Here is an update on my Dad's old pontoon with a very low hour Honda BF40 Outboard.
The boat spent almost all its life in a fresh water like in Kentucky...under a boat house. In fact, the boat had only been out of the water twice in 15 years...both times to perform routine maintenance when I was visiting from Florida. I replaced the impeller about 5 years ago. The oil had been changed several times...but it was always an adventure because everything was always done at dockside. My dad died in October and left the boat to me; so, I drove up to Kentucky and brought her back with me to Florida. I have not used at all since
Today I decided to get into the motor a little bit. I changed the oil, put new plugs in her, and changed the fuel filter. Then, I was going to tackle the lower unit and change the impeller again. I unbolted the lower unit (YES, even the bolt under the trim tab) and it would NOT DROP. I mean, it was like it was welded together. I broke out the rubber mallet and wooden block, and smacked the **** out of it. Nothing! So, remembering what I had read here on the Iboats forums, I lowered the motor and turned her over a few times. Finally I hear a "Clunk" and it finally fell out. I was happy about that.
I was more than surprised to find corrosion throughout the lower unit. Looked like the barnicles we see here in Florida. It all scraped off, and I was able to change the impeller witout incident, but I am wondering how the Old Honda is going to handle the brackish water we have here in Florida? Other than that, the motor looks almost new...I am a little perplexed though.
The boat spent almost all its life in a fresh water like in Kentucky...under a boat house. In fact, the boat had only been out of the water twice in 15 years...both times to perform routine maintenance when I was visiting from Florida. I replaced the impeller about 5 years ago. The oil had been changed several times...but it was always an adventure because everything was always done at dockside. My dad died in October and left the boat to me; so, I drove up to Kentucky and brought her back with me to Florida. I have not used at all since
Today I decided to get into the motor a little bit. I changed the oil, put new plugs in her, and changed the fuel filter. Then, I was going to tackle the lower unit and change the impeller again. I unbolted the lower unit (YES, even the bolt under the trim tab) and it would NOT DROP. I mean, it was like it was welded together. I broke out the rubber mallet and wooden block, and smacked the **** out of it. Nothing! So, remembering what I had read here on the Iboats forums, I lowered the motor and turned her over a few times. Finally I hear a "Clunk" and it finally fell out. I was happy about that.
I was more than surprised to find corrosion throughout the lower unit. Looked like the barnicles we see here in Florida. It all scraped off, and I was able to change the impeller witout incident, but I am wondering how the Old Honda is going to handle the brackish water we have here in Florida? Other than that, the motor looks almost new...I am a little perplexed though.
