Its time to replace my ageing Yamaha Malta

[Graham376]

Well there, in one simple image, is the reason to buy a Honda 2.3. I agree its a love-it-or-hate-it item though.

But the thermostat is out of a 9.8 which is 24 years old and has had mainly daily use for 7-8 months/year for the last 12 years. With added valves, guides, tappets, camshaft & drive belt or gears, think how much work and expense 4 strokes will need over their life, which I suspect will be shorter than 2 strokes.

 

[Sgeir]

Claymore, I'd hang on to your two stroke as long as possible.

Our old two stroke was stolen some years ago. The replacement Honda 2.3 four stroke is heavier and noisier than our old Yamaha. It has also had oil leaks that servicing professionals have been unable to resolve.

We'd thought that Honda's reputation for good engineering would apply, but sadly not. Very disappointing. Wish we hadn't bothered.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

And while none of you were looking..... I've just bought another Malta from the For Sale section again! Long shaft this time.

 

[steve66]

Servicing professionals can easily cure oil leaks, but it's too much trouble. I'm getting more and more referrals from main dealers for work they don't want to take on

 

[vyv_cox]

There are dozens of 2-strokes available on Ebay. What really surprises me is that there are new Chinese 3.6 HP ones (and other sizes) for less than £200. How do they get away with it? Are they all seized by customs when they enter UK? Clearly some are not as they are from UK addresses.

 

[DipperToo]

If you are off to the Channel Isles, Mainbrayce in Alderney sell new 2 stroke outboards. Not sure how good the Tohatsu are though...
http://mainbrayce.co.uk/services/#registered-tohatsu-dealer

 

[vyv_cox]

If you are off to the Channel Isles, Mainbrayce in Alderney sell new 2 stroke outboards. Not sure how good the Tohatsu are though...
http://mainbrayce.co.uk/services/#registered-tohatsu-dealer

We bought our Tohatsu there in 2004. Still going strong.

 

[Graham376]

There are dozens of 2-strokes available on Ebay. What really surprises me is that there are new Chinese 3.6 HP ones (and other sizes) for less than £200. How do they get away with it? Are they all seized by customs when they enter UK? Clearly some are not as they are from UK addresses.

Was discussing those with an outboard dealer and he described them as rubbish. Said he and most other reputable dealers won't sell them and just turn people away when they need fixing.

 

[Iain C]

We bought our Tohatsu there in 2004. Still going strong.

I love mine too. Tohatsu 3.5 2T came with my new boat. I agonised whether to keep the Tohatsu or the Suzuki 4T and I am SO glad I kept the Tohatsu. Brilliant, light, simple, and 3.5hp vs. 2.5hp is a very useful extra bit of power too.

 

[Graham376]

If you are off to the Channel Isles, Mainbrayce in Alderney sell new 2 stroke outboards. Not sure how good the Tohatsu are though...

Very good engines, they also manufacture some models for Nissan, Evinrude, Mercury, Mariner and (rumoured?) Yamaha.

 

[Topcat47]

The guy I bought my 3.5 Tohatsu from offered me almost as much as I paid new to trade it in for a 4-stroke; I'd put it in for a repair after dropping it. He said he was buying any he could find, in any condition and had a waiting list. I told him that was why i was OK with paying his exorbitant repair rates for my oldie, rather than swap for a 4-stroke. He said "Very Wise".