Yamaha 115HP 2-stroke

[percy]

I think I'm about to buy a RIB with a 1999 Yamaha 115HP 2-stroke outboard. We'll only be using the boat for summer fun, but is there anything (unpleasant) I need to know about these engines?

Thanks

[NDA]

percy said:

I think I'm about to buy a RIB with a 1999 Yamaha 115HP 2-stroke outboard. We'll only be using the boat for summer fun, but is there anything (unpleasant) I need to know about these engines?

Thanks

How many hours are on the engine?

Have you looked/asked on Ribnet? (Forum for Rib'sters)

I have a Yamaha 4 stroke 150, so I'm not familiar with the world of 2 stroke I'm afraid - but I imagine, as with all things Yamaha and marine, that it will be reliable.

[percy]

Hi - have just posted same Q on RibNet
Not sure how many hours, but it has just been serviced.

[NDA]

percy said:

Hi - have just posted same Q on RibNet
Not sure how many hours, but it has just been serviced.

You will get some (hopefully) useful answers on Ribnet.

Is this your first boat?

Hours are relevant, particularly when measured against price of the total package. Also is the engine right for the size/weight of the boat? It probably is as the 115 is quite a punchy size.

Let us know what happens!

[danyeates]

Great engine. You won't have any problems with it. Buy it! I've had a word with our service centre, no known weak points on them, very reliable and tough engines. Very sought after, if a little thirsty!

[willfinch36]

Very good engines, however 2 strokes are thirsty!

[percy]

Thanks for the replies.
I've gone and bought the Rib with the Yam engine. It's a Humber Destroyer 5.3m and the price was right

[NDA]

percy said:

Thanks for the replies.
I've gone and bought the Rib with the Yam engine. It's a Humber Destroyer 5.3m and the price was right

Excellent! It should be great fun in the summer.

Please do wear an auto inflate jacket at all times - never go boating without one.

[danyeates]

Excellent. My colleague has one. You'll love it.

I had an Avon 560 with a Mercury 115hp Optimax and that flew, it would hit 44 knots! I’m sure a 5.3m with the Yamaha V4 115hp will be a rocket!

[maser_spyder]

NDA said:

Excellent! It should be great fun in the summer.

Please do wear an auto inflate jacket at all times - never go boating without one.

^^ Definitely this.

And a handheld VHF.

And a personal EPIRB if you think you can justify the cost (they're cheap now).

You should always put aside a good sum in your budget for decent safety gear, apologies if this is teaching you to suck eggs!

[NDA]

I fell out of my boat the other year at high speed, dislocating my shoulder in the process. Mirror smooth sea, 80 degrees - perfect conditions.

No kill cord being used (my fault). Thankfully life jacket on - otherwise I would have drowned, definitely would have drowned.

I am now an evangelist for life jackets in ALL conditions at sea. They most definitely save lives and have to be worn.

[percy]

Thanks for the replies.
Already sorted with life-jackets as I've been safety-boat crew for a few years at local sailing club, and yes - I always wear the killcord. On the lookout for handheld vhf and gps plotter. Thinking of the Garmin 451s as it seems a reasonable bit of kit for the price.

[percy]

Just spent a week in the Scillies playing on the boat.
The engine is fantastic - but loves to drink petrol!
I'm hooked, but skint

[maser_spyder]

percy said:

Just spent a week in the Scillies playing on the boat.
The engine is fantastic - but loves to drink petrol!
I'm hooked, but skint

Fantastic! Nice to hear an update on threads like this.

I'm sure it was well worth it, but you should know better that boating sucks up cash like nothing else....

[scubadude]

Boats are holes in the water which your eternally try to fill with cash.... but good fun in the mean time.

Yam 115hp should fly unless the RIB is a really huge fat turd :-)

2-strokes are thristy in an Oliver Reed stylee but the noise and performance can be very entertaining.

One thing on outboards- don't skimp on replacing the consumables (both fluids and parts- like water pumps etc) In my experience outboards don't suffer with- "simple, cheap to fix problems" they work or they break properly!!! :-)