Looking to purchase a 2.3-3.5 hp outboard

[PabloPicasso]

Where can I source these self-restrained children capable of an hour at half throttle? The kids inflicted on me are the living answer to the question: "What would Bo and Luke Duke look like with 3.5hp at their finger tips".

On Saturday my son and I took the dinghy to our nearest YC for a Hot choc with our Tohatsu 3.5hp 2T. 1NM distance. I'd taken a half a litre which I thought would be plenty, as an afterthought I took a spare litre, just in case. My son burned through the lot. Flat out the whole way. Donuts. Figure of 8s. 34m45s going, 49m58s coming back.

Sounds like he fun.

 

[Mark-1]

Sounds like he fun.

It was.... ....although, if I'm honest, 3.5hp donuts are a bit "decaf" IYSWIM.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Any feedback on Esso Synergy Supreme+99 Unleaded .

Meant to have a good additive package including a rust inhibitor.

 

[Mark-1]

Any feedback on Esso Synergy Supreme+99 Unleaded .

Meant to have a good additive package including a rust inhibitor.

Dunno, but up until Sept '23 if you lived in the South it was 0% Ethanol, despite the 5% label.

 

[Refueler]

Any feedback on Esso Synergy Supreme+99 Unleaded .

Meant to have a good additive package including a rust inhibitor.

Given that most O/bd are spec'd at 95 octane ... why would you want 99 ?

Todays Gasolines are total blends .... there is actually only one true gasoline (road) on the market now and that is Russian A76 .... but a) that is no longer available due to santions, b) todays engines would not appreciate having it !!

Many brands of 95 - most come from same source - are E10 based ..... with many 97's E5 based ... the Pump stand should tell you.

Synergy 99 unless specifically required by local requirements is usually an E5 based Gasoline as with 97.

ALL branded high street gasolines contain 'detergents' ... 'anti-corrosion' .... wear reduction ... additives.

 

[Refueler]

Dunno, but up until Sept '23 if you lived in the South is was 0% Ethanol, despite the 5% label.

Some areas stipulated retail less than 5% ...

Note that less than 5% is regarded as ZERO .... so the factual amount in that fuel could in theory be 4.9% ....

 

[snowbird30ds]

Last Aspen I bought was about £20 for 5 litres, pricey but for the odd carb full not an issue, 5 year shelf life too.
I like to give motorbikes a glug if they are going to sit around over winter.

 

[Mark-1]

Some areas stipulated retail less than 5% ...

I've seen E5 measured as about 3%, 'cos obvs 5% is a maximum.

Note that less than 5% is regarded as ZERO .... so the factual amount in that fuel could in theory be 4.9% ....

At the time I remember you agreeing Esso Synergy 99 E5 was Ethanol free and pointing out that other Brands would be too, even if they didn't claim it on their web sites. Also it would be very odd to boast on their web site that there was likely no ethanol in your fuel when there was. So I'm pretty sure it had no ethanol. (Or rather "likely" had no ethanol - they didn't guarantee it, just stated the areas where most likely it would be.)

 

[Refueler]

I've seen E5 measured as about 3%, 'cos obvs 5% is a maximum.



At the time I remember you agreeing Esso Synergy 99 E5 was Ethanol free and pointing out that other Brands would be too, even if they didn't claim it on their web sites. Also it would be very odd to boast on their web site that there was likely no ethanol in your fuel when there was. So I'm pretty sure it had no ethanol. (Or rather "likely" had no ethanol - they didn't guarantee it, just stated the areas where most likely it would be.)

??

How would you see Ethanol measured as 3% ? Spent time in a lab ? Anyway for a number of years now - 3% would not be declared except on a lab sheet ...

If the fuel said E5 ... then please can you show me where I would say that is 'ethanol free'. The E5 specifically means up to 5% Ethanol.... E10 means up to 10% etc.

 

[Mark-1]

If the fuel said E5 ... then please can you show me where I would say that is 'ethanol free'.

Here, post 14:

Post in thread 'Aspen Fuel - Small Outboard'

22 Aug 2023

For as long as I can remember Esso Synergy Supreme 99 has been *zero* ethanol in most Southern Garages which has been great:

Synergy Fuels | Esso

Unfortunately that ends in Sept '23, so not so great. At least your last five litres can probably be zero ethanol.

Esso made hay on this one ... while in fact most petrol of 97 and up was Ethanol free till very recent.

• Refueler

 

[Refueler]

You can measure it in your garden, you don't need a lab.



Here, post 14:

Post in thread 'Aspen Fuel - Small Outboard'

22 Aug 2023

For as long as I can remember Esso Synergy Supreme 99 has been *zero* ethanol in most Southern Garages which has been great:

Synergy Fuels | Esso

Unfortunately that ends in Sept '23, so not so great. At least your last five litres can probably be zero ethanol.

Esso made hay on this one ... while in fact most petrol of 97 and up was Ethanol free till very recent.

• Refueler

Ha ha !! 2023 !!!! ..... things change over time !!

In the early 20's - there were various brands that were Ethanol Free .... or unstated due to being well below the 5% declaration level. 97 and up was generally Ethanol Free - BUT NOT ALL
Since that time ... E5 has become the normal level .....

So sorry Mark ... 2023 was then ... now is 2026.

EDIT : Nearly forgot .. please don't start on the DIY water addition rubbish to determine Ethanol volume ... it is highly innacurate and only for very rough field use ... it has no standing for real world accuracy ... If you seriously think you can determine an E5 fuel to be really E3 with it ... sorry you are wrong. And I don't care how many so-called experts online say otherwise ... having owned / created / run Petrochemical labs for many years - I stand on fact.

 

[Mark-1]

Ha ha !! 2023 !!!! ..... things change over time !!

In the early 20's - there were various brands that were Ethanol Free .... or unstated due to being well below the 5% declaration level. 97 and up was generally Ethanol Free - BUT NOT ALL
Since that time ... E5 has become the normal level .....

So sorry Mark ... 2023 was then ... now is 2026.

We were talking about 2023 not 2026, you even bolded the words at the time when you quoted them:

Post in thread 'Looking to purchase a 2.3-3.5 hp outboard'

20 Jan 2026

Dunno, but up until Sept '23 if you lived in the South is was 0% Ethanol, despite the 5% label.

Some areas stipulated retail less than 5% ...

Note that less than 5% is regarded as ZERO .... so the factual amount in that fuel could in theory be 4.9% ....

• Refueler

Post in thread 'Looking to purchase a 2.3-3.5 hp outboard'

20 Jan 2026

Some areas stipulated retail less than 5% ...

I've seen E5 measured as about 3%, 'cos obvs 5% is a maximum.

Note that less than 5% is regarded as ZERO .... so the factual amount in that fuel could in theory be 4.9% ....

At the time I remember you agreeing Esso Synergy 99 E5 was Ethanol free and pointing out that other Brands would be too, even if they didn't claim it on their web sites. Also it would be very odd to boast on their web site that there was likely no ethanol in your fuel when there was. So I'm pretty sure it had no ethanol. (Or rather "likely" had no ethanol...

• Mark-1

 

[Refueler]

Apologies ... I dd not notice the '23 bit in the post - I just assumed it was present day.

Still doesn't change the facts though.

Oh and it might improve understanding your replies if - you only repeat the relevant bits instead of the Pot Pourri of text ??

 

[Mark-1]

Apologies ... I dd not notice the '23 bit in the post - I just assumed it was present day.

Yeah, that'll be it.

 

[Refueler]

I've said it before and I will say it again ...

Decent husbandry of your engines and there is absolutely no need for these 'special' fuels that people get convinced into buying ..

Fine if you only use small amounts over long periods ... but if you are a reasonable consumption user ... then its Pump Grade gasoline and good husbandry.

I run o/bds from 2HP to 20HP .... plus the 170HP 6 cylinder ..... all are run on the same pump grade 95 I get from local station.

I have 3 lawn tractors .... 12.5 up to 18HP ..... powered strimmers .... chainsaws ..... all running on same 95 pump grade gasoline ...

 

[Sailing steve]

My son burned through the lot. Flat out the whole way.

My son and his buddies did that too whenever the opportunity arose.

Never had a outboard running smoother and starting easier than after they'd been onboard for a weekend...

 

[Beneteau381]

Late night outboard shopping Denngeor?!

I've had Honda, Yamaha and 2 x Suzukis. There's no best one in my opinion, although some YBW members are evangelical about their choices of marine equipment.

Honda, air cooled so doesn't need flushing but too noisy for my taste. Don't like the lack of gear selection, start it with a bit of throttle and you're moving.

Yamaha, better quality but heaviest, water cooled and has gear selector for forwards. Ironically i had this serviced at a dealer to maintain the warranty but they overfilled it with oil so much i thought it was going to catch fire in the middle of the river.

Suzuki, lightest, water cooled, gear selector for forwards, lightness is reflected in quality.

The first one went pop under warranty, dealer Gillingham Marina were awful in regards to honouring warranty. New one bought last year works fine.

Personally I'd only run whatever you buy on lawnmower fuel, the Aspen long life stuff. Pretty much all the aggro outboards give is from stale petrol.

Use Shell Super stuff, less bio in it

 

[Refueler]

Use Shell Super stuff, less bio in it

All the brands have tended to carry reduced Ethanol % in their 'Premium / Super' grades - but that is their decision and not due to regulatory reqt's. Over the years - the regulatory stages of Bio Fuel % have had to be 'relaxed' - due to failure of Bio Fuel volume production ... as well as pressure from Agricultural markets where basic staple foods have suffered with land turned over to Oil Seed production.

Various brands are changing now though ... most still carrying the E5 ratio .. but do not be surprised to see odd ones change to E10 ....