Outboard and GPS shopping dilemmaS

[ALEXD]

I know their is no such thing as an reliable outboard, but having spent the last month drifting around harbours in the tender, usually full of shopping, wife and child, while i frankly pull the cord, have decided to get a new outboard. What is the most reliable - two or four stroke. I was thinking a 2.5 hp 4 stroke Yamaha or 2.3hp 4 stroke Honda - but have vague memory that 4 stroke engines can't live on their sides, could this possibly be true?

It seems possible to buy a GPS/chartplotter and then need to spend the same again on electronic charts. I have a basic fixed GPS on the chartable, and are looking for a handheld one for the cockpit. Do I go for Genav 4c for over £500 and then have to spend £500 on charts (I have just spent £400 on paper charts for western med to Solent) or do I go for the Meridian Marine (£280) and use its preloaded database.


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[Talbot]

The 4 strokers need to be carefully put down on their correct side otherwise you end up with a pool of oil under them. The air cooled honda is noisy but doesnt suffer problems with the water cooling that bedevills normal small engines. The Yam is heavy. The 4 strokers need to be pulled over for a harder longer pull than 2 strokes, cause they dont fire so often, thus can be more difficult for the fairer sex to start.

I have just upgraded from a 2hp yamaha to the 3.5 tohatsu, and am very happy with it. Lots more grunt, but not much heavier, and it has a neutral gear.


Suggest that you change to C-Map as they have a system that enables you to swap in one area chart, for similar chart of a different area (or even a different size. Furthermore, once you have boght a c-map ctg of an area, you can also buy a cd of the same area at a much reduced price, connect your basic GPS up to a laptop, and you have an alternative system to the plotter. I like to have the area paper chart as well as back-up. Recommend Navman 5500 or 5600 as a good plotter if you want further details, contact me

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[scarlett]

Keep clear of Garmin because they have stopped supporting G-Charts, without warning and decline to say how long they will support Blue Charts.

Honda 2 horse is a good motor and you will not put it on the wrong side without being very silly. Starting has not been a problem over five seasons.


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[LadyInBed]

Re: reliable outboard

I have no experience of the 4 strokes - yet! But my Suzi DT2 has served me well for eleven years, and that was bought 2nd hand.

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[ALEXD]

Thanks very useful advice

I went and looked at the Navman 5500 and 5600 - i think they are more than i need, as well as out of my budget. We areb very basic on board - no lap tops! So I have bought a basic Magellan meridian handheld.

Still not sure about the outboards - but guess honda will be the one i go for - Ellie will just have to do a bit more weighttraining!







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[Talbot]

I will have a surplus 3.5 hp mercury after this weekend, which I will be selling if you are interested

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[ALEXD]

I am sure it's very reliable, but having drifted around anchorage trying to start second hand outboards i have promised my wife a new one.

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[LadyInBed]

I hope your's served you better than the one I had previous to the suzi, I could never get the damn thing to restart when it had warmed up, and it was heavy.

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