Living With the Nissan 3. 5 Outboard Motor
If you're looking for a reliable way to make your little boat moving with no breaking the back, the nissan 3. 5 outboard motor is probably already on your radar. It's one of those legendary little engines that appears to pop up everywhere—hanging from the back of inflatable tenders, pushed to the corners of garages, or powering small aluminum angling boats on quiet lakes. Even though Nissan Marine eventually moved forward out of the particular outboard market, these specific 3. five hp models remain a staple intended for boaters who value simplicity over fancy features.
What makes this particular motor so interesting isn't just its specifications, but the method it fits in to a boater's life. It's not a beastly engine designed intended for speed; it's a tool designed with regard to convenience. I've noticed people treat these types of things like indestructible lawnmowers for your drinking water, and in plenty of ways, that's precisely what they are.
The Secret Behind the particular Badge
Just before we get as well deep into how it runs, there's some "insider info" you need to know if you're thinking of buying one or looking for parts. Nissan Marine didn't actually manufacture these types of engines from scratch. With regard to years, they were built by Tohatsu. This is actually a huge plus. This means that under that smooth Nissan cowling, you're basically looking at a Tohatsu 3. 5.
The reason why does that matter? Well, it means parts are extremely easy to find. Even when your local sea shop doesn't have "Nissan" parts anymore, they almost definitely have Tohatsu parts which are identical straight down to the final bolt. It also means the engineering is rock-solid. Tohatsu has a reputation for making some of the most reliable little outboards in the particular world, and the particular nissan 3. 5 outboard motor benefited directly from that expertise.
Portability is the Title of the Sport
One of the biggest factors people gravitate toward this motor may be the weight. Let's become honest, hauling a 50-pound motor lower a slippery boat dock or across a beach is nobody's idea of a good time. Many versions of the Nissan 3. 5 weigh in at around 27 in order to 30 pounds. That's light enough in order to carry with a single hand while you're carrying a fuel can or a life jacket in the other.
For someone along with a small dinghy or a square-stern canoe, this portability is really a game-changer. You don't need the trailer, and also you don't need a permanent mounting setup. You can just clamp it on, tighten the thumb screws, plus you're ready to go. When you're done for the morning, it's small plenty of to toss in the trunk of the sedan without taking up the entire area.
Simple Procedure and Real-World Efficiency
Don't expect to win any kind of races with a 3. 5 horsepower engine. If you're hoping to get the heavy boat upward on a plane, you're going to be disappointed. However, for pushing the 10-foot inflatable or even an 8-foot tough tender, it's perfect. It moves you along in a quick walking pace—sometimes the little faster in case you're alone as well as the water is cup.
The setup is usually pretty straightforward. Most of these models come with an integrated fuel tank on best. It is a massive "quality of life" feature since it eliminates the particular need for an external tank and the fuel line cluttering up the floor associated with your boat. You just fill the little tank on top (usually about the quarter-gallon or so), turn the in-take on the cover, and pull the particular cord.
One thing in order to keep in mind may be the shifting—or lack thereof. Many variations from the nissan 3. five outboard motor don't have a traditional gear shift. These are "neutral and forward" or even sometimes just immediate drive. To visit within reverse, you actually rotate the entire engine 180 degrees. It sounds a bit clunky if you've never done it, but you obtain used to this within five moments. It's an easy mechanised solution that will keep the weight lower and reduces the number of parts that can break.
Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke
You'll find the Nissan 3. five in both two-stroke and four-stroke versions, depending on just how old the device is. The old two-strokes are punchy, incredibly light, and have that traditional "bzzzz" sound. One does have to blend the oil and gas, which many people find annoying, but they are mechanically quite simple.
The newer four-stroke models really are a little bit heavier and run a lot noise-free. You don't have to mixing oil, and they're much much better for the environment. Nevertheless, four-strokes have a "fussy" side: a person can usually just lay them upon one specific aspect to prevent the particular crankcase oil through leaking into the particular cylinder. If you're someone who simply tosses your motor into the back of a vehicle, the two-stroke might actually be more your speed.
Keeping It Running: Maintenance Suggestions
If you take proper care of a nissan 3. 5 outboard motor , it'll probably outlive your boat. But mainly because these engines are so small, their components are also small—especially the carburetor jets.
The number one monster of these very little motors is modern ethanol fuel. Because the fuel passages in a three or more. 5 hp carburetor are tiny (think the diameter of the needle), even a little bit of "gunk" from older gas can clog them up. If your motor starts fine but dies when you give it fuel, or if it will only run with the choke pulled out, you've probably got a dirty carb.
Here's a pro tip: Always use ethanol-free gasoline if a person can think it is. Plus if the motor is going to sit for more than the couple of weeks, turn off the fuel valve while the engine is still running and let it starve itself of fuel till it dies. This clears out your carburetor bowl so there's no gas still left inside to show in to varnish.
A person also want to monitor the shear pin number . Small outboards such as this often use a shear flag to connect the particular propeller to the shaft. If you hit a stone or a solid patch of weeds, the pin is made to snap so that the impact doesn't destroy your inner gears. It's a great safety function, but it means you should always carry a couple of spare pins and a pair of pliers in your pocket. There's nothing more frustrating compared to having a properly good engine that won't turn the particular prop because associated with a broken $2 piece of metallic.
Is This Worth Buying One particular Used?
Considering that Nissan isn't making new outboards any more, most people looking for a nissan 3. 5 outboard motor are browsing the particular used market. Because they are so durable, you could find 15 or 20-year-old units that still run like these people just came out there of the box.
When you're looking at an utilized one, check the water pump very first. When the engine is running, you ought to see a constant stream of water "peeing" out of the back. If it's only a dribble or nothing at all, the particular impeller is probably chance. It's an easy repair, but it's the good bargaining stage. Also, check the particular colour of the lower unit oil. When it looks milky, water is obtaining past the seals, which could mean the bigger headache in the future.
Final Thoughts
At the particular end of the particular day, the nissan 3. 5 outboard motor is of a traditional. It's not flashy, it's not particularly fast, and it doesn't have any high-tech gadgets. Yet it's honest. It's the kind associated with engine that does exactly what it's supposed to do: enable you to get from point A to point N without any theatre.
Whether you're using it to obtain out to your own mooring, exploring the particular hidden corners of the local creek, or teaching a child how to deal with a boat for the first time, it's the solid choice. This reminds us that sometimes, you don't need an enormous V6 and the 50-gallon tank to have a good day on the water. Sometimes, most you need is 30 pounds of clever engineering and a pull-start cord.