ex RNLI contract motors

[ian parkes]

In my search for a bigger SIB motor the Tohatsu 50 I wanted is long gone .

However 2 local dealers have ex RNLI mariner 40s for sale . They have a 1 year warranty amd are supposed to have been back to Mariner and completely checked out . They can't tell me how old they are exactly but are a "couple or so years old" in the dealers words.
At £1750 the price is reasonable but its still an unknown quantity .

Anyone had one or using one what do ya think . What are the small mariner 2 strokers like ?

[Viper]

I have run twin ex contract mariners on my Osprey since I brought it, originally the older (yamaha) type 40,s and have recently upgraded to two of the newer type you are thinking about.

I like them, good reliability, come with a few extas (twin tell tales to name but one!) and if they are ex contract they would as you say have been back to Barrus for a complete check.

If for sale now (without previous owner) they are probably about 3 years old but you can find the age by several means, check the manufacturers plate on the engine, or get the serial number and check through the mariner power web site. or if they are ex RNLI they may even have the date painted on the side.

[ian parkes]

Thanks for that , got to be quick by the sound of it , these and similar motors seem to be like finding Rocking horse droppings .

The 2 stroke laws are going to kill the small SIB market as there seems to be nothing 4 stroke with tiller steer about 40hp

[Nos4r2]

If you ask for the serial number you should be able to get a date from it. I would steer clear if there's no number-for various reasons.

Do they come with the immersion proofing kit?

[ribraff]

A batch of the 50hp engines have just been offered out by the RNLI, they are the Tohatsu 50's rebadged as Mariners, i won't tell you what price they were offered at!

[hurricane]

why would the rnli rebadge engines??

[ribraff]

I don't think the RNLI rebadged them, i'm guessing that mariner could'nt supply this model from their own range for some reason so bought in Tohatsu's? ....'anyone know the story?

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by ribraff

A batch of the 50hp engines have just been offered out by the RNLI, they are the Tohatsu 50's rebadged as Mariners, i won't tell you what price they were offered at!

Please tell me , where can I get one .

As I understand it Tohatsu actually make the new 4 stroke mariners .

Mat i know nothing about the imersion proofing kit but could be a good thing, Iam still trying to get some more info on the 2 motors that are on offer . I Understand the older mariner was a yamaha , but not sure who has made the latest ones , I think they are Tohatsu .

The mariner website doesn't actually list a 40hp only a 30 and 50 .

[ian parkes]

Its never simple is it .
In my trawl for info Iam told that the ex RNLI motors may have a non standard shaft length ,and inch or shorter that a normal Long shaft .
I find that hard to believe .

So what about the Ex contact 50's then Ribraff ??

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Its never simple is it .
In my trawl for info Iam told that the ex RNLI motors may have a non standard shaft length ,and inch or shorter that a normal Long shaft .
I find that hard to believe .

Tis troo thow.

The ones used on the D class boats have a 'medium shaft' ie 18" from saddle to cav plate.
The D class inflatables used to run standard shaft motors - don't know when or why they changed.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Tis troo thow.

The ones used on the D class boats have a 'medium shaft' ie 18" from saddle to cav plate.
The D class inflatables used to run standard shaft motors - don't know when or why they changed.

Thanks Mate

So you are the second one to say it , must be true then . Ill have to get them to measure it . i haven't a clue where they get the measurement from , long shaft is 20" same as my yam but I cant see any 2 points that that measurement corresponds to .

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Thanks Mate

So you are the second one to say it , must be true then . Ill have to get them to measure it . i haven't a clue where they get the measurement from , long shaft is 20" same as my yam but I cant see any 2 points that that measurement corresponds to .

Here:-

Shaft length.

This is measured from the antiventilation plate (the flat plate just above the propeller)to the part of the clamp that SITS on the transom-ie the underside of the clamp as in the picture.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

So you are the second one to say it , must be true then.

Err - I wouldn't rely on that - there's some fibbers around

These motors seem to be unique to the RNLI at 18". They use a different midsection, which is listed in the Mercury parts book. I expect you could replace that with a standard shaft or longshaft midsection, etc., but that would run up a bit of a bill and the boat may be ok with the 18" - I don't think the old D class had any transom mods when they went from 15" to 18", but I wouldn't swear to that.

What's the transom height on the SIB - 15" or 20"? Most are 15" and run std shaft motors.

[Downhilldai]

Nice one NoS - a picture speaks a thousand words...........

That Mariner looks a bit ex-RNLI to me.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Here:-

Shaft length.

This is measured from the antiventilation plate (the flat plate just above the propeller)to the part of the clamp that SITS on the transom-ie the underside of the clamp as in the picture.

thats what i thought , my yam is long shaft quoted at 20" in the book but that measurement is about 22".


The futura Mk3 needs a long shaft motor unlike most other sibs .
Nothing is ever simple for me

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Nice one NoS - a picture speaks a thousand words...........

That Mariner looks a bit ex-RNLI to me.

'snot-it's ex military -hence the odd tube for a separate silencer.

It's actually taken directly from a guide I wrote on Ebay here

[ribraff]

The later Mariner/Tohatsu engine is indeed fitted with the 18" midsection and the immersion kits are removed prior to sale, if any more come up i'll let you know.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by ribraff

The later Mariner/Tohatsu engine is indeed fitted with the 18" midsection and the immersion kits are removed prior to sale, if any more come up i'll let you know.

Thanks but I think a change of plans will be in order . Bill Higham marine has aload of ex RNLI motors coming next week 50 Mariners which are rebadged Tohatsu's . They apparently have an extension piece in the gearcase to turn a short shaft into a long , whether thats how did it or how the RNLI wanted them I don't know .
They wan't 2 grand for a 2005 motor , I was quoted £2150 for a new one at the boatshow .
I wonder if the RNLI actually turn a profit on their used gear, makes you wonder doesn't it .


Anyway have been out for first cruise in the Futura this evening , the yam 25 uses very nearly as much fuel as the DF70 on my rib so fitting a 40 or 50 carbed 2 stroke is out of the question , and apart from that I don't really think the Sib would benefit from the extra power you would only be able to use it in flat calm conditions so for most of the time a bigger motor would be almost ticking over and oiling up.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I wonder if the RNLI actually turn a profit on their used gear, makes you wonder doesn't it .

Not sure about the RNLI but I promise Bill Highman will be doing very nicely out of that lot and anyone who buys one.

Pete

[Northern Tim]

I'd like to echo Pete7 there - Bill Higham charge extortionate rates for everything! When I was buying a new engine and having it rigged, he wanted about £400 more than other people.