniques as I cannot tilt up my engine in the boat's motor
well.
I have about 200 hours now of running time with no problems.
Bill Zeitler
A Potterer at heart
Now " driving " a converted Bay Hen
Wilmington, Delaware
PS: You might want to be sure your P - 19 transom is strong enough to
take whatever engine you hang on there. Some P -19 sailors may [ ;-D> ]
have advise on this! ;-D>