YCCOutboard Motors Documentation

In this page, you can find some help documentation for usage and maintenance of outboards engines of our keelboats: Padawan, Joda, Mic Mac, Mamma Mia and Jedi.

The engines are essential for leaving and returning to the port but are often the source of problems reported in the logbook.

Some of these problems require the intervention of a trained mechanic but many could be avoided with greater understanding of how to operate them correctly, and by regular maintenance by a dedicated group of members.

Outboard Usage Information

This section contains some usefull information about engine usage.

Starting Motors

J/80 – Jedi Su – Mic Mac & Mamma Mia J/70 – Padawan & Joda Notes
Ensure the motor is in the vertical position
Lower the engine down into the water so that the propeller is well covered, but the starting rope is still not too low to have a good straight pull
Connect the portable fuel tank, making sure that the arrow on the black ball on the fuel line is pointing towards the motor
Check there is sufficient fuel in the external fuel tank Check there is sufficient fuel in the internal fuel tank
Open the air vent in the cap on the external tank Open the air vent in the cap on the internal tank
Check that the tap underneath the motor is turned to external tank Check that the tap underneath the motor is turned on
Check the red safety clip is inserted below the red cut out button
Check the motor is in neutral
Squeeze the black ball on the fuel line until it is hard
DO NOT pull out the choke at this stage
Set the speed control so that the little electric bulb sign is opposite the line on the handle
Pull gently on the starting cord until there is resistance, then pull firmly to full extent possible. Be prepared to release the handle if the motor kicks back!
Try to start the engine three times with a good firm pull (rather than a violent yank!) If it starts, great but do not forget to check that there is cooling water coming out of the motor
Lower the motor to its lowest position
If the motor does not start, try with slightly higher speed setting but be ready to reduce immediately the motor starts
If it still does not start, try finally with the choke pulled out but be ready to push in almost immediately the motor starts
And if it still does not start, check through these instructions to ensure you have not missed out a step!
And finally, log the issue and be prepared to cancel the outing if you are not confident to be able to sail the boat out of the harbour and back in again with the crew on board and the conditions forecast

Advices

Advice Reason
Storage when not in use in the port Storage when not in use in the port Avoids unnecessary mechanical damage to the motor and the bracket to which it is attached. Avoids oil etc. leaking to where it does not belong
Not essential to lift either Avoids unnecessary mechanical damage to the motor and the bracket to which it is attached
Only necessary if required to avoid mooring lines
Raising and tilting a motor with an external tank Remove the fuel line first To avoid damaging it when tilting the motor
Raise the motor without tilting or turning To avoid damaging the motor – does not apply to Padawan & Joda
Note, you have to push the motor down first, then push the lever on the bracket back before letting the spring do most of the work to lift the engine
Tilt and turn the motor in one movement Tilt and turn the motor in one movement
Lowering the motor when no longer sailing Reverse of the above

Maintenance Documentation

General documentation and maintenance information for outboard engines.

Outboard Maintenance Documents

There is a checklist app to help following periodic maintenance review, which can be accessed here.

The engine inventory — maintained by Michael Van Eck — can be found in the Google sheet.
This spreadsheet contains all the information about boats and their engines and also links to a scanned copy of the official docunments (carte grise and antipolution certificate).

A list of professionnal assistance and suppliers, which wit usually work with can be found here.

Outboard Engines Characteristics

Here are the characteristics of the outboard engines:

J/80 – Jedi Su – Mic Mac & Mamma Mia J/70 – Padawan & Joda Notes
Reference Honda BF5A4 BADE Yamaha F4BMHL 6EC Yamaha F2.5BMHS 6EG (1)
Type 4 stroke
Serviced by Mécanique Navale Martin Sàrl Marine Creation (2)
Power (HP) 5 4 2.5 (3)
Fuel Unleaded petrol
Choke Yes
Internal fuel tank No Yes Yes (4)
External fuel tank Yes Yes No (5)
Fuel tap No Yes, three positions:
Off, internal thank, external thank		 Yes, two positions:
On, Off		 (6)
Gears Forward, neutral and reverse Forward, neutral and reverse Forward and neutral (7) (8)
Kick up Motor should be able to kick up in forward but not in reverse gear (9)
Clutch None (10)
Special feature Speed in reverse limited Safety feature blocks the start cord if in gear (3)
Links to manuals Owner manual
Service manual		 Owner manual
Service manual		 Owner manual

Notes

(1) Jedi's Honda motor came with a boat we purchased but later scrapped; it will eventually be replaced by a motor similar to Mic Mac and Mamma Mia.
(2) Important to know for spare parts and service
(3) Jedi's motor is more powerful in forward gear but arguably underpowered compared with the Surprises in reverse. This safety feature is designed to avoid damage to the engine bracket when in reverse so should not be overridden.
(4) Please do not use the internal tanks on the Surprises as they may contain moisture / dirt which can block the motor
(5) The external fuel tanks should be detached from the motor and stored before tilting the motor for sailing to avoid damage to the fuel line and the tank itself, as well as flooding of the engine.
(6) Many reported problems are due to members failing to turn the fuel on or in the case of the Surprises because someone has inadvertently switched the fuel to internal tank which should be empty.
(7) Padawan & Joda's motor must be turned through 180° to have reverse gear, this should only be done with minimum engine speed and the motor should not be turned from forward to reverse when the boat is moving forwards unless you hold the motor to avoid it kicking up before the kick up mechanism is engaged, see below.
(8) Reverse gear should only be used for slow manoeuvring, not for stopping the boat.
(9) All motors have a mechanical device to ensure that they can only kick up in forward gear, but these devices need fine adjustment and can all too easily be damaged.
(10) As the motors do not have a clutch, gear changes should only be done with minimum speed,

Last modified: September 2024 TF and FM