Outboard motor, lightest and quietest?

[Molteni]

We have an ancient Yamaha 3.5hp outboard. It works very well but is both noisy and heavy, 19kg is a lot to lift down into the dinghy!

It's also more powerful than we need for our small inflatable.

I've always been impressed when a dinghy goes by with a Honda 2.3 outboard - very quiet!

Are there other low powered outboards to consider s/h, quietness and light weight are the main considerations.

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[jamie N]

I'm a fan of the Honda, its reliability and lightness, but wouldn't ever accuse it of being a "quiet outboard".

 

[RivalRedwing]

If the funds are there then electric is the way to go... blissfully quiet & the battery readily splits off which halves the weight and, if you are worried about such things, the epropulsion battery floats (although I have yet to test that!). Oh yes, and no need to store petrol on the boat.

 

[Bouba]

I'm a fan of the Honda, its reliability and lightness, but wouldn't ever accuse it of being a "quiet outboard".

Yes, the Honda is air cooled making it the noisiest of all the four strokes. But I think it’s the best??

 

[chriss999]

If the funds are there then electric is the way to go... blissfully quiet & the battery readily splits off which halves the weight and, if you are worried about such things, the epropulsion battery floats (although I have yet to test that!).

That’s certainly the way I’m planning to go for my next one. With quietness and portability in mind. To replace a Honda 2.3 which has been good but which won’t last much longer.
But the price is high.

 

[coopec]

Suzuki Outboard 2.5 HP Engine

The Suzuki 2.5hp is the smallest and lightest 4 stroke outboard Suzuki has ever produced. Weighing in at just 13kg, it is compact, balanced and easy to carry, yet delivers all the power you need for small tenders, dinghies and inflatables.

Suzuki Outboard 2.5 HP Engine

Outboard - smallest, lightest, best - petrol or electric?

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I had a Honda 2hp (same as 2.3hp) was light and reliable. I now have a Suzuki 2.5 which is equally as light and reliable. The Honda has a clutch instead of gear selector and it is air cooled. The Suzuki has gear selector and it is noticeably more powerful. Some people say that the Honda is more noisy, but the difference is negligible. I like the simplicity of the Honda despite that the carburettor bowl and bolts get rusty, which is highly annoying.

 

[Ink]

I have a Honda 2.3.

I've had it for 17 years. In that time it has been twice professionally serviced following a ducking, with one new carb fitted. It looks pretty rusty inside.

It's noisy but in my opinion almost indestructible and seems to go on for ever. Once you get used to the clutch easily manoeuvrable.

Being air cooled you can have it on the pushpit and start it up without needing cooling water.

I would take some persuading not to buy another.

Regards
Ink

 

[Kukri]

I like my Seagull Forty Plus.

Not the lightest, not the quietest, but made of good materials. Simple and reliable.

 

[Bouba]

I like my Seagull Forty Plus.

Not the lightest, not the quietest, but made of good materials. Simple and reliable.

Is it called that because when it was new is cost more than forty shillings ??‍?

 

[pvb]

If the funds are there then electric is the way to go... blissfully quiet & the battery readily splits off which halves the weight and, if you are worried about such things, the epropulsion battery floats (although I have yet to test that!). Oh yes, and no need to store petrol on the boat.

Yes, there are big benefits to electric. I chose Torqeedo, and have no regrets. But, they are more expensive to buy, although wonderfully quiet and so easy to mount on the dinghy bit-by-bit.

 

[Kukri]

I notice that Seamark Nunn (Whom God Preserve!) only have Torqueedos in the shop now.

 

[pvb]

I notice that Seamark Nunn (Whom God Preserve!) only have Torqueedos in the shop now.

But they still sell petrol outboards, I think?

 

[Kukri]

But they still sell petrol outboards, I think?

I dare say. I didn’t ask. But a big display of Torqueedos!

 

[ghostlymoron]

I like my Seagull Forty Plus.

Not the lightest, not the quietest, but made of good materials. Simple and reliable.

Mine is my favourite engine it's light, makes a pleasing noise and reliable despite being over fifty years old. I see no reason why it won't do another fifty. I've adjusted to run on 20:1 which makes it a lot less polluting.

 

[pvb]

I dare say. I didn’t ask. But a big display of Torqueedos!

Seamark Nunn are a big Torqeedo dealer, service point and warranty handler. They know loads about Torqeedos.

 

[harvey38]

Suzuki DF2.5, quiet, lightweight neutral and forward gear and not let us down.......yet!

 

[Bradders]

I have had two Honda outboards supplied by Seamark Nunn a 10hp and a 6hp, I still have the 10 and have no intention of getting rid of it, the 10hp never misses a heart beat and I’m so impressed with the 6hp - amazing engine, I personally wouldn’t go with anything else but Honda and the service from Seamark is second to none !!

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

In my post above I said that I now have a Suzuki DF2.5. A couple of years ago, the Suzuki was left on the ground the wrong way round, for many hours, however, the engine started without any issues.
A few weeks ago, during the storm Evert we were in the Scilly isles; the Suzuki was at the back of the dinghy. Unfortunately, during the storm, which was blowing at 55 knots, the dinghy with the engine was picked up by the wind and turned upside down,; the engine was in the water for 12 hours. After the storm, I opened the screw to drain the carburettor, took out the spark plug to make sure no oil was in the cylinder, poured a bottle of fresh water on the engine and it started straight away. So, yes, I am happy with the Suzuki so far

 

[Steve65]

But they still sell petrol outboards, I think?

Very very few new outboards are entering UK at the moment