Best 2.5hp out board?

I've got one of the much less powerful electric jobs, Flover, and although power is awful the great thing is the lack of noise. Great for pottering about. I'm definitely thinking of upgrading to the Torqueedo. They normally have one at the boat show in a tank so you can see how quiet they are. It's lovely being able to hear your partner who is 2 metres away and have a normal conversation! (Most of the time;-))
 
There is a noticeable difference between the brands on these smaller engines. Also be aware that not all manufacturers weigh their engines in the same way. Yamaha do weigh their engines wet and with a prop fitted, I don't believe other manufacturers do.

The Honda 2.3 is very light, but it's air cooled and has no neutral (it has a centrifugal gearbox). It is very noisy. The Suzuki is watercooled, but it is a pretty basic engine in terms of it's build. The Yamaha will be the heaviest (on paper) but will be more substantial. Have a look at the tiller handle, gear lever, grip controls, handles etc.

Where the Yamaha really excels is in it's alloys and paints. They have a far superior alloy, and they use 5 layers of paints to prevent bubbling and corrosion. Seriously, have a look when you're next down at the marinas, you'll notice a big difference in the finish on those black legs compared to the grey ones!
 
Tam Lin said:
Please don't buy one. I made that mistake, it has never been reliable. When I asked my marine engineer his advice he said,
"Put it on eBay and get a two stroke." You have been warned!
Click to expand...

What was wrong with it?

I will buy a four stroke of some kind so will do more research.
 
The main issues with 2.5 Suzuki four strokes are a weak clutch. Very prone to stripping the clutch dog. If your lucky you will get away with a new dog but often its a complete dog and pinion. Your talking of £100s . I stopped selling them as literally everyone I sold came back with a knackered clutch.
 
aquapower said:
What was wrong with it?

I will buy a four stroke of some kind so will do more research.
Click to expand...
U

Sorry for the late reply. When I first got it I would start it, put in gear, open the throttle and it would die. The manual says to run it for five minutes to warm it up before going anywhere. Not much good if you are on a lee shore and trying to get out to your mooring!
I have been told that they run lean to meet the emissions targets and this causes the problem. There is a video on YouTube showing how you can tune them by removing the lead plugs. It has been looked at professionally but is still not reliable. It had a service recently then the next time I used it, it just cut out halfway to the mooring. I got so fed up with it I just bought myself a two stroke Mariner from ebay. My mechanic says it is the only outboard that he will not put his sticker on!
 
Tam Lin said:
U

Sorry for the late reply. When I first got it I would start it, put in gear, open the throttle and it would die. The manual says to run it for five minutes to warm it up before going anywhere. Not much good if you are on a lee shore and trying to get out to your mooring!
I have been told that they run lean to meet the emissions targets and this causes the problem. There is a video on YouTube showing how you can tune them by removing the lead plugs. It has been looked at professionally but is still not reliable. It had a service recently then the next time I used it, it just cut out halfway to the mooring. I got so fed up with it I just bought myself a two stroke Mariner from ebay. My mechanic says it is the only outboard that he will not put his sticker on!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update, I have just seen Yamaha are advertising a new 2.5 that weighs 13kg so think I will be going for that, its about £100 more than the Suzuki but I don't want to be buying trouble.
 
Really?? Not meaning to sound like I don't believe you but have you a link to it? I know they have been working alongside Selva. I hope to god they haven't rebadged the Selva 2.5!!
aquapower said:
Thanks for the update, I have just seen Yamaha are advertising a new 2.5 that weighs 13kg so think I will be going for that, its about £100 more than the Suzuki but I don't want to be buying trouble.
Click to expand...
 
Interesting comments here and proof of how opinions can vary.
About 5yrs ago I replaced a Johnson 4 2str with a Honda 2.3. It has been perfectly reliable and the lightest/joint lightest small engine that is available. The centrifugal clutch takes some getting used to at first. The exhaust note is harsh at all throttle settings though at full setting is no louder than my other small engine and no, it's not a Seagull!!
Three years ago , in exasperation , I got rid of a Mariner 3.5 4str which had never lasted more than 1hr before breaking down. Local dealer unable to cure it.!!
I replaced it with a Suzuki 2.5 which was advertised as being the lightest 4str on the market. In fact it is about 0.5kg heavier than the Honda - hardly noticeable though.
So far the Suzi has been perfectly reliable. Exhaust note is "softer" than Honda though just as loud at full throttle. Only downside is the occasional kick back from the starting cord.
My preference would be buy the Suzuki and avoid at all cost the Mariner/Mercury/Tohatsu 2.5/3.5. Latter are noticeably heavier anyway.
 
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