Difference between outboard makes?

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Austerby

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I need to get a new 6hp 4-stroke outboard.

Looking at the options from the various manufacturers (Yamaha, Mercury/Mariner/Tohatsu, Suzuki, Honda).

I'm finding it very difficult to choose between them - they're all about the same spec and same price and same warranty.

What criteria should I be making an informed decision on?

I would be most interested in the quietest one available - as the engine sits in a cockpit well - but this isn't provided that I can see.

Any guidance?
 
They're all good makes. Solid and reliable. I would go on weight or power to weight ratio, as well as who can do the best deal. Dylan Winter tested a few out a while ago. Look up his website for details and vids.
 
Presumably if it's sitting in a well it's to propel a saily boat thing.

That means you'll need the saildrive version which has a different prop suited to a displacement boat and usually a charging coil too.

IIRC when I was choosing mine the mariner Mercury ones only did a saildrive in a 5hp but tohatsu did it in a 6hp so that's the on I (and Dylan) went for.

However (and mine sits in a well too) it's more clattery than a clattery thing which is good as it encourages you to sail more...

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I am more up to date with two strokes but I think you will find that Tohatsu makes many of them by rebadging theirs. Honda will be the exception.

I have borrowed an ancient and much abused Nissan [Tohatsu] 6hp and it started easily and ran just fine. Noteably much quieter than a 2 stroke.
 
shaunksb said:
Presumably if it's sitting in a well it's to propel a saily boat thing.

That means you'll need the saildrive version which has a different prop suited to a displacement boat and usually a charging coil too.

IIRC when I was choosing mine the mariner Mercury ones only did a saildrive in a 5hp but tohatsu did it in a 6hp so that's the on I (and Dylan) went for.

However (and mine sits in a well too) it's more clattery than a clattery thing which is good as it encourages you to sail more...

_________________________
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Thank you - that is information I didn't know. It is for a saily boat thingy so, having looked into it, the Tohatsu saildrive one looks like the best option. Decision made.
 
Wouldn't have another Suzuki DF6, 2 petrol caps rusted apart in three years and most of the paint fell off the engine just after 2 year warranty ran out. Tohatsu one of the best small engines around.
 
GrahamM376 said:
Wouldn't have another Suzuki DF6, 2 petrol caps rusted apart in three years and most of the paint fell off the engine just after 2 year warranty ran out. Tohatsu one of the best small engines around.
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Agreed. I'm borrowing a DF4 while my outboard gets looked at and its a PITA to use. If you open up the throttle even slightly too quickly it dies. On looking into this on the web it seems that Suzuki put undersize jets in to pass emissions tests. People returning their small Suzuki outboards to dealers with this problem were given a set of slightly larger jets. Unbelievable really.
 
Unfortunately you cannot go on sales mens advice as the make they sell is the best. Asking on here is best and walking around the marina asking people with your size of outboard if any probs etc.

Not your size but I bought my Honda 2.3HP on weight basis but disappointed with rust on a lot of the bolts it is now 12yrs old and still going. Also need to clean out carb every year but I think not running them dry before shutting them down results in all carbs gumming up a bit.
 
Yamaha are usually a notch above the other's mentioned for quality & price! as I believe still make their own engines unlike the Mercury/ mariner/Tohatsu offerings. Honda at the bottom with bits that corrode.
If weight is an issue always go for the 2 stroke, however reliability is equal 2 to 4 stroke IMHO, and depends largely on your treatment and maintenance regime!
All based on my experience of a range of these from 2hp to 15 hp over the last 20 years.
 
seumask said:
Yamaha are usually a notch above the other's mentioned for quality & price! as I believe still make their own engines unlike the Mercury/ mariner/Tohatsu offerings.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't argue with you about Yamaha being good but Tohatsu make their own engines as well as making many of the Mercury, Mariner & Nissan outboards.
 
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