Nissan outboard & shear pins

[Georgia]

My Ty came with a little 3.5 HP Nissan outboard. My problem is that any little bump shears the pin! Like shifting from neutral into gear, or a bounce in some chop! This week, I intend to use a piece of cotter pin, or bobby pin, or something. I have had previous incidents with other motors when the shear pin worked as intended, so I realize the purpose, but this is ridiculous! Has anyone else dealt with this?
Georgia
"Prairie Orchid"
Hull 127



gksimpson@attbi.com

[Kurt]

If the engine were idling to too many RPM I could understand shearing a pin when shifting into gear...but shearing a pin when motoring in a chop is simply baffling....are you using the right pin?



kjlgpw@aol.com

[charlie palumbo]

My Ty came with a little 3.5 HP Nissan outboard. My problem is that any little bump shears the pin! Like shifting from neutral into gear, or a bounce in some chop! This week, I intend to use a piece of cotter pin, or bobby pin, or something. I have had previous incidents with other motors when the shear pin worked as intended, so I realize the purpose, but this is ridiculous! Has anyone else dealt with this?
Georgia
"Prairie Orchid"
Hull 127

Georgia,
I have the same engine. I have broken a few shear pins myself.
The key is to shift from neutral to a moving gear at a low idle.
Do not even use the engine without carrying a spare pack of shear pins. While it is a pain in the butt, fortunately changing a pin is easy. Hey, on the plus side the engine runs great.
Charlie cd36 N.Y.



jcp1347j@aol.com

[georgia]

If the engine were idling to too many RPM I could understand shearing a pin when shifting into gear...but shearing a pin when motoring in a chop is simply baffling....are you using the right pin?

As far as I know. Came from a dealer/authorized service shop. The boat did lift up & slam down pretty hard. Perhaps I wasn't at a low enough rpm, but there is a thin line between running & not running.

Thanks all, for the advice.
georgia

[Bill Bloxham]

Me too.
I've a 3.5, and yes, I've broken them in heavy chop.
I had figured the shear pins were an annuity for Tohotsu/Nissan/Mercury (same engine) and lived unhappily with the situation. Then I discovered the generic pins at West Marine - a buck apiece and harder then OEM.
I'm happy now.
Yet I still carry 4 spares. Better safe then rowing.
Bill



mmmmmmbill@earthlink.net