[Rhodes22-list] Some questions

[bobfcohen at gmail.com]

I have been reading the various recent postings about outboard motors with
great interest. I have a 2007 Rhodes with a hand-start 4-stroke Honda 5 HP
motor probably of the same age.  It works reasonably well, although the gear
box had to be replaced a couple of years ago.  We also have a GB motor lift
trolley system, which continues to work very well.

 

There are two chronic problems with the motor.  One is that shifting gears
is awkward.  The shift mechanism is not on the handle with the throttle.  It
is located on the side of the motor and is very hard to reach, especially if
I am facing forward.  Our jury-rig solution is to have a piece of PVC pipe
which I can put onto the shift mechanism when I am backing out of the slip
and need to change gears.  It is very clumsy (and can be lost overboard).
The other problem is that my wife and I are in our 70's.  She would be
unable to start the motor by pulling on the cord if something were to happen
to me.  

 

With these problems we need to make some changes, especially with regard to
the hand-start aspect of the motor.  Is it possible to retrofit some kind of
electric starter on a motor like ours?  Assuming not, we would be looking at
buying another motor. It would need to be electric start and have the shift
control on the handle with the throttle.  Our 5 HP Honda is also a little
underpowered  for our location on Portage Lake in northern Michigan,  which
connects to Lake Michigan.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for what we should look for in a
replacement motor? I don't think we want to get an electric motor as some on
the List have suggested, given the need to use it (or at least have it
available for use) on Lake Michigan.  I have seen suggestions on the List
for an 8 HP Mercury with the shift on the handle.

 

Also, our hand-held anemometer broke.  Does anyone have suggestions about a
good hand-held anemometer to replace it?

 

Thanks,

Bob Cohen  



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