Tintin
Well-Known Member
After more problems with my 2hp 4 stroje suzuki (starter rope breaking inside recoil mechanism) and regular starting problems i am looking for recomendations for a well made reliable small (2 or 4hp) outboard for my tender.
Small outboard recomendations please.
- Thread starter Tintin
- Start date
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Anything Tohatsu (Mariner, Mercury, Nissan). Can't beat 'em.
Cappen Boidseye
Well-Known Member
I have been using a 2.5 hp short shaft 4 stroke Suzuki, it is the best outboard I have used, starts well and runs quietly and smoothly.This is despite it being attached to an Avon which I managed to flip over. The engine is at now about three years old and just works when required.
It definitely helps to keep it upright, when lying on the correct side, sometimes it gets reluctant to turn. Other than that, I wouldn't change it for anything else. I suppose I should get it serviced now it is about three years old, maybe after this season is done!
It definitely helps to keep it upright, when lying on the correct side, sometimes it gets reluctant to turn. Other than that, I wouldn't change it for anything else. I suppose I should get it serviced now it is about three years old, maybe after this season is done!
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
Don't buy a Yamaha 2.5, nothing but trouble trouble trouble!!!
sailorman
Well-Known Member
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Cloven
Well-Known Member
Don't buy a Yamaha 2.5, nothing but trouble trouble trouble!!!
I bought a Yamaha 2.5hp 4 stroke new about 3 years ago and it has performed faultlessly. Starts first time every time and runs just fine
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Yes I agree with you.
josephmoore
Well-Known Member
I've got the 5hp Mercury which is a little larger but I suspect is very similar to the 3.3hp judging by the photo - Tohatsu do make excellent little engines.
uxb
Well-Known Member
Tohatsu or Honda for me.
I have recently replaced my 2 HP Honda that's was about ten years old and had been for a swim more than once in between sitting on the push pit in all weathers. It was getting a bit cranky but still only sipped fuel. I only swapped it out as it nearly had a few folk in the water ( including me) as it started and ran in gear..
It's been replaced by another Honda- a 2.3 with clutch.
I also have a 9 HP Tohatsu for my wee fishing boat that also sips fuel and has been 100% reliable.
I have recently replaced my 2 HP Honda that's was about ten years old and had been for a swim more than once in between sitting on the push pit in all weathers. It was getting a bit cranky but still only sipped fuel. I only swapped it out as it nearly had a few folk in the water ( including me) as it started and ran in gear..
It's been replaced by another Honda- a 2.3 with clutch.
I also have a 9 HP Tohatsu for my wee fishing boat that also sips fuel and has been 100% reliable.
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
Maybe I've been unlucky. Never know if its going to start, or indeed keep going. The main jet gets blocked with moisture, and you have to blow it out to get going again.
The choke has sheared off.
The petrol breather lets water into the tank.
Its very heavy (17 kg)
The bolt that holds on the carb also holds on the air scoop, a gasket, the carb, another two gaskets and a spacer. ( guess how i know)
Its manufactured in France.....'nuf said!!
Overall 4/10.
Sneaky Pete
Well-Known Member
A Suzuki 2.5hp works well for me.
Suttle
Well-Known Member
I also have a Yamaha 2.5hp 4 stroke, had it four years and it has never let me down. Used regularly to get out to the boat which is on swinging mooring.
Cobra
Well-Known Member
OK...so lets just recap on what you are looking for:
1) a well made reliable
2) small (2 or 4hp) outboard for my tender.
At great risk of incurring the wrath of the Green factions here, may I suggest the venerable Seagull 40+
It is a very well made outboard. They have been around for many years and most will still start first time everytime (well...mine does and it has been in service with my father originally and latterly myself for over 40 years now!!) and it sits perfectly on our tender, looks good and SOUNDS like an outboard should...not like the Japcrap outboards that sound like a gnat farting in a bean can!!
Go on...you KNOW you want one!!!
1) a well made reliable
2) small (2 or 4hp) outboard for my tender.
At great risk of incurring the wrath of the Green factions here, may I suggest the venerable Seagull 40+
It is a very well made outboard. They have been around for many years and most will still start first time everytime (well...mine does and it has been in service with my father originally and latterly myself for over 40 years now!!) and it sits perfectly on our tender, looks good and SOUNDS like an outboard should...not like the Japcrap outboards that sound like a gnat farting in a bean can!!
Go on...you KNOW you want one!!!
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gerryraby1
Well-Known Member
OK, I am going to upset the apple cart here!
I have an electric outboard which I run on a pack that I put together to include a charging circuit and 2 x 20Ahr sealed batteries.
Pro's: It is light, silent, easy to use and reliable. Also there is no smelly petrol or servicing to be done.
Cons: The battery pack takes 24 hours of mains electricity to recharge it and it has a limited range. Obviously the range that you need it to achieve is important. My outboard can get me to my mooring and back which is about one and a half miles. I think it would struggle in a F5 against the tide though. Obviously you could increase the range with larger batteries.
If you are in the Portsmouth area I would be happy to show you.
Gerry www.sadler32forsale.com
I have an electric outboard which I run on a pack that I put together to include a charging circuit and 2 x 20Ahr sealed batteries.
Pro's: It is light, silent, easy to use and reliable. Also there is no smelly petrol or servicing to be done.
Cons: The battery pack takes 24 hours of mains electricity to recharge it and it has a limited range. Obviously the range that you need it to achieve is important. My outboard can get me to my mooring and back which is about one and a half miles. I think it would struggle in a F5 against the tide though. Obviously you could increase the range with larger batteries.
If you are in the Portsmouth area I would be happy to show you.
Gerry www.sadler32forsale.com
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
You could always leave a boat on the mooring with a big wind generator on it to recharge the battery pack.
kacecar
Well-Known Member
FWIW, my Suzuki 2.5hp experience. About 18 months ago, after one dunking too many, my venerable and hitherto reliable Honda 2.3hp ceased to function and I replaced it with a new Suzuki. This engine is generally OK but I've had a couple of persistent problems with it and, from a bit of googling, it appears I'm not the only one - although I have no idea what the percentage of units affected might be.
First, an irritation, is the habit it has of kicking back while I'm starting it - it's hard on the arm and feels as though it could result in real injury on an unlucky day. Second, more serious, is its habit of stalling when put into gear and/or when attempting to accelerate. I read on an American forum that it is something to do with the standard jetting - there is an acknowledged fix apparently but it involves stripping the carb so, unless you are good with carbs and their fiddly innards, can cost a bit to fix.
Not a lousy engine, but not as good as I expected.
First, an irritation, is the habit it has of kicking back while I'm starting it - it's hard on the arm and feels as though it could result in real injury on an unlucky day. Second, more serious, is its habit of stalling when put into gear and/or when attempting to accelerate. I read on an American forum that it is something to do with the standard jetting - there is an acknowledged fix apparently but it involves stripping the carb so, unless you are good with carbs and their fiddly innards, can cost a bit to fix.
Not a lousy engine, but not as good as I expected.
Cappen Boidseye
Well-Known Member
I have come across that hesitation, I noticed it when flushing out the motor in a wheelie bin. A bit more water in the bin,I.e. the motor slightly lower in the water so that there is a bit more back pressure and that hesitation goes away. I suppose adjusting the transom height is not as east though!
I guess that the carb could be tuned to compensate for different back pressures to suit your transom.
Cappen Boidseye
Well-Known Member
Easy
longjohnsilver
Well-Known Member
Tohatsu are excellent. If you want the lightest possible engine look for an old Yamaha 2hp 2 stroke, great little engines.
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
My main engine is a Tohatsu
my back up for the boatr is the Honda 2.3
it is a cracking good starter
sips fuel
and the fact that it is air cooled is a real bonus as it can be used in weedy places and does not overheat if the leg comes out of the water
here it is pushing the 23 footer along
the only problem I have had with it - which is quite a big problem - is that the casting at the top of the leg failed
http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/honda-2-3-casting-failure/
I would say that Honda Marine are not big on responding to problems and you have to bash away at them to get their attention
and then it is often a case of talk to the hand
my back up for the boatr is the Honda 2.3
it is a cracking good starter
sips fuel
and the fact that it is air cooled is a real bonus as it can be used in weedy places and does not overheat if the leg comes out of the water
here it is pushing the 23 footer along
the only problem I have had with it - which is quite a big problem - is that the casting at the top of the leg failed
http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/honda-2-3-casting-failure/
I would say that Honda Marine are not big on responding to problems and you have to bash away at them to get their attention
and then it is often a case of talk to the hand