new outboards - supply issues?

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jaziniho

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I'm replacing the outboard on my 23ft bilge keeled boat. It's currently got an 8 HP longshaft - it's over 20years old, and reached the point where a couple of reliability issues whilst out have left me feeling I want to replace and not feel so jittery about it!

I put an order and deposit down with a dealer for a 10 HP longshaft, on the basis that it's the same block/weight as the 8HP, and for not that much extra on the price gives a bit more power.

However, after some back and forth with the dealer (all polite and helpful!) over quite some weeks, it seems the manufacturer has finally admitted they don't have any 10HP in the UK, there's delays in production due to COVID, and with the problems with global shipping and Brexit, they're not expecting to get them into the UK until mid-Summer.

The manufacturer has offered a 15HP as available in stock in the UK - i've asked if there will be any discount against the 15HP given they can't supply the 10 HP, and the weeks of waiting for them to admit the issue, I'm pending response on that.

Now... a 15 HP would be completely overkill for this type of boat, no?
I'm not sure there's much benefit vs the 10HP, but the question is if the price is reasonably agreeable, are there any negatives I should think of?

Weights:

8 HP: 48 KG
10 HP: 48 KG
15 HP: 51 KG (different block with bigger displacement)

There's only 3 KG difference in weight, less than 10%, so that doesn't seem like a major factor.

Would there be higher fuel consumption? Or would you probably end up running at lower revs, so that even itself out somewhat?

Anecdotally, has anyone else heard of supply/stock issues with outboards recently?
 
Personally, I wouldn't give up on the existing outboard . In sailing and use terms, 20years is only last week.

Outboards are pretty simple things considering the way other technology has moved on, which in one respect , is great for sailors. 48 KG is seriously heavy.

6HP 4T at 26kg should be plenty if buying new and you're back will love it.
 
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I would seriosly look at outboards in the 4,5 6HP range and ask awkward questions about props.
You want your outboard to rev enough to make its full power at vaguely 'hull speed'.
So an outboard with prop intended for a planing dinghy won't be ideal.

All sorts of things are having supply issues right now.

A new outboard is an attractive idea, because you can spend a lot on one which has become unreliable.
Different if you DIY everything.
 
25 years ago we had a 15HP on a GK24. It came with the boat, it worked.... The best part was that it was reliable but as you say - was very heavy.
One day the outboard was stolen whilst on it's mooring. Baffling how anyone can transfer something that heavy over water..

Anyway - A kind gentleman in the sailing club had an 8hp going spare so we bought that. I don't recall seeing much difference in how we used it. It was still a bit too heavy for one to put on and off at the beginning and end of the season, but two could manage..

As to supply - You don't say where you are.. It it were me, I'd just give Ron Hale in Portsmouth a call. They do tend to have a fair selection of stock.

I guess it's too late to check you've thought about high thrust prop (since you'll not be using it on a fast speed boat), 5A charging and remote tank.
 
We have 15hp Tohatsus on our safety boats. Takes two adults to manoeuvre them on/off obviously - but also everything else is ‘heavier’ and some of the smaller/older colleagues struggle a bit to tilt/lift them, even!
 
yeah, some good questions here...

I asked some time ago on the owner's association, and strong feedback from a few of the most active members was that 10 HP is the sweet spot.

6HP can be a struggle in any kind of tide/current or bad weather. 8 HP - well, most of them are basically same as the 10HP engines anyway, so go to the 10 if you can.

I'm pretty sure I have the high-thrust prop on the existing engine, so plan had been stick with same manufacturer, and can then bring that across to the new one. Also added benefit of being somewhat familiar with working on their models, knowing some strength/weakness of them.

The current engine on is also a 8HP 4 stroke (remote controlled, electric start), so weight wise it would be like-for-like with the 10HP. (i.e. 48KG!)


Regards to what's wrong with the current, it came with the boat when I got it, and had been sat on the back unused for a couple of years at that point. It has been used since then. Recently I've spent a bit on parts, and quite a lot of time doing work on it myself, but reached point where it still overheats, even when idling. Conclusion - it needs to go to a professional, and I don't really want to sink more money on parts+ labour into something that's 20 years old and not be cared for properly.

But maybe most importantly, the most recent failure was pretty hairy, only just got anchor down before we were swept somewhere very unfortunate. Being worried about it makes it a lot more like stress, and a lot less like fun...

Location for stock doesn't matter much to me, given COVID and other factors it'd be pallet shipment to here anyway.
 
jaziniho said:
I'm replacing the outboard on my 23ft bilge keeled boat. It's currently got an 8 HP longshaft - it's over 20years old, and reached the point where a couple of reliability issues whilst out have left me feeling I want to replace and not feel so jittery about it!

I put an order and deposit down with a dealer for a 10 HP longshaft, on the basis that it's the same block/weight as the 8HP, and for not that much extra on the price gives a bit more power.

However, after some back and forth with the dealer (all polite and helpful!) over quite some weeks, it seems the manufacturer has finally admitted they don't have any 10HP in the UK, there's delays in production due to COVID, and with the problems with global shipping and Brexit, they're not expecting to get them into the UK until mid-Summer.

The manufacturer has offered a 15HP as available in stock in the UK - i've asked if there will be any discount against the 15HP given they can't supply the 10 HP, and the weeks of waiting for them to admit the issue, I'm pending response on that.

Now... a 15 HP would be completely overkill for this type of boat, no?
I'm not sure there's much benefit vs the 10HP, but the question is if the price is reasonably agreeable, are there any negatives I should think of?

Weights:

8 HP: 48 KG
10 HP: 48 KG
15 HP: 51 KG (different block with bigger displacement)

There's only 3 KG difference in weight, less than 10%, so that doesn't seem like a major factor.

Would there be higher fuel consumption? Or would you probably end up running at lower revs, so that even itself out somewhat?

Anecdotally, has anyone else heard of supply/stock issues with outboards recently?
Click to expand...
Some 15hp Outboards were de-tuned to 9.9 hp. I know our 20 year old Tohatsu 6hp is a de-tuned 8 8hp.
 
jaziniho said:
I'm pretty sure I have the high-thrust prop on the existing engine, so plan had been stick with same manufacturer, and can then bring that across to the new one. Also added benefit of being somewhat familiar with working on their models, knowing some strength/weakness of them.
Click to expand...

If you're planning on keeping the prop, I'd double check the splines on the new propshaft first. Manufacturers change the numbers and profiles of splines on a seemingly regular basis. Even different years of the same engine model can have differences in that respect.
 
Don't some of the 'high thrust' variants have a different gear ratio as well as different prop and a longer leg?

If you decide you want a certain make and model of outboard, you could consider asking the importer if any UK dealer has one, or phone a few of the 'usual suspects' who sell nationally.
 
Yes i have heard of engine shortages. Wanted a 6hp Honda for a new SIB placed order in December on the understanding that the next lot would arrive in the uk this month.
So i am hoping to have some good news any time soon.

Regards Clive
 
Rang round a bunch of places - the original order was for a Honda BF10 LRU, seems like there’s supply issues on this model, as well as others, not much going at any of the Honda focused places I spoke to. Decided against taking the 15 HP option that was offered from original dealer.

Did a bit more research on size/weights on various models.

In the end, I spoke to someone at Ron Hale Marine, as recommended by Martin_J above, who were very helpful and had Yamaha 9.9 high thrust in stock.

Slightly more than I’d originally planned to spend, but waiting is costing money on yard fees where the boat is at the moment.

A bit lighter than than the either the 10 or the 15 HP Honda, though not enough to make much practical difference.
 
I bought a 6hp Yam from Ron hale last summer and found them most helpful and easy to deal with. Small parking spaces behind his shop if you plan to collect . The Yam seemed better built than some rival makes IMHO but a Suzuki would have been second choice. Did you buy a remote tank ?
 
Yeah - spent hours and hours reading reviews and comments online, and my conclusion was any of the most famous manufacturers are all good engines, and it mostly comes down to either small differences - a few kg in weight here or there, better charging capability, or questions like whether they do a remote option in the HP range you’re after.

Picked the Yamaha because
- high thrust option
- actually in stock and available
- not heard much bad said about them anywhere!

I’m pretty sure the 9.9 comes with a small-ish remote tank. Was also thinking I can probably find a way to swap a Yamaha connector onto my existing tank, for use as a spare / additional capacity.

Did look at Suzuki - they have EFI on them from what it seems, which sounded interesting, but honestly don’t know enough about marine engines to know if it’s actually practically a big benefit, or just another more complicated thing to potentially go wrong that’s less easy to fix/clean yourself.
 
I had trouble getting a new o/b last summer, using a local dealer who matched the internet price. I think there have been issues with all manufacturers for some time. That was a tohatsu.
Go as light a weight as you can for the power you need. Dead weights over water are back breaking, and you will have to remove it for service or future theft prevention ashore etc.........at some point.
 
I only mention remote tank as I have thought I might buy a small one having a fear of running dry and while a plastic can works just thought a remote tank might be useful longer term . There do seem quite pricey though but some more research maybe needed on connectors and using other makes.
 
I just got a 22lt with gauge "hulk" brand from Marine Superstore for £35 which was way better than the £80 + being touted by the branded tanks.

No link just a happy customer.

regards Clive
 
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