Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share you ideas and experiences.
Anyone have any experience with these?I've got one. It's a 2 cycle outboard roughtly the size of a chainsaw motor and claims about 3.5hp. Very light, simple etc. for a tiny craft needing basic propulsion (supposedly).
Problem is, mine doesn't push my small sailboat at all. The prop spins furiously and churns up the water while the engine whines loudly (like a chainsaw). It runs good and the prop spins (good shear pin etc) but I'm talking no movement here... I can even hold the motor in my hands, submerge it running and feel no thrust against my arms (don't try this at home!).
Are these little things a joke or is there something weird about mine... I'm curious if anybody else has had any experience with these and if they can actually push a boat?
Their website is below.
Thanx!
Follow Ups:
I had a similar engine in the mid 80's it was marketed by AquaBug but manufactured by Tanaka. A friend bought it from me a few years ago and as of this past September was still running fine. My model had a centrifugal clutch arrangement that allowed the motor to operate at high rpms but maintain a very slow speed. This made it a good little fishing auxiliary as it avoided plug fouling at very low trolling speeds. There's no external indication the engine has this centrifugal clutch, and if the clutch is shot this engine would probably go nowhere fast while revving like hell.
I would try and pull the lower unit off and make sure the drive splines are not stripped with this condition it can still turn the prop but has no power.
I JUST STARTED USING A TANAKA 175 OUTBOARD MOTOR ON A 12FT. BOAT. AT 2 or 3 mph the motor pushes the boat satisfactorly. As I try to increase the speed the prop cavitaties, along with a large increase in the rpm. To increase the thrust for a boat that is larger than the outboard was designed for the prop diameter must be increase along with a decrease in the pitch. By making these changes the motor could still develope the rated 1.75 H.P. at 8,000 RPM. I am currently trying to find a prop to replace the 3-blade; 6.85" dia.; 4.09" pitch prop that came with the motor. Your assistance in location a prop that would work with this motor would be appreciated.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: