Its time to replace my ageing Yamaha Malta

I had a Honda BF2.3 , hated it. It was replaced under warranty with another, hated it. Replaced it with a Suzuki 2.5, had some issues but it was an improvement but there were carb issues. Finally, I bought a Yamaha 2 stroke from the last year that you could buy them for leisure use in the EU (albeit nearly 10 years old when I bought it). LOVE it! If you like your Malta, there are still some lovely, late examples to be found.
 
claymore said:
Thinking of a Honda 4 stroke.
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Why is it time to be replaced?
The Honda four-stroke is as noisy as a seagull. Standard fasteners need replacing before they either rust solid or away. Be prepared to have problems with blocked jets on a regular basis as the water in fuel will rust your float bowl. Horrible horrible horrible.
Honda make excellent lawn motors.......
 
Go and talk to your local Yamaha Agent. I can't imagine what might go so badly wrong with one of these simple, reliable little brutes that would necessitate it's replacement by a noisy, heavy (relatively), complicated 4-stroke.
 
I was reading a marina publicity rag this morning and it had an advert for a newly released Selva outboard. Said to be the lightest on the market - 13.5kg, I think. I can't remember the name, maybe "shrimp", "tiddler" or summat like that.
Maybe a bit on these lines:

http://www.selvamarine.co.uk/product.php?line=mot_4t&prod=seahorse-2_5

Note you can store that on any side you choose. Anyway, I know nothing about them except Selva have not always had the best reputation.
Just pointing this out, s'all. I would stick with the Yamaha or source a Tohatsu 3.5 on your holidays.
 
You’ve got to keep it. Surely one of the best small engines ever made.
Really sought after. Have you seen the price they go for in good nick?
I managed to get my hands on one last year...to add to the collection, haha. Be worth a fortune soon..along with my 2 Yamaha 8hp late model 2 strikes and an amazing wee Suzuki 2.2. The latter only weighing about 10kgs.
 
I have a 1987ish Mariner 2hp and a 1990's Mariner 5hp, both lovely light 2-strokes and both brilliant engines, they should keep going forever if properly maintained.

The 2hp is for the tender and has been immersed inverted 3 times, all that was required was big end shells.

Both suffer salt buildup in the cooling galleries though, so as well as an oily fresh water flush at winter layup I usually take the heads off to properly get rid of the salt, an easy job.

I don't plan on getting a ' what joker nailed this to the floor ' super-heavy 4 stroke anytime soon.
 
Seajet said:
Both suffer salt buildup in the cooling galleries though, so as well as an oily fresh water flush at winter layup I usually take the heads off to properly get rid of the salt, an easy job.
Click to expand...

An easy job if one of the 24 year old head bolts doesn't shear! I've got my old Tohatsu in bits at the moment, investigating overheat. Turns out the passages were pretty clear but the thermostat was blocked with weed, not salt.

P1010088a.jpg
 
When was at school I worked weekends at a place which rented boats for fishing, he had a load of Malta’s that were absolutely hanging from years of abuse and regulars being dropped overboard by idiots, he eventually “upgraded” to 4s 2.5 Hondas that couldn’t deal with the abuse, I got the Malta’s and they kept me going for years, excellent things
 
Aircooled Honda 2.3 is a noisy s/b. Have a trial run with one and decide if you can put up with the noise.

Small 4 stroke outboards are not as easy to work on as 2 strokes. This matters in places like the Eastern Caribbean where Tohatsu and Yamaha 2 strokes rule so the techs are not familiar with 4 strokes.

If I was in the market for a small OB I would buy a Tohatsu 3.3 2 stroke. [ Also sold as Nissan Mercury etc same engine different badge ] If you run it on fuel containing ethanol and leave fuel in the carb learn how to clean the carb. Simple job and can be done with one screwdriver. I see battered old Tohatsus that are over 10 years old in daily use. They are the Energizer Bunny of the small OB market.
 
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Thank you all
The Malta gets a service at the beginning and end of each season but isn't as reliable as I remember - I was thinking to swap for a 4 stroke but you seem to be persuading me not to
Ah well - perhaps we'll have a wee reprieve for another year!
 
claymore said:
Thank you all
The Malta gets a service at the beginning and end of each season but isn't as reliable as I remember - I was thinking to swap for a 4 stroke but you seem to be persuading me not to
Ah well - perhaps we'll have a wee reprieve for another year!
Click to expand...

I sold our Malta and bought a Suzuki DF6, same weight as the 4 & 5 HP models. biggest mistake I have ever made with an outboard.
 
I have a 1980 air cooled Yamaha 3.5hp. Apart from the noise (think Honda 2.3..) it starts every time on the second pull and gives very little trouble, as long as I remember to clean out the carb and filter at least every two years..
No impellor or salted up cooling passages, which does a lot for long life.
The leg is cooled by a bit of tube facing the prop wash that sends a bit of water up the leg in a tube to mix with the exhaust gas.
I put up with the noise, as it is a 'get me home when the wind quits' so fine.
 
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