Flushing a moored boat

Rich L · 12 May 2004, 23:03

I'm sure it's been discussed before - but I couldn't find it.

What should I do re flushing the engine when I intend to moor my boat for a couple of weeks, using it every day?

Thanks

Richard B · 12 May 2004, 23:14

Do you mean flushing by a pontoon with the boat on the water?

Has your motor got the flexible hose between the powerhead and the leg which has the "hose fitting"?

Pete7 · 12 May 2004, 23:31

Rich, don't worry about it, its a yamaha.

Pete

Rich L · 13 May 2004, 11:29

No, moored on a buoy out of reach of fresh water and yes, I do have that flushing connection.

I guess the question is, will the engine be harmed if I don't flush it for a couple of weeks?

Thanks, Rich L

timw · 13 May 2004, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Rich, don't worry about it, its a yamaha.

Pete

Excuse my ignorance here, but do Yamaha's not require the same regularity of flushing than lesser makes of engine, i.e. are the construction materials that much more superior and don't need so much looking after?

MeMe · 13 May 2004, 11:52

and one I've posed myself many times.

If you think of it this way; what about all those 1000's of boats in the marina with either inboards or outboards, Yamaha's (the best) Merc's, Suzuki's etc etc. The inboard engines are the same as an outboard (construction materials) however, they never get flushed. In fact many other outboards sat in engine wells of yachts on a moring only get flushed once a year at the end of the season. So, you're not alone if you're unable to flush folloing every excursion.

The key to the problem is to make sure you service your engine at least once a year (dependant of your warranty obligations, number of hours used and service interval manual).

Although no expert I always seek the advice of more than one expert in the field I'm investigating and in this case I was advised that the main reason for flushing is to stop an EXCESSIVE build up of salt deposits around the impeller and exhast outlets. If we don't flush, salt builds up and makes the initial start up task of the impetter difficult as it has to cut through the salt crystals which wear away and lessen the life span of this soft rubbery component.

Rogue Wave · 13 May 2004, 11:58

Sadly the answer to your question as to the superioroty of Yamaha engines is no. They are however as good as any other and for my money the best built.
You flush an engine to get rid of the salt (corrosive) and sea growth (barnacles etc) that can reside in the leg. So I think it's something that should be done regularly. Is there a local ontoon with a water supply you can do this by!

How do you get to your river mooring do you use a tender or are as lucky as my wife and just walk over!

regards

Pete7 · 13 May 2004, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

Excuse my ignorance here, but do Yamaha's not require the same regularity of flushing than lesser makes of engine, i.e. are the construction materials that much more superior and don't need so much looking after?

Correct.

Leaving a Yamaha in salt water for a couple of weeks during its 15 year life is hardly going to harm it, afterall it is designed to be used in water. The other manufacturers are now catching up on quality, and although its a personal opinion, Yamaha are still very high quality outboards.

Leaving the engine down (so the annodes work) will not cause salt to build up in the water pump as its fully emersed. And whilst it would be nice if you could flush the engine after each time it doesn't stop salt cristals from building up in the power head and around the termostats. I ran a Yamaha 115 v4 on the Thames each day for a week only to find even this amount of fresh water didn't disolve the salt crystals around the termostats

Give it a good flush when you do finally lift her out.

Pete

timw · 13 May 2004, 14:25

Pleased to hear it.

I never had to research outboards as the boat I aquired just came with a big Yam lump on the back. I do try to look after it however with regular flushing.

Rogue Wave · 13 May 2004, 14:31

I thought inboard had a water connection point under the hood for flushing?

Rich L · 13 May 2004, 15:40

[QUOTE=Rogue Wave]
How do you get to your river mooring do you use a tender or are as lucky as my wife and just walk over!

This is a sea mooring. If you moor your boat off Abersoch on a Yacht club mooring, the they will bus you out there in their launch for a few quid (and you get to use the bar/showers etc). High season is not always possible.

The biggest problem is getting to the boat when it's anchored close to the shore - and continually moving it as the tide goes out. Thinking of getting a small inflatable so's I can anchor deep and paddle in. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Rich L

Rogue Wave · 13 May 2004, 18:21

I.ve been to Abersoch and i know where the boats are moored. So yeah a fresh water supply is unlikely. I'd take it to the Harbour every couple of weeks and flush it through

roohairy · 14 May 2004, 19:55

I wouldn't worry about not being able to flush it at all if it's in reasonably regular use, once a season is fine. I've used outboards commercially and privately without flushing them more than once a year and never had problems.