Parsun Outboards - users verdict any good?

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catalac08

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Hi
These low cost outboards have been around a few years now-what is the actual experience of users now?
 
I think PBO are doing a test on one of them (2.6hp I think it is) and comparing it to others available. There was another thread recently that mentioned the Yam as the best, or if light weight is more important then definitely Suzuki. This for the smallest sized outboards...
 
ST did some outboard tests recently. I seem to recall that the Parsun was, in design, very similar to the Yamaha (suspiciously so, perhaps!). They also mentioned that the cheap Chinese outboards had all the right ingredients but were just not quite as good. Like somebody picking up a Gordon Ramsay cookery book and expecting to get the same results by following the recipe.
Also I recall that general performance, bollard pull etc, were a bit lower than the more expensive makes.
But whether this translates into anything meaningful day-to-day I have no idea.
 
catalac08 said:
Hi
These low cost outboards have been around a few years now-what is the actual experience of users now?
Click to expand...

Only know one guy with one and it's very unreliable. Main problem is that he bought from a chandler who has no service facilities and none of the local outboard repair shops have manuals or carry spares.
 
prv said:
If it's a knockoff of a Yamaha one, doesn't it take the same spares?

Pete
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Don't know Pete, only what he tells me. It's under guarantee but, with no service agent within miles that's pretty useless. The chandler in Ayamonte (50km away) who sold it, just wants to send it off somewhere. Could be away for some time while he's stuck on anchor.

These days, I always check out the service/warranty situation before buying anything, even if it costs a few quid more. Happy with my Suzuki DF6 except that a new prop cost 150 euro! Centre bush went.
 
prv said:
If it's a knockoff of a Yamaha one, doesn't it take the same spares?

Pete
Click to expand...

Chinese copies are never exactly the same as they are not made under licence but are just that - copies.

As with the M power copies discussed elsewhere, unlikely anything will be interchangeable with a Kubota or Nissan except proprietory things like filters, impellors belts etc.

Parsuns are generally sold mail order with no service backup. That is one of the reasons why the prices are low - no dealers (although they have tried to sign some up). You get what you pay for. If minimum initial cost is important to you, you lose out on something else.
 
Lots of well considered speculation and PBO tests but really just curious whether they work and last ok over a few years. Yes chinese made but so are most things for sale these days!
 
catalac08 said:
Lots of well considered speculation and PBO tests but really just curious whether they work and last ok over a few years. Yes chinese made but so are most things for sale these days!
Click to expand...

Think the lack of any real response is because very few have been sold. This is a very conservative market - it took years for the superior Japanese engines to make any impression against the inferior American engines (and Seagull). New products have to be superior in some aspect other than price to break in.
 
There is Chinese and Chinese, price related... Buy an angle grinder for €13 and don't expect too much. Buy one from a 'name' brand and expect a bit more. Still made in China.
I saw a piece in the DT about a guy who was trying to get his electric bikes made in a Chinese factory. Their MO was to get a Japanese (say Honda) model and see how they could make each part at the lowest cost, then sell the copy. Want to buy it?..
A
Having said that, those 'Nissan' copies might be a good idea, but how can you tell?
 
I would always worry if a Chinese outboard has a value second hand. Consider this, there is a new range of Chinese boats being imported into the UK which look identical to a Quicksilver, but they are offering them with a Mariner or Mercury Outboard. Perhaps to offer them with a Chinese outboard as well would make them less attractive as a new boat.
Do you remember in the UK when we started to import Ladas, Yugo, Skoda, Zastava, Wartburg, etc., Main dealers wouldent touch them it was the small "Back Street" dealers with premises who couldent get VW,Toyota, etc., who took up the franchise. I would be more inclined to consider a Chinese Outboard if one of the big outboard specialists sold them.
I went to a Chinease Outboard Distributor and quite honestly it looked like a scrap yard. They were repairing outboards outside (it wasent raining) and one of the mechanics was using a welding torch on the bolts of an outboard leg to loosen them, but this was along side where the customers would walk to go in the sales area. So as an ex Garage person, thanks but no thanks.
 
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Tranona said:
Think the lack of any real response is because very few have been sold. This is a very conservative market - it took years for the superior Japanese engines to make any impression against the inferior American engines (and Seagull). New products have to be superior in some aspect other than price to break in.
Click to expand...

Well put. You also have to remember that out their there is no RAC. I am about to buy a new boat with a brand new Mariner or Mercury Outboard and no matter how reliable they are supposed to be I want an auxiluary, perhaps a Chinese 4 hp outboard might do but I bought a second hand Mercury 4 hp off Ebay for £400.
 
From Wiki: (probably some info on 4 strokes about somewhere, but my 4hp 4 stroke Mariner is a Tohatsu as are Mecurys.)

"Nissan outboard motors are produced by Tohatsu Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. They are the second largest producer of outboard motors in the world and produce environmentally conscious TLDI series of two-stroke low pressure direct injection outboards that meet current United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations for the U.S. Mercury outboards from 30 hp and below are rebadged Tohatsu's and all Nissan outboard engines in the U.S.and Canada are Tohatsu's with a Nissan decal. Nissan Outboard's sold in Japan are re-badged Hondas."

In fact on the Tohatsu site they make it more than clear http://www.tohatsuoutboards.com/Tohatsu-FAQ-Nissan-Tohatsu-Mercury.html
 
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catalac08 said:
Hi
These low cost outboards have been around a few years now-what is the actual experience of users now?
Click to expand...

I have one on test, but my sailing season being as it is I haven't had a chance to test it, the instruction manual isn't exactly a wealth of information compared to the Yam and Suzuki I tested on the two years previous to this. It's easier to fill with oil than the Suky, but definitely isn't the same quality as the Yam. I never really got on with the Suky, yes it's lighter, but it seamed to want to rip my arm off every now and again, and would cut out as soon as load was put on it for the first time that trip. When it was going it would work like a dream. The Yam was great, but it did weigh 4 kg more than the Suky. The Parsun is heavier than the Suky, and it feels a lot cheaper in it's construction. It did win the PBO budget buy though.
 
Generally speaking a lot of the own badged stuff from China is a cheaply made copy. One of my customers bought a Parsun 15hp that seemed identical to the Yamaha 15hp but it was nowhere near as smooth and nice to use. If I was using it on the river then maybe I would consider it but not for sea use. To be fair when the ignition failed under warranty Bill Higham marine repaired it with no problem it was just a pain posting it back to them.
 
I added to the confusion with my remark about Nissan copies. In fact I was crossing with the other post about Chinese inboards ( I assume you all are reading that too). Some of which appear to be copies of Nissan. Since Renault have a big chunk of Nissan, I was surprised about the story of short service life in a test. Their engines last pretty well in road vehicles.
Back to the plot; The Chinese can make a good reliable engine if they wish, and sell it at a lower price. Must say I would still buy a Tohatsu, even if a bit more expensive. The bit more would feel better until Parsun get a track record.
 
Jim@sea said:
I would always worry if a Chinese outboard has a value second hand. Consider this, there is a new range of Chinese boats being imported into the UK which look identical to a Quicksilver, but they are offering them with a Mariner or Mercury Outboard. Perhaps to offer them with a Chinese outboard as well would make them less attractive as a new boat.
Do you remember in the UK when we started to import Ladas, Yugo, Skoda, Zastava, Wartburg, etc., Main dealers wouldent touch them it was the small "Back Street" dealers with premises who couldent get VW,Toyota, etc., who took up the franchise. I would be more inclined to consider a Chinese Outboard if one of the big outboard specialists sold them.
I went to a Chinease Outboard Distributor and quite honestly it looked like a scrap yard. They were repairing outboards outside (it wasent raining) and one of the mechanics was using a welding torch on the bolts of an outboard leg to loosen them, but this was along side where the customers would walk to go in the sales area. So as an ex Garage person, thanks but no thanks.
Click to expand...

Mind you one of the big independant car dealers where I live took on a new Japanese motor bike back when no one with common sense would buy a foreign bike, he was a back street bike dealer then, he is now a very big dealer for Honda cars. I can remember when one make of Japanese car would rust away before your very eyes and they were only for those who wanted cheap flash. I can remember when Japanes trasisters were gaudy tinny plastic boxes, now look at Sony
 
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