Outboard recommendations

Gavi

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I want one for Conkers, a 14ft rowing boat. We will normally use blades but might want to rest from time to time. Particularly on the way back fro The Swan:
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I want something lightweight and, er, cheap. Any suggestions?
 
As it happens I've got a 2HP Yammie in my shed if you want to try it for size; not mine to sell but you could verify Byron's assessment (which sounds about right to me, any more horses would just lift the bow higher!)

R
 
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You don't want any more than a 2hp. Nice little second hand 2hp Yammie would push that along nicely.

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Agree with the size, if you want cheap then get a 'Gull 40+ You get -
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Character
reliability
stealth (smoke screen...)
sympathy from other river users.
Nobody would want to pinch it.
low cost, £50 - £60 should get you one
Good solid prop that doesn't shatter when you hit one of EA's dredging "opportunities"
Light weight
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Of course you'll (all) laugh, but I luv 'em
 
Plus overkill? Minus or featherweight my suggestion. I have a Suzuki DT2.2 and very impressed with that for coastal suff, but much prefer a Seagull.

BTW True Blue, nice to meet you in Caversham Lock back in July.

IanC
 
ARC,
Thanks for the greeting; me too! Minorities aren't always too awful.

I'm not an expert on Gulls - other than 40's. AFAIK minus's and featherweights were short shafts - might be a bit short for the dinghy in question. The weight difference was small, but more to the point one doesn't see many of them on eBay.

My 40+ clutch model is only a bit heavier than my Honda 2hp, - which unit I wouldn't be happy leaving on the tender, and it cost 5 times as much.

If going for a Gull, it's best to get a post 1968 one (hence the 40+) as you can run it on 25:1, rather than 10:1 which is where the smoke comes from.

When you get to the bigger models - Century+ etc, then they do weigh a lot more and more modern Honda's Suzuki's and so on are easier to manhandle.
 
I agree with the Small Honda, Although a tad noisy being air cooled. I had one for a couple of years and it pushed our mirror dinghy nicely. Very reliable and frugal.
 
If you can find one the old water cooled honda BF2 outboards are wicked. Apart from the watercooled Honda I'd say the best engine would be a two stroke Yamaha 2 or possibly a 4. its a fairly big dinghy in the picture so one of the miniature 2's is possibly a bit small. Yamaha 2 strokes are good kit. 2 stroke outboards are now banned and it appears to be impossible to buy a new one unless you are a commercial operator. Watch the prices of good secondhand 2 stroke outboards rise over the next few years...
 
What a great set of replies - thankyou!

2+ hp outboard - have been offered one and will try
electric - I've got one and find the battery a bit much to lug, so want to try a normal outboard first
Seagull - much more in keeping with the style of the boat? Opinions welcomed.
 
Nooooo.... don't get the "gull", they have character alright but your ears will bleed and your temper will flare. Technology has moved on a bit in the last 50years /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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Nooooo.... don't get the "gull", they have character alright but your ears will bleed and your temper will flare. Technology has moved on a bit in the last 50years /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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I agree, leave the Seagull to the dude in the woolly hat and beard with spanners in his pockets. My first reply correct, a 2hp Yamaha.
It will not weigh the stern down and will give you more than adequate performance.
 
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It will not weigh the stern down and will give you more than adequate performance.

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... and you can boast in the pub that you need at least two horsepower to drive your "conkers" effectively

(c:
 
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