Boat not moving forward

[jakoolin]

Hello , I'm new to boating and need a lot of help. I have an excursion 5 inflatable boat and I purchased the motor mount for this and a used evinrude 4.5 hp motor. When I tested it on a lake, the motor runs and propeller goes however the boat does not move forward. Is there a specific height or setting I have to do? I don't know the lingo for boats so please tell me in lay mans term.

Thanks,

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat not moving forward

If you're not getting any propulsion at all it's likely not a motor height or position issue but an issue with the motor itself. I'd suggest posting something in the Johnnyrude section, but you'll need to provide a lot more info before anyone can even take a guess. The first thing I'd do is confirm that it's going into gear. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Thanks for the info Incoop , bear in mind I'm totally a newbie when it comes to outboard motors but I thought that this evinrude 4.5 hp motor don't have gears , I thought you just apply gas and it should go? And if it does have gears any ideas where that is located?

 

[Guest]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Go to an auto parts store and buy a compression tester and test it. All you do and screw it into the spark plug holes and try to start it. Make sure your gas tank is not connected when you do this and if its an internal tank just have the kill switch on. I had the same issue and found out one of my cylinders was shot! Hopely this is not the case. But this is the first thing everyone will suggest

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Is that a non through hup prop or a through hub prop engine model. Through hub means combustion exhaust exhausts through middle prop, the non through hub has a cone lid with cotter pin at center. Probably you have a shot hub or shot cotter pin.

Happy Boating

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Sea rider, how would I know which one I have and how would I know if I have a shot hub or shot cotter pin. If the propeller is turning and making the bubbles does that say anything?

 

[gm280]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Not know the exact motor you are have problems with, Is there a chance that the prop has sheared a shear-pin and while it would look like it is turning, especially without any load on it, when it has water to load it up the prop isn't turning much or at all. Check the prop area for a key way or shear pin... Just my dumb thoughts!

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Not know the exact motor you are have problems with, Is there a chance that the prop has sheared a shear-pin and while it would look like it is turning, especially without any load on it, when it has water to load it up the prop isn't turning much or at all. Check the prop area for a key way or shear pin... Just my dumb thoughts!

Thanks, I will check tonight and also get the model #. About the prop turning, when it was on a bucket filled with water I do see the prop turning but on the lake I could not see since it was submerged maybe less than halfway and water was cloudy but I could see the water moving, that is why I thought I placed it too low in the water.

 

[Guest]

Re: Boat not moving forward

dude I am telling you, Go to advanced auto parts, auto zone either one target what ever find a compression tester its 15-30 bucks. Buy it and test your cylinders. I had to same exact problem and everyone was giving me different information from stripped crank shaft to broken pin to bad block. Compression tester is a tool that can be used on any motor. Best 20 bux you will ever spend

 

[Outsider]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Take it to an outboard dealer. Any mechanic will be able to show you the basics of 'outboard motor', if not trouble shoot your problem. The gear shift is on the side of the motor (right side when looking toward the front of the boat). Forward position is 'forward', center position is 'neutral', rearward is 'reverse'. You don't have a prop exhaust, don't know if you have a shear pin, mechanic will be able to easily show you. Note to self, DO NOT run the motor unless it's in the water ...

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

dude I am telling you, Go to advanced auto parts, auto zone either one target what ever find a compression tester its 15-30 bucks. Buy it and test your cylinders. I had to same exact problem and everyone was giving me different information from stripped crank shaft to broken pin to bad block. Compression tester is a tool that can be used on any motor. Best 20 bux you will ever spend

I'll do this tonight and post the compression test tomorrow

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Take it to an outboard dealer. Any mechanic will be able to show you the basics of 'outboard motor', if not trouble shoot your problem. The gear shift is on the side of the motor (right side when looking toward the front of the boat). Forward position is 'forward', center position is 'neutral', rearward is 'reverse'. You don't have a prop exhaust, don't know if you have a shear pin, mechanic will be able to easily show you. Note to self, DO NOT run the motor unless it's in the water ...

I just looked at it last night and have this pics, but does not show the"gear shift". Let me know if I'm missing anything.
the motor is envinrude 4 model # E4RCCS

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Can't really tell anything from those. Shift lever should be on the side with a forward/neutral/reverse sticker (or at least remnants of one). Any of that ring a bell? Guess it's possible it doesn't shift. I had a little Merc like that, but it was only a 2.5. I would think a 4 would shift, but I'm no expert.

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Can't really tell anything from those. Shift lever should be on the side with a forward/neutral/reverse sticker (or at least remnants of one). Any of that ring a bell? Guess it's possible it doesn't shift. I had a little Merc like that, but it was only a 2.5. I would think a 4 would shift, but I'm no expert.

Unfortunately this one does not have any levers on it not even a sticker that would have a remnants. the only thing it has on the top is for you to rev the engine. I'll try to post in the envirude engines and see if they can give me better info.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Yeah, that's probably best. Just for giggles did you check the shear pin?

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Yeah, that's probably best. Just for giggles did you check the shear pin?

No but I will tomorrow. Thanks

 

[gm280]

Re: Boat not moving forward

I think what you are seeing when you have the engine running is merely the exhaust making water turbulence not the prop turning. I second the shear pin or key way...whatever... That's my story and I'm sticking with it...unless that isn't the problem. :facepalm:

 

[lncoop]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Jakoolin, you know how to do that?

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Jakoolin, you know how to do that?

I saw a video in youtube on how to do that, i'll follow the instructions. I'll post back results once I it check tomorrow

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Boat not moving forward

The shear pin is a protection device that usually breaks when prop hits hard under water objects as to protect prop from breaking into pieces. When broken, prop will spin freely with no load whatsoever. A new shear pin will fix the issue inmediately if the shear pin happens to be the culprit. Make a compression test as suggested by Weimed, you'll know the overall cond of that horse.

Happy Boating