Outboard auxiliaries

[Spuddy]

My last post gave me some useful stuff. Would now like to know about the teams experience of 2 strokes v 4 strokes. Some mention recently of feebleness of smaller 4 strokes - above what HP does this not apply ?
Thanks all - any comments appreciated.

 

[steve_cronin]

On a Honda....

twin cylinder models are where the robustness and reliability start. That's at 8hp.

Steve Cronin

 

[jamesjermain]

If you want a new two-stroke, buy now cos they won't be available for much longer (not sure of the exact timescale).

Two-strokes are lighter (but not by much now) and have a higher power toweight ratio. They are generally reliable but, after a long period of idleness (over winter), the oil in the mixure ssttles out and can block the carburettor (I've just spend £45 relearning this lesson).

Four-strokes are a bit heavier, much more fuel efficient, smoother and quieter, and more reliable. You don't have to worry about mixing fuel and oil but you do have to remember to check sump oil level and, you must stow the engine in the right position to prevent oil leaking into the cylinder or all over your cockpit locker.

I have found the smaller four-strokes a bit wheezy but the 9.9s upwards seem to be fine.

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
...feebleness of smaller 4 strokes.

[/ QUOTE ]

My experience is that the small fours are better with some brands than others, two which crop up as less well regarded (though there are plenty of exceptions) are Suzuki and Honda. The Merc/Mari/Yama/Tohat ilk all seem to be good in smaller HPs, but I sell as well as use the Tohatsus so am biased.

On a price per horse basis, I reckon the 5 in either stroke is a good one, about 650.00 in either case and with a good measure of oomph. That said I know people who use 8HPs as an auxilary on some pretty big boats, with the right prop those little devils will push just about anything. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Spuddy]

Thanks everybody - helpful tips

 

[graham]

Our 4 hp 4 stroke suzuki pushes our 22 foot Anderson at about 5 knots.It has plenty of thrust for coping with strong headwinds and for manouvering onto pontoon berths etc.Definitely not feeble for its size.

On the down side its heavier and bulkier than a 2 stroke.

 

[Duffer]

Search back for recent thread on Mariners 9/15hp (positive replies so we've ordered one).

My 2.3hp Honda 4-stroke is very good - at least as powerful as previous Mercury 2.5 2-stroke - and gets my AX3 planing with 1 up. Weight is about the same (13kg) and it uses half the petrol. Being air-cooled it is a bit noisy but at least it won't clog up when we take it up weedy/silty rivers as we tend to do.