5/6HP outboard economy/reliability

[tadpole]

What sort of economy are people getting from smallish outboards, ie hours per gallon, and which are the most reliable?

 

[Pelican]

Hi - I have a 5hp Honda 4 stroke on my Pioneer tender - it usually starts on the first or second pull, sips the petrol - has a seperate 14 litre (I think) tank and over the last three years has been very reliable. The engine is perhaps a bit primative - have a look at similar sized Yamaha - they are very good too - perhaps even a bit quieter!
Cheers
Pelican

 

[CraigBradley]

Tadpole, we had an 8hp long shaft 2 stroke Yamaha on the back of our Sadler 26 for 7 years. So long as you look after it i.e. correct mixture, clean fuel and a flush with fresh water, ours was brilliant. I estimate it ran at about 2 to 3 litres per hour in cruising mode i.e. 4.5 knots and probably double that at full steam - 6.25 knots I recall.

 

[tr7v8]

As regards reliability Yam & Honda seem top of the tree with everything else coming afterwards.
Jim
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[rbrooks]

I have a Yamaha 3.5Hp that is 29 years old this year. It is even air cooled to boot.
starts second pull with out fail and has never been opened up. I can definatly recomend Yamaha.
Best of luck with your choice.

 

[Buck]

I've always ran Tohatsu, they survive loads of abuse and are very reliable in my experience, Yamaha runs a close but more expensive second.

Buck

Relax, life is just a game.