Good news is I got this on a live eel in the rocks off the Sound side of Pasque Island, the next one north of Cuttyhunk...38.5 inches & 25 #...:)
bad news is boat blew something in the motor & we limped back to the boat launch early...which, of course, means "get out the ever flattening wallet & start counting" :(

Jerry,

Nice fish.

Second, what's wrong with the engine. What kind of sound did it make?

There are a few things I can think of that would make you lose some power such as a blown gasket or failing piston ring. I'm thinking that maybe you aren't getting full compression and that is resulting in a loss of power. The good thing about these two malfunctions is the parts tend to be cheap. The problem with these is it's labor intensive. Each requires you to pull off the cylinder head.

You know, you could pick up a book on your engine, read up on tinkering with your engine and might save yourself some bucks in the long run. MOST of the time, all you need to fix an engine are some hex wrenches and some screw drivers. The one tool that you might not have is a torque wrench which is needed on the more intensive jobs. The biggest tool you can have is know how.

Ahhhh, Patrick...always ready with expert advice regardless of what the subject at hand might be...catching giant bluefins from the shore, new & exotic bait rigs lifted from outdoor magazines (the dreaded Dog Run caper), Cabin Cruiser's 'r Us, Gum Boots in the Surf and now, The Low-Rent approach to Outboard Motor Repair. We are, indeed, twice blessed.

Yes Patrick, I do happen to possess a torque wrench, as well as the good sense to ignore whatever empty-headed pronouncements issue from your itchy-on-the-keyboard fingers.
I also possess sufficient sense not to put myself or my passengers in danger by pretending that I have sufficient expertise to tinker with something that I know little about, a quality, I might add, that seems to be sadly lacking in you.
You find outboard motor repair a simple matter for one who owns a few hex wrenchs, screw drivers and perhaps a torque wrench? Fine, I advise you to hurry to your nearest boatyard and inform the owner that he can obtain your services for a modest hourly fee. Let him know that you are capable of diagnosing an engine problem merely by asking whether it made a sound that goes flickety-flook-frap-freep or, perhaps, brap-broop-badda-bing-kafooey-snort.

Also, be sure to let him know that you will have lots more spare time for outboard repair now that the folks at Noreast.com have punched your ticket over there, thereby reducing the number of fishing forums willing to allow you to post your nonsense to this one. Whither goest, Patrick, when the lights go out here? You might give that some thought.

So live long & prosper, Patrick (as the pointy-eared one would say), but if it's not too much to ask...GROW UP.

Make it so. Jean Luc P. has high hopes for you. As do I....

Well this makes things easy then, go spend a couple hundred on engine repairs.

I bet you I could take apart your engine, diagnose the problems and if the parts were available, I could fix it, put it back together in perfect running order in a day, if the parts were available that is and I had the manual.

There is nothing to engines. Intake, compression, explosion, exhaust. Man Jerry, you have a major bug up your butt.

Pstrick---you see Jerry's picture there? I'm gonna err on the conservative side, I'm gonna say he's got at least 40 years more of living than you under his belt, and all of it in the real world. Like most mature adults, he's well aware of his abilities and limitations. I can read a Chilton's manual as well as you can, and I actually helped out in my uncle's gas station/garage in Attleboro when I was younger than you. It doesn't mean I'm gonna be the one to drop a head gasket in my truck engine and then take it 7 miles down the beach. At least, if I screw it up and my engine dies, my life isn't in danger. Those holes between the Elizabeths are very unforgiving waters. I've been out on Middle Ground when it was as calm as a lake, and then, about 1 in the afternoon, the wind comes up anout 20 SW as the tide swings outgioing, and that wind blowing against the falling tide can have you bouncing around like a cork.

You have to learn to stop being defensive and show people the proper respect when they point out to you, politely or not, that you're speaking out of your rectum. Because as I pointed out to you before George pulled your plug, most people can tell when someone knows what they're talking about and when a guy is regurgitating something he's read about somewhere. I stopped being that guy because I know it's pointless, and because I thought you had turned a corner in your maturing process. But, there's no shortage of guys who haven't had their fill of dances with you that will eagerly break your gonads until you lose it and force John, or Walter on NJStriper, to punch your ticket, too.

Jerry, that's too bad about your engine troubles . Bad timing from the looks of that bass. But it's good you made it back to the ramp in one piece. I hope it isn't anything too serious.

If I can go this Wednesday, would you like to join me on my boat out of Onset for an early morning of fishing either down the islands or to Cape Cod bay? I just have to finish this one job on tuesday but I would like to use the boat once before I go away on thurs. since I worked both yesterday and today.

Love to, Bruce...let me double check with the missus to make sure I didn't agree to do something that I've forgotten about, but if you're able to get away, I'd love to.
Drop me an e-mail on time & directions if it's a go...

Mike,

There is nothing to it man. It's like legos. The pieces fit together nice and easy. If he doesn't think he can do it, then he shouldn't but that doesn't mean I CAN'T. Outboard engines are my bread and butter. That's what I enjoy doing. It's my pleasure to take something apart and put it together.

Patrick??? Bread & Butter??? I am probally closer to the age of Roccus than I am to you...I gaurantee it...To me my Bread & Butter is my job....Last time I knew you were still in search of one...Patrick...slow down and read Roccus's post..It makes a lot of sense....

Just a little story here..

Awhile back my hubby (who is indeed a mechanic by the way) sent his transmission to a professional to be rebuilt. The cost was high and we knew this before hand but decided (out of convinience and among other things) to go ahead with this. Could he have done it himself??? Surely he could....but who wants to chance it?? Not to mention there is a year warranty on the work done (thats a good thing) we had it back in two days and she shifts like a dream! Patrick....sometime you will learn that life doesnt always flow like you need or want it to, and sometimes it doesnt make sense either.

OK...lets say hypothetically that you were a foot surgeon that had a brain tumor....would you try and fix it yourself??? or would you go to a brain surgeon??? Thats what I thought.......

See I wont even give you the chance to try and defend yourself because (hypothetically) you are now a vegetable

;D

I just spent a LONG weekend with GF's family on golf course (108, 104, 'nuf said), got skunked in the beautiful trout water's of Vermont (44 degrees at 5AM!), got skunked this evening upon returning to my local spots, and now, hoping to hear of fellow board members' weekend successes, (and maybe some tips) I get to read this drivel?!?!?!? OUCH! I just don't have the words to express the disappointment I feel from reading yet another one of these threads on a site that I look forward to opening on a daily basis.

Sorry to hear of the boat problems Roccus.

Nightfighter,
Spent Saturday with the wife on the beach in Gloucester. Good news is that I took my resident friend's truck to the beach; free parking. The water was lousy with schoolies (no fishing in that area...bad news).
It's important to spend time with the significant other (it is much appreciated by her at this time of the year)...you obviously have a lot of patience to put in two rounds (front and back) instead of 2 days in the salt.
Thank God my wife hates golf more than fishing!!!
50+ fish last week, one went 25#, and all while the sun was up(while working 60 hours).
Jerry, with the looks of that fish, you obviously know the time to seek the advice of professionals! Hope it's not too bad!
Rick

SORRY BOUT YER BOAT. that stinks out loud. at least you got in.
slip honey i knew you were cheating on me.

Whoa Roccus, almost makes it all worth while he. Well atleast until after dinner. Sorry to hear, you gotta stick to the shore. :(

Now as far as diagnosing the problem:

Patrick (07-15-2001 09:12):
Jerry,
Second, what's wrong with the engine. What kind of sound did it make? .

if it is a wirl-wirl sound all is well. a kachunk-calunk-unk-junck. Then Patrick is right and it is a piston ring. This is what you do. "remove the engine cover. Place ginderly onto the deck of the boat, careful not to leave any grease marks or other imperfections. Then proceed to skambable the framble, while tightening the grightening. DO NOT loosen the foosville (as all the who's did in Who'sville). And that is that."


Patrick (07-15-2001 09:12):
There are a few things I can think of that would make you lose some power such as a blown gasket or failing piston ring.
I'm thinking that maybe you aren't getting full compression and that is resulting in a loss of power. The good thing about these two malfunctions is the parts tend to be cheap. The problem with these is it's labor intensive. Each requires you to pull off the cylinder head.

Cost of aggravation: say $55
Cost of repair: $125
Patrick diagnosing and repairing on the internet: Priceless.

Patrick (07-15-2001 09:12): You know, you could pick up a book on your engine, read up on tinkering with your engine and might save yourself some bucks in the long run.

And if you couldn't fix it you could hang out on the internet and tell everyone what is wrong with their engines. Then again you could pick up a coupla' books on striped bass fishin' and then you could just... well you know the rest

Patrick (07-15-2001 09:12):
MOST of the time, all you need to fix an engine are some hex wrenches and some screw drivers. The one tool that you might not have is a torque wrench which is needed on the more intensive jobs.
Yes, Roccus, it does kinda bring back all those memorable posts.

Patrick (07-15-2001 09:12): The biggest tool you can have is know how.
Oh if only this advice was taken by the giver! Priceless, absolutely priceless!

Rocuss, I am not making light of your current troubles, I am sorry, I know it is a huge expense and headache. Something most of us can appreciate.

BM: What is with you and the camera :) Are you testing out a new plug design with those pants? :-D

Farquer, you are a jerk. Plain and simple. I don't even care if that gets me banned or what. It feels great just to be able to say that.

If it's one thing I know, it's engines.
Engine work isn't rocket science. I repair engines, that's what I do, for fun. Any two stroke engine, I can repair if I can manipulate it with my hands being I don't have an engine lift. Outboards, chainsaws, lawnmowers, you name it, I can fix it.

So why don't YOU get a clue about what you are talking about because it's pretty clear you have no clue. Take a look back on this board and read about my education as far as the marine industry.

Hi Patrick,

Since engine is your thing, please visit my thread in Noreast.

OOOPs, I just realized....never mind

Do you really want me to be your buddy? LOL

This is ridiculous. Patrick, I have seen you post repsonses to questions on every fishing message board I've been to. There are several that I haven't seen that apparently you either post on or have been banned from. I've seen you reply to questions posted on the Rodbuilder's Guild Message Board, on Tony Stetzko's board under the alias "Patrick the Jetty Jockey", and on the CT River board. I'll give you credit for one thing, and that is being well read of the internet fishing world. I try to limit my postings to those areas in which I have direct real world experience.
You may be the greatest small engine mechanic that ever turned a wrench, but your response to Jerry Vovcsko was long on arrogance and short on tact. You call Farquar a jerk? You bring such posts upon yourself.
John R is very tolerant of you as are many of the regulars of this board, for which you should be grateful. Allow me to give you a polite warning not to conduct yourself on other boards in the same manner as they likely will not be as tolerant.

Patrick (07-16-2001 02:58):
Farquer, you are a jerk. Plain and simple.

Classic.

Roccuss, sorry to hear about the motor going south but fortunately, your just some bailing wire and bumper fluid and a Yahoo search away from her purring like a cat dangling off Niagra Falls again...

OK That said, Patrick, stick to what you know. You're correct that working on an outboard is not rocket science but one thing rocket science (well, manned rockets anyway) and saltwater outboard mechanics have in common is that the quality of their work is directly responsible for the ability for the craft to get their crew home safe and sound. I know many high quality auto mechanics that can diagnose problems by sound based on YEARS of experience in addition to YEARS of training. ASE Certified Master Mechanics. Having won awards from Toyota, Jeep, GM, Ford and so on, these mechanics still need to regularly train to keep current and as their jobs keeps the lights on and food on their tables, they do it every day. No different than a marine mechanic doing it every day (as opposed to reading and theorizing about it on the web).

I was an asm at a Toyota shop for a few years and had worked for several dealers along the way. As my own mechanic, I've rebuilt a couple engines (with help) and done some mid-level engine work on my own. I worked on my old boat motor doing no more than mid-level repairs because it was easy and something I was very familiar with. A 4.3 Chevy V-6 I/O (a 350 Chevy missing 2 cylinders) that was within my scope of knowledge. I did work that I was able to do but sent the tough stuff to the pros. You are not a pro yet you tell others to use your advice and circumvent the safe road. Do you do it because it makes you feel good to dole out advice?

OK - got on a tangent there. What I mean in a nutshell is: Don't give advise on something that you don't know. I don't give a flying hooha at a rolling donut that you've gone to school on it. That your extensive educational background means that YOU THINK you know your business. If you are that good, take your immense capabilities and GET A JOB with them.

Enough is enough, OK? No more optical rectumitis.

Everyone else that likes jousting with Patrick purely for sport, I think yer encouraging him to dole out more drivel...

John,

It's not people like Roccus who actually add to this board, it's people like Farquer that is only on here to start up trouble.

I didn't want to say anything but I am anyway. You brought it here Patrick,be careful what you type. See what happened to Derek for opening his yap, at least he can take a joke. I notice some folks treat you like a kid brother and seem to pick on you but you seem to do your share of giving them reason. Can we talk about stripers now? Did you catch any this weekend?

Patrick, I'm not pointing a finger at Roccus or a few others that have, well, let's say stirred the pot a little at Noreast (well I guess a little :P ) ...And I'm not considering bouncing people (yet) but I will not let things get out of of line here, so be gentle guys...

Patrick, when you get out of line, which I mean by offering advice which does not root itself in experience, you act all suprised when people shoot back. You are not someone that should be offering much help. You should be applying what you read - FISHING. Then, once that's done, debate online what you think works and what doesn't. I'm not talking about just one bike ride to the dock/jetty/reef. If you are really serious about fishing you should make a concentrated effort to do so. If you want to talk and theorize, I suggest that you do it elsewhere or start your own site. You're not really helping yourself or others here and this can't really be "theraputic" for you either.

I agree with you, John.

Patrick , regardless of the merits of this topic , it appears to me that someone is coming here to cause trouble and get you tossed off this board. If you are half as smart as you think you are , you'll ignore that person , totally. I'm watching what's happening and I'm sure John is too. This other person cares nothing for this board , I think you do. He won't care about getting tossed as long as you get tossed too. Be careful.

I don't like the idea that someone never posts except to cause trouble. I don't care who they are causing trouble with. Patrick's up here striking out a lot (and he takes his lumps for it) but at least he's taking a swing at the subjects posted (you don't have to swing at every pitch Patrick).However , If you are coming here and doing nothing but causing trouble , please change or go away on your own. I won't ask again.