Small lightweight and CHEAP outboard motor

[Roach1948]

Looking to buy a new but CHEAP small lightweight outboard. Somthing like a 2hp. What would people recommend and is it really worth the extra expense going 4 stroke? If anybody knows of any good offers at the moment I will be interested.

 

[m1taylor]

If you are buying new, then 4 stroke is your only choice! I have heard reasonably good reports about the Suzuki 2.5HP, which you should be able to get for about £389. There may be a small chance that some dealers may have a few 2006 2 strokes left, but they are now getting scarce. If you want a clutch rather than direct drive, then look for a Tohatsu 3.5hp or Mariner/Mercury 3.3hp. Plenty of second hand 2 strokes around - for the lightest good little two stroke around try finding one the Yamaha 2hp 2 strokes - but you will have to take a chance, as they are now getting quite old. Good luck!

 

[whisper]

Owing to EU emissions regs. you cannot buy new small 2 strokes in Europe anymore. You may, however, find some still in stock since before the regulation change took place.
Failing that, GaelForce Marine are offering Suzuki 2.5hp 4 strokes at £399. They, along with the Honda 2.3 are the lightest 4s that you can buy.

 

[whisper]

SNAP.
You can obviously type faster than I can /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[bobgosling]

I have a Suzuki 2.5 (4-stroke). Very pleased with it so far. Got from Mailspeed along with an inflatable for a very reasonable package price.

 

[Gordonmc]

I was ordering a bit for my 2.2 Mercury last week and got chatting to the storeman about a brand new 2.5 (2-stroke) on display.
The EU ban may mean 2-strokes can no longer be imported or manufactured, but there is no restriction on the sale of new motors if they are in stock.
My new friend told me there is a wharehouse full of 2-strokes in Belgium.
It seems they will be available for some time to come.

 

[cliff]

Sod the 4 strokes - nothing but heart ache - have a look HERE for Tohatsu 3.5 2-strokes. Not much difference in cost and a more powerful engine - you might buy a larger tender in the future......

It is legal to buy, own and use them contrary to some opinions but they are getting scarce as they cannot be imported into the EU anymore so the only new ones available are stock before the import restriction came into force.

Having had a couple of 4 strokes I would recommend sticking with the two stroke while you can still get one (I sold both my 4 strokes and went back to the two stroke variety)

Usual Caveats - No connection with the company etc. etc.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Sod the 4 strokes - nothing but heart ache - have a look HERE for Tohatsu 3.5 2-strokes. Not much difference in cost and a more powerful engine - you might buy a larger tender in the future......

It is legal to buy, own and use them contrary to some opinions but they are getting scarce as they cannot be imported into the EU anymore so the only new ones available are stock before the import restriction came into force.

Having had a couple of 4 strokes I would recommend sticking with the two stroke while you can still get one (I sold both my 4 strokes and went back to the two stroke variety)

Usual Caveats - No connection with the company etc. etc.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree totally .... I have 3 small 2 st's - would never change them for 4's ....

Stock is still there - just need to ask round ... or why not buy a recon 2nd hand one ? or even private ? 2's are much easier to fix anyway !

 

[barnaclephill]

Bought a cheap 2HP 2stroke Chinese outboard on Ebay 'coz was cheap.
Waste of money. The centrifugal clutch is odd, in that it doesn't engage until it's ready (about half to 2 seconds), but most importantly, while underway the fuel cap shakes itself off thus letting splashing fuel and vapours around the top. Not ideal and prolly not up to any applicable standards.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Look for an old Yamaha 2hp, feather light and completely reliable. I've got 2 of them now, one on the boat as a back up when needed, spends all its life in the bilge only to be pulled out once or twice a year, starts second pull without fail! Brilliant little engine, wouldn't be without it. Should be able to pick one up for about £100.

 

[Guest]

I wasn't implying Chinese cr** ...

My littl'un ..... Mariner 2 ... then a Johnson 3.3 .... and finally a Johnson 4.5

No problem.

 

[pappaecho]

If you buy the 2.5hp Suzuki beware that it does not like "old fuel", and the carb gums up and so the bugger wont start, or dies in transit. Not a hard problem to cure, simply by undoing the bleed screw in the bottom of the float chamber and dumping the contents. This collects a translucent precipitate, which causes the problem. I use a fine filter on the previous years (over wintered)2 stroke, and make sure the can is left in the sun for a few hours so the stuff redissolves. Only happens with modern unleaded, and never gave me any problem with the Seagull

 

[Roach1948]

Thanks for all your help. I would like to stay 2 stroke.

Does anybody know how different a 4hp and 3.3 Mariner 2 stroke compare weight wise? Tried to find it on their site but to no avail. Found a good deal on a 3.3 2hp - but maybe that is heavy too as it may not be too far different from my current 4hp

 

[Guest]

As I've posted many times before ... modern gasoline is a different ball-game to older conventional gasoline.

As to leaving fuel in the sun..... as fuel blender and analyst - definitely NOT something I would recc'd at all. In fact best is to keep cool and in a dark place in a sealed can.

As to gumming up a carb - any gasoline will do that - so run the carb dry when stopping the engine ...

 

[m1taylor]

There's a massive difference! The 4hp is around 19kilos, the 3.3 a mere 13kilos. Basically the 4hp is designed to be capable of being an auxilliary for a small yacht/boat, the 3.3 is really for tenders.