www.iFourWinns.com

I've been trying to figure out what size (how big) of an outboard can I fit into the transom locker of the 318.

I've basically got it down to 2 choices -- the 2hp air cooled Honda that's all the rave, and also the 2.5hp Yamaha that is an up and comer.

The Yamaha has the advantage of being able to be stored 'prop side up' or on the tiller handle side. The Honda is stored on the non-tiller hande side.

I know the Honda will fit... but also found out today that the Yamaha will fit. Price difference is pretty significant... $690 for the Yamaha and almost $900 for the Honda.

My big concern is that if I have any of the outboards stored - will I have to worry about the oil moving into the cylinders when I am going on plane, turning, taking evasive maneuvers, etc... basically anything other than idle cruising...


Here is the Yamaha prop side up in the transom locker


Here is the Yamaha laying tiller handle down. I don't really like how the prop shaft is at an angle upwards...



Do you guys think either of the positions will be problematic? The Honda lays tiller side up, but will have the same "horizontal" concerns.

What do you guys think?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Wow, that's a big trunk!! It looks like you could fit a set of golf clubs in there as well. My 298 has that goofy fender rack in the back locker. I took one part of it out just to fit my little grille and aft anchor in it. Even if I took the whole thing out I could never get an outboard in it. Maybe an electric trolling motor would fit.

By the way, Cougarcruiser, we are tired of seeing your boat hanging in the lift. Any photos of that beautiful thing in the water or under way?!

2-strokes can typically be stored in just about any orientation, save for upside down. The only requirement is you usually have to run them until the fuel tank is empty. Mine uses an external tank so it only has to idle for about 5 minutes before it's dry. I don't know if the smaller ones with built-in tanks have special storage requirements. I do know that all 4-strokes have very specific storage orientation requirements. You cannot let them tip over from it either otherwise oil will seep into the combustion chamber and foul the plug. That and leave less (or no) oil where it's needed.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

+1 to that, and some FW factory pictures as well.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I've gotten side tracked with the factory pictures... I'll work on putting a few together and getting approval to post them.

Just so there's no question, here's proof I went:
From lunch:




As for changing my signature pic - I'll work on that.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Both the Yamaha and Honda will fit in the locker on the sides. The Yamaha also has the benefit of being able to be store prop-side-up. This is not normal for most 4 strokes, but it is in the manual and there are 'bumpers' on the case to allow for this.

Regardless, the locker won't allow the motor to tip over or anything - it barely fits.

My concern is what do I need to worry about for seeping for the short times when I am coming on/off plane or in a banked turn of some sort? Or waves? Should I be worried?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

What's "normal" for 4-stroke storage orientation is whatever the manufacturer says it is. Some do handle it differently.

While mixing up the gas/oil and the noise are downsides of 2-strokes, their storage flexibility and lower weight is great.

I wouldn't worry about the angles from the brief periods of time you're talking about. It's not like you're talking about extreme angles for any significant period of time. It couldn't hurt to ask the vendor about it but I'm guessing they'll say the same thing.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista