G3 Boats?

[Ricochet15]

I do have a question about the 4 stroke problems now. Cars have been running 4 strokes for years and seem to be pretty lined out. The valve train in the 4 strokes should have some sort of adjustment to get the valve train back in spec (nut adjuster, shims, etc.) or have hydraulic valve trains to take up the wear. Do the outboards not have any adjustments to them? Not trying to start an argument just trying to get some info and figure this out. Because if they don't have anything to correct for wear then it sounds a design flaw.

[fishinwrench]

I wish ! It's not a matter of a simple sync adjustment because the issue isn't caused by a lack of proper valve timing, its caused from valve wear and/or inconsistent sealing of components throughout fluctuating temperature ranges.

The "adjustment" requires a teardown, inspection, and replacement of internal parts followed by a complete refresh of all engine operating systems.....Fuel delivery, fuel distribution, air distribution, Ignition timing and throttle pickup timing (whether mechanical or electronic), and the cooling system.

If all the individual systems aren't performing perfectly (individually) during setup....then "setup" doesn't happen. Because a chain of correction attempts by the ECM throws everything off and defaults to a limp mode when it cannot manage it. Valve or mechanical "slop" recognition is not programmed into the engine management system so it doesn't recognize THAT....it just thinks the engine needs more/less fuel, or advanced/retarded ignition timing. All it wants to do is maintain a balance between clean exhaust while still preventing detonation in the combustion chamber..... To Hell with that guy with his hand on the throttle who just wants to get out from in front of a BARGE! or a thunderstorm..... We shall not pollute, THIS is the most important thing to an emmisions controlled 4S

For example: An O2 sensor picks up a rich mixture and the ECM trys to correct it by shortening injector pulse width and/or by retarding ignition timing regardless of what the throttle position is....Power on demand is now lost, and there you are lugging around in default mode until the seeping seal, that caused the O2sensor to trigger a too rich code and sending the management system into a whirlwind, is replaced.

There are no quick fixes, cheats, tweaks, or minor sync adjustments on an emmisions controlled 4S... All systems and components are either operating 100% perfectly....or your @$$ is in default.

That's the best way I know how to explain it. And although the 3star DFI 2 strokes have similar management systems there are way fewer moving parts, making engine management a breeze. And troubleshooting / repairs (when there is a problem) go so much more friendly for all involved.

I would love to overhaul a 4S outboard, and I'm patiently waiting to start on my first one....but so far nobody has been willing to pay what it takes to do it.

Has anyone here had one fixed? Or did ya just trade engines? Anyone?......Anyone?.... Yep, that's kinda what I thought.

[jeb]

The better question would be has anyone here needed to have a 4 stroke yamaha overhauled. I doubt it. I intend to keep my boat/motor for 20 years and I fully expect the motor to be basically problem free during that time. In the forums I visit, I've NEVER read about any chronic issues with this series of motors. I'm sure you're right that if things to go bad on a 4 stroke, they can be very expensive to fix. But I read about a ton more posts about blown 2 strokes than I do 4 strokes.

[jeb]

They told us that Hook Line and Sinker in Rogers is going to open a Skeeter/Yamaha/G3 dealership on their lot.

I think its a work in progress.

At least, there will be a dealership to replace Waymack's Marine when people need service.

Yes, HLS now carries Skeeter, GL3 and War Eagle boats. I'm not sure what the plan is for service on them. I'll have to ask next time I'm in. I know the owner also has a marina on one of the Bella Vista lakes, so maybe they do service out there?

[Feathers and Fins]

Kjackson, you said all brands are still on the table so I will chime in. When I was looking for a new boat I looked at the G3 and cant say anything bad about them Ive road in them and fished from them. I was looking for a Boat that would hunt and fish and take the abuse of hunting out of a boat. I narrowed it down to Lowe, G3 and Tracker and after a great deal of thought and test drives I settled on the 190tw Tracker its length and hull design gave it a much nicer ride than the others and storage capacity really gave it the edge. I am very glad I picked it as I have been on Beaver and Table rock in some bad storms with nasty waves and its nice to have that V-hull and size for safety.

The only draw backs I have found with the boat is the original batteries didn't last worth a beans and I switched them out to Optima Blue Tops. The hinges on the storage lockers were a tad weak but it didn't take much to fix those either. Trailer side rails both broke within 3 weeks which was fine I was going to take them off anyway. Other than that I have been very pleased with the boat it starts every time and is very quiet and for as long a boat as it is it is very responsive in turning.

[kjackson]

Thanks to all-- this is a good example of what the board offers: help when you need it. While I want to run out right now and plunk down the bucks for a boat (I really would like a livewell!), I'm determined to do as much research as I can and take as many rides as I can to find the right boat. It would be easier if I was chasing after bass only or fishing just one or two lakes. But since I'll probably be doing some traveling up north and fishing some of those walleye lakes as well as trying for crappie down here and flyfishing for bluegill and whatnot, it's a challenge.

It not only has to be stable for me as I continue to age, but it's got to be a good trolling boat and one that I can take the grandkids out on for tubing and such. And I want a boat and motor combo that will hang together for a long time...so the search continues. Again, thanks for the input and keep it coming.

[Feathers and Fins]

If your looking at livewells the Trackers is nice with rounded corners, but you can also build one rather easily that is also removable so when you want to ski its not in the way. The deck on my tracker is front and back is more than comfortable for two people fly casting. The 90 merc has pulled skiers no issues its a great blend of fishing / hunting machine plus just for fun. I do not put more than myself and 1 other in it though its rated for 5 people 3 is ok but more than that i just dont feel comfortable with. But ill say I have had 3 hunters and 2 labs in it lol. Nothing like watching two labs peak over the side to see how close we were to the geese.

[kjackson]

The Lowe Stinger is nice but not the type of boat I'm looking for. I want a little more of a vee-hull than what is offered by the Stinger. That is the nicest Lowe I've seen. I also looked at the Lowe vee hulls at Cabela's, but the finish on the hull wasn't great. I did see an older Lowe hull on Craig's that I really liked, but it was paired with an older Evinrude.

Since Bombardier bought Johnson/Evinrude, I understand parts for these older motors are not available. Is this still the case? Are older 'Rudes and Johnsons a risk?

[fishinwrench]

Since Bombardier bought Johnson/Evinrude, I understand parts for these older motors are not available. Is this still the case? Are older 'Rudes and Johnsons a risk?

That is absolutely NOT true. As a matter of fact J/E/Bombardier is the ONLY outboard manufacturer that makes it a mission statement to continue providing replacement parts for their earlier model engines, clear back to the 1950's in most cases.

Yamaha is very good about parts for older production motors also.

Mercury on the other hand is famous for discontinuing parts (some vital) for their engines. Some Merc parts for engines no older than 7 years are listed as "NLA" (no longer available).

Suzuki? .....Forgettaboutit!

Nissan/Tohatsu?.....better than Suzuki, but a backorder from Japan can take 6-8 months.

Honda? No personal experience, but I'd expect disappointment before I even picked up the phone.

Honda

[kjackson]

Wrench-- glad to hear that Johnnyrude parts are still around. Not long after the purchase, I was talking to one of the marketing guys, and at that time he said that the company wouldn't be supporting older engines--pre-sale engines, that is. It's also good to get your spin on outboards and brands in general. I was kinda leaning toward Mercury, but now I know better. I've had good luck with Yamaha, except for a certain four-stroke six horse, and my former marine dealer was a strong Yamaha dealer.

With your comments on four-strokes, I'm thinking now that maybe Evinrude might be the way to go. What's your experience with the new Evinrude systems?