Advice on small outboards please

[Guest]

Any small (2hp) outboards to avoid ? I heard that Honda were to be avoided - should I just buy a Yamaha and be done with it ? Any personal recommendations ?
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I bought a s/hand Mariner 2 for £175, with guarantee and its fine .... in fact I am told that I could take out the restrictor, if I could find it !!!!! and increase power to 3hp ....
Most are fine if looked after, it comes down to weight / looks and servicing at the end of day. The Mariner was a lightweight job that suited my Avon perfectly after having had a Johnson 4 Seahorse on it for a year and breaking my back lifting it on / off the pushpit stowage to the dinghy ...... now with the Mariner its a doddle !

 

[Guest]

I've had a Mariner 2 for 15 years. It's a bit battered and brused now but still runs a treat. I've has no major problems with it in all that time. I'm actually thinking if buying a Honda 2hp 4 stroke - what's the problem with it.

 

[Guest]

there are fewer alternatives than you think. look carefully at the mariner, and you will see that it is sold under many other brand names with no more difference than a change of cover and pain colour.
found my mariner to be excellent. my honda 8hp was a pain (kept silting up the waterways with salt cristals (!??) and then overheating) but thatwas 8 years ago and a different engine model. might be ok now.

 

[tonyleigh]

Honda? Air-cooled and forgotten what they call that slipping clutch which means virtual neutral and no oil mixing. Heard people swear by them but not at them. Noisy (air-cooled) and slightly more expensive but very happy with mine. What's this downside?

 

[Guest]

Mercury

1996 bought a mercury 2.2, it has been dunked twice, used hard (sail with a retriever) and all it gets is a thorough winterisation, no problems with it, not sure if you can still get them.

Pete

 

[Guest]

On the subject of 2HP Hondas. Mine does not appear to go into neutral (unlike my dads) when in idle. Any idea why?

 

[davidwf]

Could be the tickover is set too high.

 

[tonyleigh]

Only thought is that revs are too high. Mine is in neutral when throttle set at start position and below and starts to engage anything above start position. A popular engine in my part of the world and not heard of any similar problem. Might be worth a word with an agent - sorry can't help otherwise.

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all those who posted - I had heard that some honda models had problems with the pull start mechanism - but his was some time ago. I assume that the new 2hp 4 stroke is worth a try.

 

[billmacfarlane]

See PBO

This month's PBO has an article on Honda 4 stroke o/b's.

 

[Guest]

Re: See PBO

Thanks Bill - I'm surprised that no-one else noticed ! I think that this confirms my fears about Honda. The article didn't make me want to rush out and buy one.