Honda 2.3 enough?

[BobOwen]

I'm thinking of buying a Honda 2.3 for our inflatable (4man) tender. Its only used for shore trips and the odd trip around a bay.

My experienced son in law says that he's found a 2hp outboard has left him short of power on a couple of occasions. He's talking about 3 people aboard against a stiff wind.

He advises a 4hp minimum. I have heard that the 2hp Honda was a little low on power and the 2.3 is a significant improvement. What is the forum opinion please?

(No no no no no ......I don't want a 2 stroke before you start) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[sailorman]

tohatsu 3.3
quiet
loads o power
light
not as econimical as honda

 

[simonfraser]

yes you do ! cheaper, less weight, less to go wrong

 

[fireball]

I had the honda 2hp (4stroke) out in a walkerbay 10 - does 2-4 knots no problem - this is against a small chop - either with wind/against tide or against wind/with tide ... and 3 persons on board ... drop down to 1 on board and it will do 4+ knots ...
the 2.3hp is the same engine - just a bit more efficient ..

the problem might be for round the bay trips is that it doesn't hold that much fuel!!
ok for trips ashore though...

 

[Robin]

We have a Honda 2hp and incredible as it may seem it planed our Tinker 12ft Traveller 2 up (and I'm heavy) in flat water. We no longer have the Tinker but use the Honda on a Zodiac Fastroller 2.85 which it very nearly planes and might succeed with a crew lighter than me, the Tinker had a better underwater shape I believe that trapped air under the floor as opposed to the Zodiac which has a keel tube forming a deep vee bottom.

As far as fuel consumption is concerned, the Honda seems to run forever on a carburettor full let alone a tankful!

 

[BobOwen]

Sounds like what I had hoped for. I can live with the limited fuel - it must be better than its 2 stroke counterpart though as its more efficient. Thats with equivalent tanks which look much the same size on these little outboards.

I didn't want to go down the 2 v 4 stroke debate but seeing as your looking at my pint Simon.......I think the little Honda is a much better choice than any equivalent 2 stroke.

Its the same wieght as a 2.5 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke (Ok 0.2kg heavier)
It is dearer but comes with a 5yr international warranty
It doesn't need mixed fuel
It has more moving parts but a 4 stroke is more reliable than a 2 stroke.
It is air cooled so doesn't have impeller or corrosion problems.
And its a Honda - probably a honda 50 engine variant which is the most prolific and copied engine in the world!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[fireball]

Are you ok with the twist grip throttle and slip clutch? Some don't like it ... personally I don't have a problem with it - it is just nice to have an outboard that starts and runs !!

 

[ditchcrawler]

Concerning the warranty you may find that this is only valid if you have the engine serviced every year by an official Honda agent & you will find this very expensive.This was the case with the last Honda engine I bought.If this has changed I apologise but read the small print just in case.

 

[gandy]

The Honda 2.3 is quite noisy, and the centrifugal clutch means you can't potter along at tickover. Maybe these don't matter on a tender.

Tony S

 

[BobOwen]

Some very good points there.

The twist grip arrangement would be ok, but the centrifugal clutch is sure to be a nuisance when you want to potter along. On the other hand its a bloody nuisance when you want to stop for a minute with a direct drive.

The noise is very valid too - being aircooled it's going to be noiser but for what it'll be used for, it shouldn't be a problem.

The warranty - hmmmm. I didn't think that through - I bet your right on that. 5 years servicing will cost more than the motor! Does it apply to all outboards? (Never bought new before myself)

I'm still inclined to go for one ( After many years experiences with 2 stroke engines in bikes, lawnmowers, outboards etc I have a pathological hatred of the things). My main concern though, is there enough poke for most circumstances?

The consensus so far is yes - any other comments on that?

 

[Joe_Cole]

[ QUOTE ]

My main concern though, is there enough poke for most circumstances?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes.

I bought a 3.3 for my tender, on the basis that, in an emergency, I would have an alternative engine to push our main boat along. It would be a last resort but it could help. Having said that we've never needed to use it like that. With a 3.3 I rarely use it on much more than tickover.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

we use a 2.2 hp Suzuki on an 8' inflatable.

Measured speed is 4+ knots on calm water.

I suggest you don't want too much power on an inflatable tender type dinghy. Dangerous beasts if not handled carefully.

regards

 

[sixpack]

[ QUOTE ]
Its the same wieght as a 2.5 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke (Ok 0.2kg heavier)
It is dearer but comes with a 5yr international warranty <font color="red">(until you try claiming on it!) </font>
It doesn't need mixed fuel
It has more moving parts but a 4 stroke is more reliable than a 2 stroke. <font color="red">(Bull$**t. </font>
It is air cooled so doesn't have impeller or corrosion problems. <font color="red">(It is aircooled so it is noisy and still suffers from corrosion of the leg etc not to mention the electrics and electronic ignition system)</font>
And its a Honda - probably a honda 50 engine variant which is the most prolific and copied engine in the world!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif <font color="red"> </font> 37cc I think and what is so special about Honda? flamin' "jap crap" IMHO

[/ QUOTE ]

I just dumped 2 nos 4hp 4stroke yamahas and went back to Mercury, the 3.3 single shift 2t. No problem with the mercury, has neutral and forward so engine can tick over without driving, solid mesh gears so can putter along on a tick over and best of all the grandchildren can start the mercurys where they could not start the yamahas. Perhaps the real advantage of teh 2t is they can be laid down almost any position whereas the 4t must be laid down in a specific way or else oil runs out aogets into teh bore.

Keep your 4t's - and I'll keep to my 2t's

 

[sixpack]

[ QUOTE ]
Its the same wieght as a 2.5 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke (Ok 0.2kg heavier)
It is dearer but comes with a 5yr international warranty <font color="red">(until you try claiming on it!) </font>
It doesn't need mixed fuel
It has more moving parts but a 4 stroke is more reliable than a 2 stroke. <font color="red">(Bull$**t. </font>
It is air cooled so doesn't have impeller or corrosion problems. <font color="red">(It is aircooled so it is noisy and still suffers from corrosion of the leg etc not to mention the electrics and electronic ignition system)</font>
And its a Honda - probably a honda 50 engine variant which is the most prolific and copied engine in the world!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif <font color="red"> 37cc I think and what is so special about Honda? flamin' "jap crap" IMHO </font>

[/ QUOTE ]

I just dumped 2 nos 4hp 4stroke yamahas and went back to Mercury, the 3.3 single shift 2t. No problem with the mercury, has neutral and forward so engine can tick over without driving, solid mesh gears so can putter along on a tick over and best of all the grandchildren can start the mercurys where they could not start the yamahas. Perhaps the real advantage of the 2t is they can be laid down almost any position whereas the 4t must be laid down in a specific way or else oil runs out and gets into the bore.

Keep your 4t's - and I'll keep to my 2t's

 

[sailorman]

[I just dumped 2 nos 4hp 4stroke yamahas and went back to Mercury, the 3.3 single shift 2t. No problem with the mercury, has neutral and forward so engine can tick over without driving, solid mesh gears so can putter along on a tick over and best of all the grandchildren can start the mercurys where they could not start the yamahas. Perhaps the real advantage of the 2t is they can be laid down almost any position whereas the 4t must be laid down in a specific way or else oil runs out and gets into the bore.

Keep your 4t's - and I'll keep to my 2t's
]


Guess Wot
its a TOHATSU 3.3 in an expensive coat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SteveA]

I think that you should also take into account the strength of any tidal current you may experience.
Where we sail these currents can be as much as 4kts on springs and the size of motor you're considering would have you going backwards!
For these conditions I think 4hp is about right for a normal inflatable tender; and I prefer the 2 strokes (sorry) cos they are lighter and can accept more abuse.

 

[BobOwen]

Sixpack - thanks for your well thought out and constructive opinions. Your blinding insight where you argued the case for 2 strokes has won me over.

I was also impressed to read that although the small Honda engines have been sold more than any other engine ever, the majority of buyers worldwide were wrong. You do present a strong argument.

I presume from your comments that you speak from experience with a 4 stroke? Did you actually buy one then - even though the 2 stroke advantage was so clear? Surely this opinion of yours didn't just switch allegience from 4 to 2 stroke overnight? I guess I must be confused again.

Finally thanks for your great answer regarding the original thread question.

 

[bigmart]

I've got the Honda 2HP & its great. It pushes my tender along as fast as the old Mariner 4.

The air cooling is an excellent benefit. If you ask most experts they will tell you that furring of the cooling system is the death of most small outboards. The Honda is not as noisy as many would have you believe & the lack of need for 2 stroke oil is a real plus.

I Have used my tender, an eight & a half foot Flubber, to put my 26 footer back onto its moorings when the inboard packed up.

I'll be amazed if you regret the purchase.

Martin /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[sailorman]

[I'll be amazed if you regret the purchase.]

i regreted it & bought a Tohatsu 3.3. only down side less economy

 

[bigmart]

For 50% more power I would expect worse economy.

My only question would be :what was so bad about the Honda?

Martin