Dinghy Woes, Post 26-41
Updated: 3 days ago
We continue to troubleshoot our dinghy engine, which consumed the whole week.
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Friday, October 2 – Thursday, October 8, 2026
Moving Slowly Together
In recent posts, we touched on a recent problem we have had with our dinghy (The Jeep) being rather slow. This week we continued actively trying to figure out issues with our dingy outboard.
We have a Yamaha 9.9 HP, 4-stroke engine, and ever since Belize we have had issues with getting our dinghy up on plane when Sondra and I are both in the boat. When we actually get up on plane (usually in very calm water or after riding another boat's wake), we get kicked off plane as soon as wave or strong current passes by. In the past we could easily plane with the two of us.
Side note…The importance of getting the boat up on plane is the difference between going exploring in your dinghy from 1-2 miles (not on plane) out to 5-10 miles (on plane) in the same amount of time. The maximum speed we can go off plane is around 6 knots where on plane we can go 15-16 knots. You can explore a lot more with that sort of range. Also, when you are exploring with your friends I just don’t want to be that dingy that brings up the rear and arrives at the beach 15 minutes after everyone else, anymore.
Props
I had a tough time thinking it was the engine since we had a full tune up while in Daytona last December. I have spent the last few weeks taking the engine apart, switching out the spark plugs, adjusting the throttle cable, making sure I can get the engine to wide open throttle. Nothing I have done has made a difference.
Working on the dinghy
The only thing that did not appear up to snuff is our dinghy prop. It has definitely seen some wear and has some sizable dings in it. After doing some research I figured I would try replacing the prop to see if that would solve the issue and purchased a prop at a Yamaha dealership across the river. When I went to change it out, it did not fit, and back to the Yamaha place we went. He said we could not get our size prop in Guatemala and gave us our money back (We had paid cash for it and did not recieve a receipt, so we were a little nervous about returning the prop, but it was not problem).
Next we tried to find one locally, even if used, and I am finding that exceedingly difficult. I made a post made to the Rio Dulce cruisers Facebook page. One person brought over a few props, but nothing fit. Worse case is that we wait until we get back to the States next year and we just move slower in The Jeep.
A Four Stroke Dilema
Without finding a replacement prop, I continued with the troubleshooting and discovered, even though we do have a dinged prop that needs addressing, the bigger issue might be a fuel delivery issue. I had ruled out the carburetor since there were no issues with starting the engine or running continuously. So, with the help of the internet and AI, Sondra and I went out on a test run. Once at full speed, and of course not up on plane, we pumped the priming bulb, and the engine jumped up in power and got up on plane until the extra gasoline had run its course.
So, what could that indicate?
A possible issue with the fuel pump not being able to pump enough fuel to the carburetor when the trottle is wide open.
Maybe there is a restriction in the line from the fuel tank to the engine.
I am suspecting that the fuel pump is the issue. If the pump in our outboard has a leak it drips fuel into the oil supply, and ours does have a faint gasoline smell, so I am thinking this is it (of course I said that about my prop too).
In order to test this out, I wanted a new fuel pump. Returning to the Yamaha shop, we were pretty much greated with "I have nothing in stock for your four-stroke engine, and nobody in Guatemala can help you".
In Guatemala, the lightweight, mechanically reliable and lower cost 2-stroke outboards are ubiquitous. I am not sure the Yamaha guy was correct, but it was apparent that he was tired of dealing with us. We still went to many other stores to look for any fuel pump and struck out.
So, it looks like we need to order parts from the States and have it shipped in with a local company. It should only take a couple of weeks, and the part is not too expensive so the import fees shouldn’t be too bad. Until then I think we can continue to limp along while I covet all of the nearby 15-hp 2-strokes (that are about10 lbs. lighter than our 9.9-hp 4-stroke). Whose to say we won’t end up buying one...?
Other items of interest
Our Thursday Jam Session at Hoppy House
We intended to go to a historical fort nearby this week but with the dinghy trouble shooting, we did not leave the area. Instead we did our normal walks on the local trails, Saturday BBQs at the cruiser’s lounge, and our Thursday night jam sessions at Hoppy House.
Post 26-41
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