Recommend a Outboard

Adrian62

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Looking for an outboard for a tender , Tender will be 2.7 m ,thinking of a Mariner 3.5 new or nearly new about £600 or would it be better to look at another make either 2 or 4 stroke .
 
Wide choice.

.Mght be worth breaking down your criteria for a usable outboard . I.e.
Weight, power output, economy etc.
 
Where will you be using it - quiet creek for relatively short distances - or fast flowing lumpy river wanting to run around all day - is light weight, quiet running important- not scaring the egrets - or not a worry - does the dinghy row relatively easily if you had to, or does it need a reasonably powerful outboard to get around?

E-lite works well for us to and from the mooring and around the harbour watching the birds - 125-200 Watts gives a couple of hours of gentle motoring - cost to buy not much more than a Mariner 3.5. We have a Mariner 3.5 4 stroke if we want to do longer all day trips but it is a lot heavier - changed to electric due to weight, low noise and no worry instant starting.
 
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Yes a second hand Mercury / Mariner 3.3hp two stroke would be my choice - and indeed it was

I'd seriously consider a trip to the Channel islands to get a new one, or print off a business letter and buy new in the UK or online.

Might even be worth seeing if a firm will (say) take the fork leg off and sell a new one as two legal parts. I know at least one UK dealer will dismantle new engines for parts so it's not a massive leap to sell a brand new 2T as two chunks.
 
Yes a second hand Mercury / Mariner 3.3hp two stroke would be my choice - and indeed it was
Big +1.

If you can find a good Tohatsu 2T, go for it. You'll be glad you did every time you have to lift it. OTOH, the 4T, while significantly heavier and bulkier, is more economical and quieter.

OTOH, if you don't have to go long distances and have the budget, an electric one would be worth considering, especially if you have the electrical capacity to recharge it on board.
 
Big +1.

If you can find a good Tohatsu 2T, go for it. You'll be glad you did every time you have to lift it. OTOH, the 4T, while significantly heavier and bulkier, is more economical and quieter.

OTOH, if you don't have to go long distances and have the budget, an electric one would be worth considering, especially if you have the electrical capacity to recharge it on board.

I'd agree but I'm not sure the £600 budget stretches to electric.
 
Just wondering if the latest Honda 2.3 4T now have proper marine stainless nuts and bolts.

I know it's a marmite outboard on here but some could be tempted .
 
On pure reliability terms I have never found better than Yamaha in their 4-70hp ranges. Their 2.5hp 4t would be top of my list if I were shopping for a new one.

I would never buy another engine with any ties to either Brunswick (mercury/mariner/Force) or OMC Bombardier (Johnson/Evinrude) no matter how much the base engine may have been bought in from Tohatsu. They have still stuck their own cheap plastic bits onto the base motor and passed it through their lax QC.
 
I have a Yamaha Malta surplus to requirements. Often described as the best smal two stroke ever. 3.5 hp and can be taken out of gear - very unusual on the small motors.

Not used for some time so a service might be advisable.
 
I'd seriously consider a trip to the Channel islands to get a new one, or print off a business letter and buy new in the UK or online.

Might even be worth seeing if a firm will (say) take the fork leg off and sell a new one as two legal parts. I know at least one UK dealer will dismantle new engines for parts so it's not a massive leap to sell a brand new 2T as two chunks.

Just a letterhead won't suffice for Tohatsu UK who have to approve the dealer's sale. You will also need proof of trading and sign indemnity that the outboard won't be used for recreational purpose, including if later resold.
 
I have a Yamaha Malta surplus to requirements. Often described as the best smal two stroke ever. 3.5 hp and can be taken out of gear - very unusual on the small motors.

Not used for some time so a service might be advisable.
All the Tohatsu/Mercury/Mariner 3.3hp have the gear or neutral option, so not that unusual.
The 2.5hp version is the only one without this.
 
Just a letterhead won't suffice for Tohatsu UK who have to approve the dealer's sale. You will also need proof of trading and sign indemnity that the outboard won't be used for recreational purpose, including if later resold.

I doubt you need too much imagination to meet those (or similar) criteria, but if it's really is impossible to buy new in the UK you can in the CIs.

I also find it hard to believe that some foreign supplier won't post one. - You can buy cocaine in the UK, I'm sure you can get a Tohatsu 2T.

Of course Chinese 2Ts are all over Ali Express. (But no Tohatsus AFAICT.)

Anyhow, when the supply of good used UK Tohatsu 3.5 2T dries up, I'll be buying a new one somehow. (Unless they sort out Electric OB's cost and "refuelability" in the meantime, or make a 9kg 4T, that doesn't need engine oil. 🤞)
 
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Another vote for tbe Yamaha 2.5 4 stroke... Mine is about 15 years old I reckon... Dropped in the sea about 10 years back.. Didnt get to clean it out for a week... Never corroded... . Always starts first pull...
 
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