Flushing Dinghy outboard with fresh water

[Letterkenny]

I have a portable outboard (3.5HP Mercury) and when I bring it home, I can just flush it on its stand in a bucket. However, I’d like to mainly keep this at the boat which will mean either on an outboard stand at the marina or on my outboard bracket on my stanchion. How do you all flush your dinghy outboard when on the boat when you can’t use the earmuffs since it’s a smaller outboard? I was thinking maybe rigging a 5 gallon bucket to the stanchion and running from there but curious for any feedback.

[Phyrcooler]

I had a similar 3.5 hp (Tohatsu) on my last boat. I just used a 2 - 3 gallon oval bucket that the motor leg fit into and flushed it while the motor hung on the bracket. You are correct in rigging something to hold the weight of the bucket of water while it runs. I also used that time to run the carb out of fuel if I thought it might be sitting for more than 30 days as well.

[callistov42]

I have Yamaha 15 that I carry on a pad on my stern rail. When we are putting the boat up after a trip, I flush it on the rail with muffs. I crank the engine (with water flushing and clearly coming out of telltail) and then pull the gas line off and let it run out of fuel. I have been told how hard this is on a two stroke engine but I have been doing it for 30+ years and am in my third outboard in 30+ years so it doesn't seem to be too hard on the engines. Also... I can leave the boat for six weeks, come back, put the dinghy and engine in the water and it starts on the first pull EVERY TIME!

[Compass790]

I dont bother flushing our 2hp Yamaha on the boat ( up to say 10 wks continuous ) but at the dock I just stand it in a bucket & hold onto it. It's always driving but no problem.
Can't see any problem with what you want to do

[Nicholson58]

I flush ours annually at haul out for hurricane season storage, Caribbean. Just watch the zincs. We lift the dinghy out of the water when it’s not in use and nightly. I know of no cruisers flushing motors except as we do.

[wsmurdoch]

Something like this fits my Tohatsu engine. A common water hose previously cut by a lawn mower fits over the big end. It screws into a hole plugged by a screw beside the top oil drain hole.
https://www.amazon.com/QuickSilver-1...63151020&psc=1

[Letterkenny]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

Something like this fits my Tohatsu engine. A common water hose previously cut by a lawn mower fits over the big end. It screws into a hole plugged by a screw beside the top oil drain hole.
https://www.amazon.com/QuickSilver-1...63151020&psc=1

I’ll take a look to see if I have that. Was looking in my engine and didn’t see a nut to take off where this would go. Not sure if the newer engines don’t have this.

[thomm225]

I have a 5 hp 4 stroke extra long 25" shaft outboard as the main auxiliary engine (outboard) on my boat.

It gets flushed sometimes once a year with fresh water sometimes once every two years, Depends on when I do maintenance like replacing the impeller.

I do flush it with salt water though at least once every two weeks even in Winter.

I bought the outboard new in 2011.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

I have a portable outboard (3.5HP Mercury) and when I bring it home, I can just flush it on its stand in a bucket. However, I’d like to mainly keep this at the boat which will mean either on an outboard stand at the marina or on my outboard bracket on my stanchion. How do you all flush your dinghy outboard when on the boat when you can’t use the earmuffs since it’s a smaller outboard? I was thinking maybe rigging a 5 gallon bucket to the stanchion and running from there but curious for any feedback.

Does the manufacturer offer an accessory that will allow you to connect a fresh water hose to the outboard cooling water input location. I recall an old small Honda I once had did have such an accessory. If not perhaps you can make one for use at the dock.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[Godshalk]

I just had to discard my favorite 5HP Yamaha 2-stroke as the cooling water cavities were hopelessly fouled with marine growth. I plan to do as you propose with my new 2.5HP 4-stroke.

[Letterkenny]

So the manual does have something for my outboard that I’ll take a look. Looks like what may be easiest is just to use the bucket technique and throw some salt away in there. Was more so curious if anyone had a system to hold up the bucket there but I’ll go ahead and jerry rig something and share it here.

[BobFord]

I go for the bucket idea each lay up but as my 2hp Yamaha has direct drive , need to remove prop !!! Found out the hard way !!

[marcjsmith]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

So the manual does have something for my outboard that I’ll take a look. Looks like what may be easiest is just to use the bucket technique and throw some salt away in there. Was more so curious if anyone had a system to hold up the bucket there but I’ll go ahead and jerry rig something and share it here.

could you use the muffs and put a funnel on the end of the hose connection and attached the funnel to a nearby stanchion and just pour water into the funnel



or if you have it, use your fresh water washdown...



use the topping lift or main halyard to hold the bucket

[wsmurdoch]

The adaptor I have for my Tohatsu outboard is just like the one I gave the Amazon URL for. It is easy to use. I permanently attached a short length of garden hose to it. Then I unscrew the screw on the side of the outboard marked "flush", tape the water inlet with duct tape, screw in the adaptor, attach the dock hose to the thing, and turn on the water. If I feel like it, I start the engine.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

The adaptor I have for my Tohatsu outboard is just like the one I gave the Amazon URL for. It is easy to use. I permanently attached a short length of garden hose to it. Then I unscrew the screw on the side of the outboard marked "flush", tape the water inlet with duct tape, screw in the adaptor, attach the dock hose to the thing, and turn on the water. If I feel like it, I start the engine.

Just don't lose the water plug.

Another reason my outboard gets a yearly fresh water flush whether it needs it or not!

I used to flush it with fresh water 2-4 times per year but have now gone to once every year or two when I have the engine up on the stern rail and not on the outboard bracket on the stern.

The plug on my engine is under the power head .........Mercury 2011 model 5HP bought new that year.