Recommendations for tender outboard

[Bouba]

 

[pvb]

Your French website is obviously out of date.

 

[bitbaltic]

Honda 2.3. Steve66 of this parish might be able to help you out.

You got there before me. To the OP, Steve works only with the little hondas and always has reconditioned ones for sale- search eBay for evansmarineservice (all one word). Bought a 1996 one from him years ago and it’s still totally reliable. You’ll have to go to Wolverhampton to pick it up but it will be as good as new for a very fair second hand price.

 

[Manosk]

I have a Suzuki 2.5 fourstroke but last year I had to buy a new carburator and I was told that they have a problem with the
curburator so my next choice would be the Honda 2.3

 

[dansaskip]

I would also recommend a second hand two stroke . I bought a second hand 3.3hp Mariner back in 2001 and I dont' know how old it was already and it is still going strong despite the abuse I throw at it, and it has been pretty heavily used as I was full time cruising for 6 years. (Mariner. Tohatsu & Mercury are all the same engine with different badges) I have heard of so many who have problems with 4 strokes. They are heavier too, not something you want if you have to heave it onto your boat from a bobbing dinghy. I thought you could still get new 2 strokes from the Channel Islands? or has that changed.?

 

[new tom]

I also use a Suzuki 2,5 4 stroke, 6 years old, less hours.
I also had to mount a new carb

 

[Captain Crisp]

I bought a 2nd hand Mariner 4 stroke 2.5 hp, very reliable but way too heavy for passing up to main boat. I kept an eye out on eBay and bought a 1997 Suzuki 2 stroke for £130. Absolutely brilliant. Very light, easy to service, and I made a £50 profit on the 4 stroke on eBay. Bang. Ultimately, though, I would like an electric...

 

[langstonelayabout]

A little one for a tender? We have recently started using our 4 stroke Yamaha 2.5 as first choice over that of the Suzuki 2.2 2 stroke that we've owned for donkeys years.

The Yamaha is a little more precious, needing the choke set just right, the fuel filtered (always!) and needing to have the carburettor drained in the fresh water tank afterwards but is a nicer and cleaner thing to use. It also has a neutral!

The Suzuki is wonderful and can be neglected for years and still start second pull. Its just a bit smelly compared with the Yamaha.

Our friends have a Torqueedo electric outboard which is wonderful, clean and silent. Lovely to use.

 

[MADRIGAL]

I cannot say enough about the reliability of my 2010 model 4-stroke 2.5 HP Yamaha. After struggling with several poor starting two-strokes, and the bother of mixing fuel, the start-on-the-first-pull of the 4-stroke is a welcome relief. It is, however, heavier than some of the alternatives suggested above. If I had to do any serious lugging about with it, I would look for a lighter 4-stroke.

 

[Laysula]

I have a 3-3 Mercury two smoke. Light reliable and smooth.

 

[QBhoy]

2.2 Suzuki, mercury mariner 2.5/3.3 2 stroke you know are just going to start every time, every year for decades and more. Or if you come into a fortune or win the lottery...buy another Yamaha Malta ?

 

[Manako]

Before my breakdown last week I would have sworn to the reliability of electric. And I certainly would have recommended electric to anyone looking for a small outboard as long as they had the budget

I certainly would not go for a Torqueedo overpriced outboard. I purchased a 401s some years ago and even purchased a spare propeller for it as they are plastic and be easily damaged. I actually used the outboard only twice because stupidly I was concerned that it would be stolen. In the meantime the battery failed whilst being topped up and I discovered that these were no longer manufactured. I was then offered a discounted and updated unit which on receipt of the serial numbers was then withdrawn: Torqueedo claimed that the battery and motor serial numbers did not match and as I had purchased the unit from a main retailer proved to me that Torqueedo are not to be trusted. I had previously used a Minn Kota outboard with separate battery and this had never let me down and I intend to return to this much cheaper option with a lithium battery.

 

[ashtead]

It really depends on usage and your /crew strength. There seem to be basically about 4 options (apart from rowing but if you you choose unwisely you will no doubt try this one out as well?)
1 Buy a pricey electric one but reliable,easy to store below behind a berth or under a bunk, quiet so you can potter about not disturbing others . Downsides seem to be price and ease of others nicking etc but if you have young /less strong crew who might not want to carry/start petrol etc a good choice -2 makes I believe but are they worth it for your usage ? Looks like a 1400 investment I suspect but safer as no petrol cans /smell - if they did a good one for sub £1k I would be tempted.
2buy a 2 stroke mercury 3.3 or suchlike secondhand from say Emsworth outboards or the outboard dealers at Fareham creek 9have dealt with both and seem fine based on usual customer service standards in marine industry ( better than some well known Volvo dealers) - can also buy in Alderney new Im told but might be rather difficult currently. I have a 2001 3.3 which needs a caring owner who likes cleaning carbs etc as they have a habit of sulking over winter due to fuel issues but if you like tinkering with engines these are ones for you ; I guess around £300 but privately say £150 maybe ? Others might have one for sale if you post ?
3)Buy a nice shiny Yamaha 4 stroke ( the 4,5 and 6hp) are much the same from Ron hale in southsea or other dealer. Other makes like Suzuki are there plus cheaper makes which I’m not familiar with Quite heavy to lower onto dinghy but plenty of grunt in a 6hp and with 2 crew can be lowered off stern but a crane would assist. About twice the weight nearly of your little mercury/mariner but have proper throttle with neutral and reverse . You might have to be more careful about hitting the prop on ground as I suspect more expensive than a new split pin you put in for a merc/mariner. Much more reliable than the 2stroke for me, no fuel mixing issues but seems to use more fuel so a spare tank might be useful of say12 litres. Cost around the £1000 mark depending on brand;
4) buy a secondhand 4 stroke -I guess price for small secondhand ones is highly variable but if buying secondhand to cut costs I would go for a 2 stroke personally.
5) buy a Honda from Steve who posts on here;

let us know what you find if you go the 2 stroke route.

 

[Bouba]

I start with what do I do with my tender. If I waterski then electric is not for me, but just to get to shore, then small petrol or electric. If I have a petrol mothership then a petrol outboard is not a problem. If I have a diesel boat then why would I want a jerrycan of petrol and an integral tank of petrol lying in my lazaret. How much do I use the tender? If not very often then, counterintuitively, i would choose electric. Petrol engines with tiny carburetors and microscopic jets and today’s cruddy fuel don’t like not being used. So even if the per use cost is astronomical, I’d still go electric.
And if I think that whatever I buy will eventually die and need repairing, I’d go petrol

 

[[185615]]

Looking to purchase a new or used outboard, my boat came with an outboard for the tender, a 2 stroke Yamaha Malta, however after I unseizied it the cylinder housing is cracked hence a replacement needed. Looking for some thing I can easily service myself, around 3 - 5 h. not sure if I should stick with another used 2 stroke or go for a four stroke, my boat is on a swing mooring so needed for tender which will then be lifted on to boat. Recommendations please.
thank you

I asked the question here about Bison electrical outboards had lots of good advice.
As a result I have just purchased a Susuki 2.5 4 stroke only 5 hours on it still has the warranty, a fortunate find for under £400.00.
It is one of the lightest in its class.

 

[philiphenson]

I asked the question here about Bison electrical outboards had lots of good advice.
As a result I have just purchased a Susuki 2.5 4 stroke only 5 hours on it still has the warranty, a fortunate find for under £400.00.
It is one of the lightest in its class.

Good luck with the Suzuki. They are truly horrible little things. I hope it doesn't injure you as many others have been when this dreadful thing kicks back.

 

[iamtjc]

Philip, I have acquired a new Suzuki 2.5 with my boat. I haven't used it yet. Can you elaborate on the 'kick back' and what happens that can injure you.
Thanks

 

[TiggerToo]

It does depend on how far you have to go, and how fast you want to go, but an electric outboard has my interest as they are so easy to lift on & off the boat and there is no petrol or oil to worry about. Either the Epropulsion or Torqueedo though - I wouldn't mess about with a trolling motor and separate battery.
The downsides are still the cost, range and top speed, but if it's mainly for to & from a mooring that isn't 2 miles away, they are a good choice.

the Epropulsion is definitely OK for a mooring that is 2 miles away.

We got one a couple of weeks ago, and tested it on the Fowey River. We drove up-stream against the tide from Wiseman's Reach to St Minnow's (we ran out of water), then down to Fowey and back to Wiseman's Reach, then back again to Mixtow and back to the boat (about 8 miles). All at a rate of above 300W with two "heavies" on a 2.4m Zodiac. There was still 25% percent left in the battery.

No hassle with starting, and brilliant silence - just the noise of the water.

The only issue is that it takes a long time (and lots of energy) to recharge the 1270Wh battery to full.

We are going to keep the Suzuki 2.5hp for "spares".

 

[TiggerToo]

Good luck with the Suzuki. They are truly horrible little things. I hope it doesn't injure you as many others have been when this dreadful thing kicks back.

They are prone (like all other small engines) to suffer from blocked fuel pipes - especially if you leave the (bio)petrol in the tanks for several months (Any idea what this jelly type substance is that plugged my carb?).

Taking care not to keep the petrol in the tank is one way to help yourself.

 

[Moodysailor]

the Epropulsion is definitely OK for a mooring that is 2 miles away.

We got one a couple of weeks ago, and tested it on the Fowey River. We drove up-stream against the tide from Wiseman's Reach to St Minnow's (we ran out of water), then down to Fowey and back to Wiseman's Reach, then back again to Mixtow and back to the boat (about 8 miles). All at a rate of above 300W with two "heavies" on a 2.4m Zodiac. There was still 25% percent left in the battery.

No hassle with starting, and brilliant silence - just the noise of the water.

The only issue is that it takes a long time (and lots of energy) to recharge the 1270Wh battery to full.

We are going to keep the Suzuki 2.5hp for "spares".

Good to know, it is definitely moving up our list, thanks ?