Lightweight and reliable Outboard engine recommendations

The Tohatsu 3.5hp four stroke is a very nice engine but its 18kg. The Suzuki 2.5 together with the Honda 2.3 probably are the best small engines around at present. I had all three and they are all good reliable outboards. Next time i will need an outboard I will most probably go for electric.
 
Bit of a dilemma then, which (if any) will push my Hunter Europa through an ebbing tide, the Honda 2.3 or the most powerful Torqueedo. I’d hate to purchase either really without knowing the answer otherwise it could be a complete waste of money?
I wish I could find out somewhere?
 
The Honda is pretty common; the shop where I bought mine said they sold a lot of them and had 3 or 4 in stock at the time.

It might be possible to borrow one from a local boat owner. Whereabouts are you based?
 
madabouttheboat said:
If you want 4-stroke, forget about 4hp models. They are too heavy. I would go for a Suzuki 2.5, Yamaha 2.5 or a Mercury/Mariner/Tohatsu 2.5.

The lightest of these is the Suzuki, but there is not much in it. 13-15kg from memory. There isn't really anything lighter.

I think your Mariner is around 20kg for comparison.
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Suzuki cheat a bit on the weight specification. They only give the weight without propellor and without any oil in the engine!

I got the Yamaha 2.5 at a very good price by mail order from :: OutBoards-Direct ::
They are in Brighton.

It has been very reliable, and will start every time on the 3rd pull at the start of a new season having been left abandoned and unloved since it was last used.

One year, it had not been used for almost two years and had petrol in it which was almost 3 years old. I was expecting it to protest, and I nearly fell in when it started 3rd pull.
 
Goody said:
Bit of a dilemma then, which (if any) will push my Hunter Europa through an ebbing tide, the Honda 2.3 or the most powerful Torqueedo. I’d hate to purchase either really without knowing the answer otherwise it could be a complete waste of money?
I wish I could find out somewhere?
Click to expand...
2.3HP will push your boat at a certain speed.
Then you need to get the prop right so your engine delivers 2.3HP at that speed.
Much of the time, we are sat there in the tide with say a 4HP engine which isn't developing 4HP because the prop won't let it rev enough, or the prop doesn't load it enough.
My 2HP Yamaha will push a 20ft boat along at a fair clip, but a bit of wash from another boat will knock it back and choppy water will ruin its day. If it had a finer prop, it would be slower but have more 'punch' to build speed and get through waves.
Fighting the ebb tide with a small motor, the joys of dodging the rocks and groynes in the shallows....
 
westernman said:
Suzuki cheat a bit on the weight specification. They only give the weight without propellor and without any oil in the engine!

I got the Yamaha 2.5 at a very good price by mail order from :: OutBoards-Direct ::
They are in Brighton.

It has been very reliable, and will start every time on the 3rd pull at the start of a new season having been left abandoned and unloved since it was last used.

One year, it had not been used for almost two years and had petrol in it which was almost 3 years old. I was expecting it to protest, and I nearly fell in when it started 3rd pull.
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What vessel does your Yamaha 2.5 power and are you in tidal waters?
 
A selection of props often isn't available for smaller outboards.

I'm prepared to be proved wrong but don't think people should lose much sleep over prop matching outboards. Unlikely to get a perfect match so you can end up spending a ton of time and money getting a higher thrust prop only to find you're now slightly over revving rather than slightly under.

Not sure about that, happy to be proved wrong.

I have a high thrust prop one of my outboards, but not on the other, but haven't tried the latter yet.
 
Mark-1 said:
A selection of props often isn't available for smaller outboards.

I'm prepared to be proved wrong but don't think people should lose much sleep over prop matching outboards. Unlikely to get a perfect match so you can end up spending a ton of time and money getting a higher thrust prop only to find you're now slightly over revving rather than slightly under.

Not sure about that, happy to be proved wrong.

I have a high thrust prop one of my outboards, but not on the other, but haven't tried the latter yet.
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It can make a huge difference on two strokes.
My old mariner was much faster on a 14ft tender I had than a 10ft one, because the hull speed of the longer boat allowed the motor to run at full noise. The little tender would plane fast if you started off on the wash from the water taxi though!
There are various props out there which fit small Yamaha and Yam-mariner outboards.
 
TernVI said:
It can make a huge difference on two strokes.
My old mariner was much faster on a 14ft tender I had than a 10ft one, because the hull speed of the longer boat allowed the motor to run at full noise. The little tender would plane fast if you started off on the wash from the water taxi though!
There are various props out there which fit small Yamaha and Yam-mariner outboards.
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I only found two for my mariner. I haven't found any for my Tohatsu 3.5 2T. Link?
 
Hi
For what it's worth I have a Hunter Europa.
I have a Honda 2.3 which I use on the tender and then transfer to the Europa. This works well ( so far) on flat water.
It will push the boat quite happily, but I haven't used it in any chop as there has been wind for sailing.
I suspect that any chop/wave will kill the speed and the motor won't have the power to cope.
I also have a Yamaha Malta (3hp?) which I think is better suited to the Europa but haven't needed to use it yet. Also they are probably as rare as hens teeth now.
I was tempted to get a 4 stroke 3.5hp( which seems the ideal size of motor for the boat), but reading various threads on here put me off, as well as the weight.
Weight is an issue( both for handling and trim), which is why I opted for the Malta 2 stroke and the Honda 2.3 4 stroke.
I have no experience of electric motors. It is the future, but not if the motor costs more than the boat !
Happy sailing
 
I’ve got a Hurley 18. The first outboard I tried with it was a Mercury 2.5 2 stroke: it drove the boat OK, was as light as a feather but was noisy and needed full throttle to keep the boat moving. Any real chop or wind and speed dropped away quickly.
I now use a Yamaha 4hp 2 stroke: somewhat heavier but much better suited to the job. Normal use it’s at about half throttle, into chop or tide, open it up and it still moves the boat at a sensible rate. Only downside is it’s a little too heavy to make sense for moving from tender to boat and vice versa: but then I haven’t got an outboard bracket for the tender…..
 
I hate my Suzuki 2.5. Horrible engine, very difficult to start unless you are strong and have the correct technique. I must sell it.
Will buy an electric when there is a bit more competition and the price halves.
 
My Suzuki 2.5 has been a fantastic little engine with a proper neutral position on the gearstick. I would sometimes like a reverse as well but have learned to live without that. It sits unused from October through to May every year but will start first pull at the beginning of every season.

Richard
 
Goody said:
Bit of a dilemma then, which (if any) will push my Hunter Europa through an ebbing tide, the Honda 2.3 or the most powerful Torqueedo. I’d hate to purchase either really without knowing the answer otherwise it could be a complete waste of money?
I wish I could find out somewhere?
Click to expand...

Why don't you go for a Honda 2.3? If it doesn't work for you, there's always a good aftermarket for them and you haven't put big money at risk. If you go for the Torqueedo, your money at risk will be much greater (if you don't like it).
Or try Steve66 of this parish who sells refurbished Honda 2.3s.
 
RichardS said:
My Suzuki 2.5 has been a fantastic little engine with a proper neutral position on the gearstick. I would sometimes like a reverse as well but have learned to live without that. It sits unused from October through to May every year but will start first pull at the beginning of every season.

Richard
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That’s good news for me because I’ve ended up buying a Suzuki 2.5hp and am picking it up this Saturday so fingers crossed.
 
andrewbarker said:
Why don't you go for a Honda 2.3? If it doesn't work for you, there's always a good aftermarket for them and you haven't put big money at risk. If you go for the Torqueedo, your money at risk will be much greater (if you don't like it).
Or try Steve66 of this parish who sells refurbished Honda 2.3s.
Click to expand...
Bit too late I’m afraid I’ve just bought a Suzuki 2.5hp ?
 
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