Dinghy Outboard qestion

[cliffb]

Hi all...
I've an Avon Typoon 2.6 mt rountail inflatable...and no outboard.
According to the info on it the max size of engine is 4hp. So I'm thinking of either a 2.5 or a 3.5 hp. I don't want one that's over heavy for lifting onto pushpit, or for fuel consumption... but I also don't want one that's going to strain moving 4 persons about at a decent speed. So has anyone got any recomendations please?
Thanks as always.

 

[pappaecho]

I have the same inflatable. I have a 2.5 hp Suzuki outboard which pushes it very well on fast tickover, and will make it plane on 3/4 throttle. However it uses 5 times as much fuel, and only gets there marginally faster. Once the outboard has got the dinghy going, it does not seem to matter whether there as 1 or 4 in the boat

 

[aluijten]

This might be a tricky one...

For fuel economy go for 4-stroke
For weight/power ratio go for 2-stroke
For non-smelly engine and no messing with mixing oil and petrol go for 4-stroke
For cheap engine go for 2-stroke.

I've got a 2.5 Yamaha 4-stroke 17 kg

Take you pick

Arno

 

[ex-Gladys]

With a roundtail, you may find the engine can "tuck up" the stern a bit if slightly underinflated, but then you do have control in your own hands, don't give it full chat!!

 

[Stemar]

If the wind gets up I suspect you'd appreciate an extra horse. I have a Tohatsu 3.5, which you can pick up for around £350. It weighs around 13kg, which is a big plus!

A lot of similar engines in the 2-3 1/2Hp (including, AFAIK, Mariner, Johnson) are more expensive badge engineered versions of the same thing. There's nothing spectacular about it - it just does what it says on the box, and seems to be pretty economical if you don't thrash it.

 

[Andy_H]

I've got a Tohatsu 3.5 and have found it to be excellent. It's basically the same engine as the 2.5, but with a neutral/forward gear that means you can start it in neutral rather than shooting straight off with it starting in gear. As far as I'm concerned that's well worth the extra money.

 

[sailorman]

Re: Dinghy Outboard question

[ QUOTE ]
If the wind gets up I suspect you'd appreciate an extra horse. I have a Tohatsu 3.5, which you can pick up for around £350. It weighs around kg, which is a big plus!

A lot of similar engines in the 2-3 1/2Hp (including, AFAIK, Mariner, Johnson) are more expensive badge engineered versions of the same thing. There's nothing spectacular about it - it just does what it says on the box, and seems to be pretty economical if you don't thrash it.

[/ QUOTE ].



agree with both the last comments
got mine from
bill higham marine
were the best price
delivered next day 4 25 squids carriage

 

[cliffb]

Re: Dinghy Outboard question

Cracking forum, this....
So good to hear of peoples first hand experiences.
Thanks to all. I can feel a Tohatsu coming on!!
Cheers..

 

[Rich_F]

Re: Dinghy Outboard question

There's a good article in Sailing Today this month about selecting a small outboard. They make some useful points about deciding between 2 and 4 stroke.

In summary
- 4 stroke more economical
- 4 stroke should be quieter, but not necessarily so if air-cooled
- 4 stroke has less messing about with fuel/oil
- 2 stroke cheaper
- 2 stroke less moving parts - should be more reliable
- 2 stroke lighter
- 2 stroke doesn't leak oil if you lay it down

And finally, adding an extra HP doesn't seem to make a huge difference in speed when pushing a (non-planing) inflatable.

 

[Stemar]

Re: Dinghy Outboard question

[ QUOTE ]
adding an extra HP doesn't seem to make a huge difference in speed when pushing a (non-planing) inflatable.

[/ QUOTE ]I think you're right on this - my Tohatsu won't quite get my slatted floor inflatable properly on the plane. However, it does mean you've got something in reserve when you're heavily loaded and the wind gets up.

The experts will correct me on this if I'm wrong, but I suspect that running at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle on a more powerful engine means it will last longer than running at 1/2 to full throttle on a less powerful one.

 

[Guest]

The 2 to 4HP range whatever manufacturer are pretty similar except for one ! The little Johnson, white job .... it gets swamped and cuts out easy ... that was seen, and also a dealer quite openly admitted it !!

There are plenty of o'bds second-hand for sale as people change for later models / get 4-strokes etc. Pick one up - give it to sewrvice agent for check over and service ........ like mine - years of service. I have a Johnson 4.5 Seahorse .... heavy but good, but my favourite for dinghy (Avon with bracket) is the Mariner 2.5 ..... cost me £120 and still going strong after 6 yrs.
It was second-hand when I bought it .... estimated late 70's early 80's job.