Best 3 - 4 hp outboards that are light and easy?

[Nick2]

Looking to replace our Mercury 4hp outboard as really want a lighter unit thats more up to date with features such as kill cord etc. Like the idea of Tohatsu 3.5 but wonder whether lack of reverse gear would be a problem for children to learn with?

How does this compare to the Merc/Mariner 3.3 or are there others I should be considering?

Thanks

Nick

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[Col]

The mighty "4" will live again!! So no hurry.

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[Nick2]

I knew that you would easily cure the "Mighty 4" and I am sure that its pedegree will assist when I eventually sell it on.

I am hoping that it will be rather like those cars which have had celebrity owners and attract a premium price....

The 4 is excellent and its almost heresy to think of parting but its just a bit heavy on the controls for the girls to learn on.

Nick

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've had a couple of Yamaha 4hp four stroke o/b engines which have performed faultlessly. Cant be doing with all that oil mixing rubbish apart from the mess it creates on the floor of the dinghy

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[Talbot]

I have the tohatsu 3.5. The lack of a reverse gear is not a problem, cause you just spin the engine around to go backwards. Handle flips over to provide control. The most important gear is the neutral (15 years with an old 2hp that did not have a neutral proves to me that this is far more of a problem than no reverse gear)

The 3.5 has very nearly the same amount of grunt as the old 4 hp, but weighs significantly less. even my SWMBO is happy to heft it, and this makes it a lot easier for the children. IMHO this is a great engine that is selling at a good price (especially at the boat shows!)

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[ArthurWood]

I have a 3.3 and agree w/points Talbot makes re reverse and neutral. 3.3 is light and easy to handle, but you do have to use a mixture!

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[MART1N]

I have a Tohatsu 3.5 and agree with comments here about lack of reverse not being a problem.

However, I have found that turning can be a problem for children. The "arm" is quite thin and actually bends a little before it moves the engine. After which the initial movement can snap a bit (possible ending in a much sharper turn than expected). This is no problem to me, but like a say it could deter or prevent younger/weaker crew members!

This may be the case with all engines this size Mine is about 2 years old, so it may have upgraded now...

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[duncan]

The lighter weight/smaller cowl of the 3.5's really does make a difference over even the 4's for handling and stowage.
I have had a 2hp Yam / 4 HP Merc 4 stroke and 4 HP Merc 2 stroke over the last 12 months on the same boat /tender. I have also used a Merc 3.5 on one occasion.
Comments -
Baby Yam a delight to stow/handle but it didn't really have any grunt. Against a tidal flow it struggled but got there in the end.
4hp 4 stroke - pain to stow , heavy to handle, especially getting on the transom of the tender. Harder for youngsters to start as it takes more of a physical pull than the 2 strokes. Runs beautifully in the mid range - use of non mix was relevant when I had a petrol boat (this engine got carried over from previous petrol boat) but anything on the boat now is mix. Also enough to get me and tender up on plane or drive loaded tender against tide.
4hp 2 stroke - current engine (aquired quickly from forumite when others nicked). light enough to handle OK, full controls etc. Same power charateristics as the 4 above but not as smooth at 1/3 throttle (common setting). Easy to start and manoevre but kids do take a bit of time to get used to twist grip throttle.......
3.5's - can just get me up on the plane, easy to stow and handle and the kids seem to like the throttle slide on the engine rather than the twist grip. Easy to start and use.
Conclusion - I find I use the oars more with the 4 than with the smaller easier to handle engines, but certainly use it more than the 4 stroke which was just too heavy if any waves etc. Ideally I would have 5hp from the 3.5 package if it was available but as that's not available it's 3.5 or 5hp (2 stroke) which is the same size as the 4.
Test rig - Quicksilver 310 (now 300) airdeck/inf keel - 100kg load; various kids between 7-14.


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