Choosing an Outbord

[Stemar]

SWMBO decreed that we should buy a ragtop, so we're now the proud owners of a Snapdragon 24 on a swinging mooring in Portsmouth Harbour. Here's the first of what will doubtless be many questions:

With the boat came an aging but reasonably sound Avon Redcrest with O/B mount but no O/B. With a couple of miles to get to dry land at low tide, I don't fancy rowing, especially if there's a bit of a breeze, so we need an outboard.

Research has left me bewildered, so your collective wisdom is needed!

1. What power? it seems that 2hp would probably be enough most of the time, but would the extra umph of a 3.5 be useful ?

2. 2 or 4 stroke? 2s cheaper, lighter, noisier smellier, easier to transport. 4s more reliable, economical, risk of oil all over the car boot/damage due to oil getting in the wrong place if laid down wrongly?

3. Any particular makes/dealers to avoid or recommended?

4. New of second hand? New would be a struggle right now, but posssible. Are there any good sources of second hand motors around?

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[snowleopard]

the soft avons with clip-on bracket (i guess that's what yours is though i'm not familiar with model names) can't handle more than 2.5hp. i have the 10ft version with a 3.3 motor and daren't use above half throttle or the dinghy folds in half!

fuel consumption isn't really going to be a big issue on a baby motor. a 2-stroke is generally lighter than the 4 so if you've any distance to carry it when ashore that's important. honda 4 strokes are air cooled so there's a potential reliability factor but all modern outboards are pretty good these days.

i personally have a mariner but would have got the tohatsu had i known at the time it was the same engine with a cheaper badge.

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[burgundyben]

try the outboard centre in Fareham next to the castle in the air pub, I bort a 3.5 tohatsu, its same size and weight as 2 hp so I felt something for nothing, its nice and light for carting about, is 2 stroke and has not leeked anything in back of car yet....

<hr width=100% size=1>Wanted - Austin Healey 110/6 or 3000 to rebuild, LHD considered.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Like the other posts, I agree that too much power can be embarrasing. I have a Force 3 outboard which is basically the Tohatsu 2.5 and is often referred to as "gusting 4". On anything above half throttle. it tries to shove its way under the Avon taking the stern seat and passenger with it!

I have learned to make sure the dinghy is up to recommended pressure using an indicator built into the pump. This pressure is a lot higher than I used to pump up to and can only be reached with the dual outlet pump that Avon supply these days. Using the old pump, the maximum pressure must have been a good 2psig less. I now worry about the effects of the hot sun occasionally (VERY occasionally the last two years!)

<hr width=100% size=1>Ken Johnson

 

[summerwind]

I DEFINITELY reccomend a 4 stroke. After years of cussing that the bloody 2 stroke wouldn't start ( Even had a brand new one that let me down.) Fiddling with petrol-oil mixture. Burning more plugs than petrol. Wearing out starter cords etc I finally got a 4 stroke. Different world! Bit heavier - but reliable. Starts in a storm, pulls well and no fiddling with petrol-oil etc etc etc

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[Ivy]

I had a Red Crest with a Seagull 2 horse, that used to drag the transom down quite a bit. now I have a Mercury 2.2 great engine and lightweight, same as Tohatsu 2.2 and Mariner 2.2. Same problem with draging the transom under so keep it light as possible and don't over rev it. Better still get a rigid dinghy and keep the inflatable on board for when you are at anchor and need to get ashore.
I was ship wrecked in my Red Crest in Poole harbour in a force 7 and ended up on a sea wall. now I have a 12 foot rigid and it's no problem in a force 8 and I can use full throttle.

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[yoda]

Have to agree about the hard dinghy. In the long term it makes great sense, doesn't need to cost much and to be honest the older and tattier it looks the less likely it is to be stolen. I think my only recommendation over the outboard would be to get one as light as possible but with some form of gear / clutch, makes life a lot nicer.

Yoda

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I bought a second hand mercury 2.2 to push my dinghy. It was initially to push a four man nawhall inflatable, but I have just bought a rather tatty 8ft glass dinghy and it pushes it just fine. In fact when we are loaded up with gear anything over half throttle is dangerous. So I would suggest 2 to 3 hp is fine for you too.

As I still carry the inflatable on board, I need to lift the outboard from the hard dinghy to the boat, so wieght is an issue. Also reliability, keep your plug newish and you should not have great problems, yes some days balancing the choke and throttle can be difficult. Drop a four stroke and a 2 stroke in the oggin and see which one starts first.

I had the choice of three 2.2 mercs when I bought mine, all recon, but I chose the tattiest one with stickers torn and a gash in the plastic cover. When I leave my tatty bought from auction and holes fiberglassed over dinghy with my motor next to a pristine inflatable with a sexy honda 4stroke strapped to it, hmmmm, I hope I will be the one able to return to my boat.

That's life unfortunately.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

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[kellers]

Faced with a similar problem, I decided to go up a size - to a 3.5 Tohatsu - mainly because I hoped it would serve in an emergency should I loose my inboard on my Snappy 27.

Something else to throw into the equation?

Kellers

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[Dave99]

We've just purchased a honda 4 stroke 2hp engine for our avon redstart. Have been very impressed. We couldn't find a new 2hp with F N R gears however the honda has some clever clutch which put it in neutral when you throttle down. Its not much heavier than a 2 stoke and is air cooled, so you don't have to worry about flushing it through with fresh water. The engine wasn't as quiet as I expected though.

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