Best Small Outboard

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silverdawn

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Hi all, Next season I will be on a swinging mooring and need a reliable outboard, I have in mind a Honda air cooled
2,3Hp 4 stroke, the only reason i have this in mind are two sailing club members own and recommend them,with so many to choose from do you think air cooled models are less maintenance or do they have their own inherent problems, your advise would be most welcome.

Regards Stuart.
 
silverdawn said:
Hi all, Next season I will be on a swinging mooring and need a reliable outboard, I have in mind a Honda air cooled
2,3Hp 4 stroke, the only reason i have this in mind are two sailing club members own and recommend them,with so many to choose from do you think air cooled models are less maintenance or do they have their own inherent problems, your advise would be most welcome.

Regards Stuart.
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Some people dont like the little Hondas. They have difficulty with the automatic clutch others get the hang of it no bother.

They are noisier than most water cooled engines but OTOH they dont suffer from the cooling system problems that small water cooled engines do.

If reliability and minimal maintenance requirements are important and above other considerations a decent Seagull 40+ might suit.
 
I bought a Suzuki DF 2.5 about 5 years ago. It's used on our small inflatable tender. For most of the year the outboard sits on our pushpit railing, exposed to the weather. It's been completely reliable. The very light weight is a boon.I don't know of a better outboard for us.
 
silverdawn said:
Hi all, Next season I will be on a swinging mooring and need a reliable outboard, I have in mind a Honda air cooled 2,3Hp 4 stroke...
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Having been (long-)shafted by Honda over a lawnmower, I would never, ever buy from them again. Carburettor made obsolete, no spares whatsoever available, 13 months after purchase.
 
ah, lots of opinions you will find. I would say, set your criteria first, then choose....

if, most important thing is low weight, the really you have only two to choose from - only Honda and Suzuki are less than 15 kilos

If you want something quiet-ish, then has to be water cooled - so rules out Honda

If you want no hassle with flushing - then only Honda meets the bill....

If you are not bothered about 'new', then two strokes are simpler and easier to maintain....
 
British Seagull anybody?

The 2 HP 4-cycle I've had for a couple of years works fine for me. No problems whatsoever.

How about a 43 year old British Seagull?...


It's mounted on a do-it-yourself stitch and glue W kayak (W boat, for this matter)
 
Thanks for all the replies, Tam Lin hates Suzuki but Coasters loves them,Jumbleduck would never buy Honda again just shows how good this forum is for varied experiences and genuine feedback, as Dartmoor says lots of opinions
but thats exactly what I need. Many thanks.
 
JumbleDuck said:
Having been (long-)shafted by Honda over a lawnmower, I would never, ever buy from them again. Carburettor made obsolete, no spares whatsoever available, 13 months after purchase.
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I find that surprising, having had involvement with Honda Motorcycles, Leisure,Marine and Agricultural products for forty years plus.

You can always find spares, even for fifty year old motorbikes-but you may have to search.

Without knowing the details it is hard to comment but perhaps the problem was with the dealer, not Honda.
 
British Seagull anyone?

I've had a 2 HP 4-cycle Honda outboard for a few years, no problem so far.

How about a 43 year old British Seagull?


It's mounted on a DIY stitich and glue W kayak (W boat, for this matter)
 
oil slick or wake?

knap said:
I've had a 2 HP 4-cycle Honda outboard for a few years, no problem so far.

How about a 43 year old British Seagull?


It's mounted on a DIY stitich and glue W kayak (W boat, for this matter)
Click to expand...

is that an oil slick or a wake behind you

hard to tell

I love my Honda

shoves my 23 footer along at 4.5 knots

always starts, sips petrol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qki9jz8B2tA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv1-HSrYtY8

had seagulls for many years - pleased to see the back of them
 
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I had a Honda 2.3 but was disappointed with the noise and the awkward auto clutch. Additionally the quality was poor with bolts suffering corrosion. I gave it away!

I bought a Suzuki 2.5. Contented sailor.
 
rotrax said:
Without knowing the details it is hard to comment but perhaps the problem was with the dealer, not Honda.
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I don't think so - we did some investigation and there were complaints about it from all over the place. It seems that Honda introduced a lawnmower engine with an automatic choke which was unreliable and tended to need regular replacement. Because this was costing them a fair bit in warranty claims, they simply made that carburettor obsolete and withdrew all spares for it completely, An alternative whole carburettor could be fitted, but at significant expense and requiriing engine modification.
 
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Coaster said:
I bought a Suzuki DF 2.5 about 5 years ago. It's used on our small inflatable tender. For most of the year the outboard sits on our pushpit railing, exposed to the weather. It's been completely reliable. The very light weight is a boon.I don't know of a better outboard for us.
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+ 1
 
I have had a Honda for about four years with no problems, the auto clutch is fine when you get used to it. I notice nearly all the charter company's use Honda engines.
 
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