Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by CES on 04/27/08 - 9:08 AM

HELP!!. Yesterday while I was on my way back to the boat ramp in our 1966 13' BW Classic, I had a steering casualty. The steering arm on our 1987 40HP Yamaha outbaord snapped. I had to steer the boat by turning the engine holding onto the cowling while sitting on the transom and my 6 year old controlled the throttle.

I have no idea where to begin, who to consult or even where to get parts. I live in North Texas and there aren't many boat mechanics nearby. Anyway, if anyone has ANY advise on what I can do to repair this and get back out on the water, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've attached some photos for reference.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/ceshaw/IMG_1584.jpg[/IMG]
Here, I've pulled the broken peice out for a clearer view.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/ceshaw/IMG_1583.jpg[/IMG]
This is the close up side view.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/ceshaw/IMG_1582.jpg[/IMG]
Another side view.

Thank you very much.

Cliff

Edited by CES on 04/29/08 - 6:19 PM

Posted by TexasOutrage on 04/27/08 - 9:25 AM

Cliff,

The big Yamaha dealer in the Corpus Area is Ronnie's Marine. ronniesmarine.com
They should be able to help you out with the part. They might have an old motor they are parting out as well.

Posted by Derwd24 on 04/27/08 - 9:48 AM

Cliff,

Ouch! If you go to the Yamaha website you can see a parts explosion for your engine to get an idea of the part you need and how it's integrated in there in terms of what's needed to get it repaired. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/.../home.aspx

I guessed at your specific engine model number, but it looks like you're going to need part #31 "6H4-42510-02-EK STEERING BRACKET ASSEMBLY" and unfortunately it's pretty nested in there.

Dave

Posted by duf on 04/27/08 - 12:17 PM

Cliff, the good news is, looking at your pictures, and as stated in your e-mail about steering manually by turning the cowling, you don't have a locked up motor issue, just some serious corrosion in that arm. Just have to replace the piece and you should be good to go! With that as a warning, you may want to look over the rest of your motor linkage and replace anything else thats looking corroded, or at least do some clean and treat.

Duf B)

Posted by TexasOutrage on 04/28/08 - 9:31 AM

I talked to my local Yamaha dealer. The steering bracket is $297. You will need to add the front hook steering bracket and bolts ($65) and new bushings. To replace you need to pull the powerhead and lower unit.

Posted by CES on 04/29/08 - 6:12 AM

Repairing the engine might still be my best option, I don't have the $$ to get another one. I've contacted a few places that sell used parts so we'll see if I get a response. I am sure there has to be at least ONE steering arm out there that is not being used. :D Meanwhile, if anyone knows where I can get a used Steering arm for a 1986 Yamaha, 40 hp, model 40ESJ, I'd really appreciate it.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/boa/660596314.html

Thanks guys.
Cliff

Edited by CES on 04/29/08 - 6:26 AM

Posted by Derwd24 on 04/29/08 - 8:05 AM

If it runs well otherwise, maybe you could find a complete used engine with more serious problems and take the steering part out of it. Then you'd also have a host of replacement parts should anything else need replacing in the future....

Posted by TexasOutrage on 04/29/08 - 8:55 AM

#10

Cliff,

There is a 1987 50hp Yamaha on ebay that does not run. It is in Baton Rouge. Anyone know if the 40hp and 50hp use the same parts?

Item number: 160235316734

Posted by CES on 04/29/08 - 10:08 AM

#12

WOW, great find. The 50hp looks like it might just work. I have a 15' short shaft and the 50hp listed is a 20 inch shaft. There appears to be no difference in the swivel area at all.

The motor looks very promising guys, thank you. I am currently watching this item. The auction closes out in 2 days so when I bid and possibly win this motor, I can drive down to Baton rouge this weekend to get it. Thank you!

Posted by CES on 04/30/08 - 11:23 AM

#15

I ordered a new part from Yamaha using a new part number. Apparently the part number I originally had has been superseded. When I ran the new part number, Japan had the steering brackets in stock. So, I ordered the steering bracket, bushings, studs, power head gasket and some locking bolts. Everything except the steering bracket is located here in the U.S. The steering bracket will be at my house in 10 days...from Japan. So, with all that said...I might just be able to make it to the Memorial Day gathering afterall.

Edited by CES on 04/30/08 - 11:27 AM

Posted by CES on 05/01/08 - 9:31 AM

#17

Just as luck would have it, Yamaha Japan put this part on back order. The earliest the part will be shipped from Japan is May 19. Not good at all.

So....I'm back to finding a used part or something locally.

Edited by CES on 05/01/08 - 9:32 AM

Posted by Derwd24 on 05/01/08 - 3:29 PM

#18

How frustrating! When your dealer checked part availability for you, do you know if they were able to check other dealers inventory or just the warehouse? If you wanted to post the main (updated) part number you need, I'd be glad to (as I'm sure other members would) call the local Yamaha dealer to check for availability. You never know...

Posted by CES on 05/01/08 - 6:32 PM

#19

Yes, it is very frustrating.

The new part number for this part is: 6H4-42510-09-EK .

1986 Yamaha 40hp Model: 40ESJ

I ordered the part from a Yamaha dealer out of Central Florida. I've done a lot of business with them in the past so I had no reason to suspect anything different. The website I ordered from is: www.yamahaoutboardparts.com . They're the ones who told me the part was in a warehouse in Japan when I was on the phone with them yesterday morning. However when I called them today, they told me that Yamaha, or whomever, had to fabricate the part and that it wasn't leaving Japan until 19 May. The dealers I have spoken with have all said the same thing; there aren’t any brackets in any warehouses here. However I find it hard to believe that they have access to all of the marine warehouses in the US. I'd appreciate you calling you're Yamaha dealer in Mass. Thanks a million.

Cliff

Edited by CES on 05/02/08 - 6:08 AM

Posted by Derwd24 on 05/02/08 - 8:58 AM

#20

Hey Cliff,

The place I get my Johnson supplies from has a top notch parts department and they're also a Yamaha dealer. Called and asked about your part. Julie checked and said that unfortunately what you've been told is true. She logged into the Yamaha parts site and confirmed that nobody in the US has this part in stock (wow!) and Japan is the only avenue. Sorry for the bad news, but at least this answers the question and you can decide if you want to wait or search used.

Keep us posted and if you decide to search used, can certainly check my area for possibilities.

Dave

Posted by CES on 05/02/08 - 10:50 AM

#21

Thanks Dave. Well at least I know that no one is pulling my chain.

Yes, I am open towards a used part especially if I can get it before 19 May. I've posted want ads on craigs-list and have been hawking eBay too. Additionally I have been googling used boat parts and have been slowly calling different places.

All I really need is a skeleton of that type of motor so I can cannibalize the part.

Posted by TexasOutrage on 05/02/08 - 10:56 AM

#22

Cliff,

The guy in Baton Rouge that listed the 1987 50hp Yamaha (not-running) on ebay ended his auction because of a problem in the listing. His number is 985 - 507 - 5583 if you want to call him.

Posted by CES on 05/03/08 - 9:01 AM

#25

Wow...funny thing happened. I recieved an email from Central Yamaha in Lake Placid Florida and they said my steering bracket was shipped. This confused me because Yamaha Japan said it would be shipped from there on May 19. So I called Central Yamaha and they verified that the bracket was indeed shipped yesterday to my home in Mckinney. Seems kind of fishy to me, I hope it is the right part. I plan on waiting to disassemble my motor until I have the part in hand and can verfiy that it is indeed the correct part.

Thanks for all your help guys, lets hope this is the right part that is in the mail.

Cliff

Posted by CES on 05/08/08 - 8:12 AM

#26

Good news. I recieved the CORRECT part in the mail yesterday. Tear down begins today after work. I hope I ordered all the correct parts for this project. My intentions are to do a test ride / fishing adventure this Sunday 5/11. Wish me luck and thanks again for all the great advice, phone calls to different marinas and research.

Cliff