Lightweight and reliable Outboard engine recommendations

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Goody

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Hi

My 2 stroke 4hp Mariner outboard is over 20 years old and is very heavy to manoeuvre. I’m looking for recommendations for a new lightweight reliable 4 stroke replacement and as a bonus anywhere in or near Kent that does part exchange.
Many thanks
 
Goody said:
Hi

My 2 stroke 4hp Mariner outboard is over 20 years old and is very heavy to manoeuvre. I’m looking for recommendations for a new lightweight reliable 4 stroke replacement and as a bonus anywhere in or near Kent that does part exchange.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
The truly expensive but excellent solution is a Torqueedo - we took the plunge to replace our 5hp 4 stroke 7 years ago now. We still have the 5hp but start it just once or twice a year to keep it going.
 
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.
 
Thanks both.
Would your options be strong enough to power my 19’ keelboat with worst case scenario against the tide and against the wind.
 
I have a Snapdragon 24, a heavy old lump for its size, and a 3.5 pushes it along at around 4 knots in smooth water. Not so good when things get bumpy, and I once had to dodge a sailing dinghy in a top of F6 on the nose and the easiest way to get back on course was to do a 360. However, I'd expect it to do the job on a keelboat that'll take a fair bit less shove to get moving and have less windage
 
Goody said:
Hi

My 2 stroke 4hp Mariner outboard is over 20 years old and is very heavy to manoeuvre. I’m looking for recommendations for a new lightweight reliable 4 stroke replacement and as a bonus anywhere in or near Kent that does part exchange.
Many thanks
Click to expand...

I had this dilemma two months ago. Same engine as yours (5hp version) main bearing gone and wanted a much lighter engine. Decided on a Mariner 3.5 HP 4T Longshaft which wasn't really *that* much lighter and didn't have reverse gear or take external an external fuel tank.

Turned out there was a three month waiting list for that so I've ended up rebuilding and keeping the Mariner and supplamenting it with a 2006 2T 3.5 long shaft Tohatsu which is truly light.

Unfortunately there simply isn't a 4T engine as capable and light as your mariner. That's kind of the USP of 2T engines.

Closest thing I found was the Mariner/Tohatsu 3.5 4T, but it's still heavy and you're sacrificing features, probably best to stick with your existing engine, buy a sack truck and work on your lifting technique. (I'm experimenting with ratchet blocks, and made myself a stand which helps a great deal.)

The good news is your existing mariner is highly desirable, you're going to be pleasantly surprised by its value as it is, and if you can be bothered to break it into parts and sell them on eBay you'll make much more. (Probably more hassle than it's worth. )
 
Goody said:
Hi

My 2 stroke 4hp Mariner outboard is over 20 years old and is very heavy to manoeuvre. I’m looking for recommendations for a new lightweight reliable 4 stroke replacement and as a bonus anywhere in or near Kent that does part exchange.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
I have a Susuki 2.5hp and as long as the fuel is free of water and any particles it is fine. These modern 4 strokes are designed to meet stringent pollution controls. This means the idle fuel jet is extremely fine and easily blocked if you are not very careful with your fuel. Cleaning the jet is not easy but google the "how to clean a susuki outboard carburettor jet" and several amateur videos will show you how. It needs a very slim screwdriver to remove the jet. A dealer will probably not do this as it is more expensive for the labour than a replacement carb.
 
Honda 2.3 as Chae 73 says. I've one that's propelled my Folkboat around Scotland when the inboard was goosed. They've the short & long shaft, and I've added an extra long shaft, which was really easy. Starts every time, simple maintenance and reliable as a very reliable thing.
 
Chae_73 said:
After starting a similar thread in here (although different intended use), I bought a Honda 2.3. In use, it seems as capable of propelling the boat as the 3.5 hp 2 stroke which it replaced. Dry weight is 13kg; it's not bad from a man handling point of view.
Click to expand...
Do you use it on a keelboat or a tender and are you in tidal waters?
 
RupertW said:
The truly expensive but excellent solution is a Torqueedo - we took the plunge to replace our 5hp 4 stroke 7 years ago now. We still have the 5hp but start it just once or twice a year to keep it going.
Click to expand...
Do you use the Torqueedo on a keelboat or a tender and are you in tidal waters?
 
QBhoy said:
As far as I know, there isn’t a 4hp 4 stroke that’s even close to being as light as your 2 stroke 4hp.
Click to expand...

The 4, 5 and 6 hp 4 stroke outboards are all over 20kg in weight.

A Tohatsu 3.5 hp 2 stroke is 12.5kg. These engines are still available to commercial users in the UK, but are not straightforward to get hold of.

The alternatives in 4 stroke, as discussed above, are the Honda 2.3 and the Suzuki 2.5, which are 13kg. These do seem to be very comparable engines in terms of performance and weight, to a 3.5 hp two stroke.

The alternative alternative, as others have said, is an electric such as a Torqueedo. These are rather more expensive but apparently are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to a small combustion engine outboard.

(Edit - I realise that I'm not adding anything new here but thought it would be useful to summarise)
 
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