I Feel Bad For Asking For This Boat...

[Catch and Grease]

My dad bought me a 15ft Lowe aluminum with a 25hp outboard and I'm soooo grateful but I kinda feel bad... Like I shouldn't have ever asked for it, because this boat has been nothing but a pain in his ass. I swear we fix it then within two trips it won't even start again... Like I hate coming home and letting him know that the boat didn't start today. I've been paying for a lot of the stuff to fix it but it still stresses him out knowing I can't use the graduation present I got way back in may... Idk I'm just sitting at the boat ramp broken down and ranting I guess lol.

[Catch and Grease]

I actually just got her running right after posting this lol.... I think bassresource answered my prayers haha

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

My dad bought me a 15ft Lowe aluminum with a 25hp outboard and I'm soooo grateful but I kinda feel bad... Like I shouldn't have ever asked for it, because this boat has been nothing but a pain in his ass. I swear we fix it then within two trips it won't even start again... Like I hate coming home and letting him know that the boat didn't start today. I've been paying for a lot of the stuff to fix it but it still stresses him out knowing I can't use the graduation present I got way back in may... Idk I'm just sitting at the boat ramp broken down and ranting I guess lol.

 

As a father that right there hits home. Not the same$$ wise but I bought my son this RC truck and its breaking all the time. Trip after trip to the hobby shop and now he is not wanting to use it. No fun for you no fun for him but getting experience fixing things

[Bluebasser86]

Break

Out

Another

Thousand

[jyu87]

As I am sure you are grateful - without knowing - these are priceless memories you and your father get to spend together. Being down on the water, well... that's another story. Hope he can swim

[ww2farmer]

If your dad is like most dads, he's probably happy to help.............even if there is swearing and dirty looks involved. Years from now, you'll both look back on such things with fondness.

[BaitMonkey1984]

Boats require work. Plain and simple. Nothing is worse than having a motor issue though. I got m first boat from my grand dad with a 7.5 Sears Gamefisher motor. Motor ran great for five years. Then needed carb rebuilt. A few years later another carb rebuild. Then it all went to crap. I finally had to realize that the sentimental value of the motor exceeded the value of the motor. Got myself a motor that was a few years old, and no more issues. So my advice, try to get it fixed right. If your can't do it take it to someone. It is well worth it as you have no down time when it is done right. Hopefully the motor doesn't need that much work to get it up to speed quick and cost effectively. 

[Big C]

Broken

On

Aquatic

Turnpike?

 

Point is it happens.  Half the fun is fixing them up, just expect it to break and when it doesn't...BONUS.

[fishnkamp]

What is the outboard and what is the problem?  If it is a starting problem then there are steps to troubleshoot it.  How old is it, what brand, what hp?  Have any of the fuel lines been changed?  If the fuel tank is a portable can, dump the fuel and start over with fresh fuel.  If it is a bigger boat with a built in tank then try running off a portable, say 10 gallon, tank with fresh fuel.  Has the fuel lift pump been replaced, often the diaphragm goes bad.  Give us some info and there are plenty of people here that can get you going fast.  If you do not wish to try yourself then take it into the shop. 

[John G]

Ditch the outboard and put a trolling motor on it.

[SHaugh]

Ditch the outboard and put a trolling motor on it.

 

This is actually the best idea.   If you can figure out how to live without a gasoline motor it's the best possible solution.     2 cycle outboard motors are notoriously finicky and poorly designed machines.   with the advent of modern electric motors they really are almost obsolete.     Unless you can afford a brand new 4 stroke or maybe a propane motor, ask yourself if you really need it or not ?.....  couldn't you just spend a few more minutes travelling and use an electric ?

 

I fish a lot of lakes that are electric only.    Quiet... peaceful... reliable.....  non polluting....    I never bring an outboard unless I absolutely need it.

[F14A-B]

This is actually the best idea. If you can figure out how to live without a gasoline motor it's the best possible solution. 2 cycle outboard motors are notoriously finicky and poorly designed machines. with the advent of modern electric motors they really are almost obsolete. Unless you can afford a brand new 4 stroke or maybe a propane motor, ask yourself if you really need it or not ?..... couldn't you just spend a few more minutes travelling and use an electric ?

I fish a lot of lakes that are electric only. Quiet... peaceful... reliable..... non polluting.... I never bring an outboard unless I absolutely need it.

2 cycles are poorly designed? My 55 Yamaha is/has been nothing but stellar.. Best engine I've ever owned..

[Cmiller]

This is actually the best idea.   If you can figure out how to live without a gasoline motor it's the best possible solution.     2 cycle outboard motors are notoriously finicky and poorly designed machines.   with the advent of modern electric motors they really are almost obsolete.     Unless you can afford a brand new 4 stroke or maybe a propane motor, ask yourself if you really need it or not ?.....  couldn't you just spend a few more minutes travelling and use an electric ?

 

I fish a lot of lakes that are electric only.    Quiet... peaceful... reliable.....  non polluting....    I never bring an outboard unless I absolutely need it.

I would tend to disagree with this statement, I have owned multiple used mercury 2 strokes and they are very very reliable when well maintained. My current 20 horse which is a 2001 model starts in one pull no matter the weather. The key to a reliable outboard is keeping the fuel system clean and using good fuel. 

[zachb34]

I also disagree with not only 2 strokes being poorly designed, but the "few more minutes" in regards to travel. I'm always making 10 mile and longer runs in my jon boat. I don't know what I'd do without it.

[EricTheAngler]

As a father that right there hits home. Not the same$$ wise but I bought my son this RC truck and its breaking all the time. Trip after trip to the hobby shop and now he is not wanting to use it. No fun for you no fun for him but getting experience fixing things

Same here, well Im not a father, but my dad and I both bought some rc cars and they are always breaking . I after I dropped over 100 total in parts over some time I decieded to pick up a new hobby, fishing.

[WIGuide]

Definitely would have to disagree with the statement about ditching the motor. For reason 1) a tm is not going to take the place of a 25hp outboard 2) a well maintained small engine should provide years of reliable service. If you look around you see older small engines everywhere still running as intended on small crafts. I had a small Johnson 8 horse on my first boat. That thing started first pull every time other after it sat all winter which that case it usually took three pulls. They're very simple machines and not tons of things that can go wrong with them. 

[tander]

I agree on not getting rid of the outboard. That will put a limit on where you can fish. I don't know what kind of problems you have been having but list them on here. Lot of knowledge here that might could help you. If nothing helps, take it to a mechanic to have it fixed and make sure you get some warranty on it if it breaks again.