Suzuki or Yamaha 2.5 HP outboard

[Jcorstorphine]

I am planning to buy an 2.5 HP outboard and am looking at a Suzuki or a Yamaha. Not much difference in price from our local dealer but the Suzuki is 4 kg lighter. Any thoughts? I will be using it the main in salt water.

Regards

John

 

[Chrusty1]

Either would do you well, I have a Suzuki 2.5 and it's a great little engine.

 

[SwedishLass]

extra 4kg is a lot when getting it back aboard from the tender.

 

[Anthony]

just to complicate things, have you looked at the air cooled honda? Great little engine...

Ants

 

[KeithH]

I have the air cooled Honda - great that it is air cooled BUT I find the centrifugal clutch irritating. It is not easy to come alongside gently - as the prop stops at low revs, losing stearage. Also, the air cooled Honda is noisy compared with a water cooled engine.

If I had another chance to buy a small outboard, I would go for the Suzuki. It has a forward-neutral gear, so coming alongside is easy.

 

[paulrae]

I have the Suzuki and can recommend it. My wife can happily (?) lift it, so it's not too fraught when passing from the dinghy to the yacht.

 

[beyondtheblue]

Don't know anything about the Yamaha. I got the Suzuki 2.5 a month ago, took it to the boat this weekend and the start cord wouldn't pull out more than a few inches no matter how hard I pulled. I took it back to the store today and guess what! it had fixed itself on the way to the store. Also the plastic clamp that holds the leg down is very tight, I had to file it down a little to make it usable.

 

[aidancoughlan]

I bought a suzuki 2.5hp about a month ago, but havn't used it yet. Did quite a bit of googling at the time, and it seemed to get good reviews, and won a round-up in one of the magazines. I've seen several comments on the Honda clutch, and the noise it makes. The Suzuki is apparently the lightest 2-stroke available.
Looked good on paper, hope it works when I take it out !

 

[Chrusty1]

It's a 4 stroke, and it will! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[aidancoughlan]

[ QUOTE ]
It's a 4 stroke, and it will!

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it is,... and I hope so !

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Looks like its going to be a Suzuki, many thanks to all.

Regards

John

 

[Channel Sailor]

I would try and find a 2 stroke, probably 2nd hand. They are supposed to be lighter to haul around off the stern of a yacht and small tender.

 

[jonjo]

I have owned both over the past 4 years but even as a fit'ish 40 something I found the extra weight of the Yam something of an ordeal when lifting the engine on and off the dinghy transom.

I do miss the obvious higher quality build of the Yam and the Suzuki has developed a nasty pre ignition snatch back habit on the starter line. This problem has been discussed on the forum and no solution offered.

 

[jonjo]

Forgot to say I traded the Yam in for a new Suzuki because of the weight issue.

 

[sturmvogel190a]

I have the Suzuki 2.5 and cant fault it ,Liked it so much i bought a bigger 6hp one as well and that is the very light to.
A mate has the Yamaha 2.5 and it is a great little motor but noticeably heavier Steve.

 

[aidancoughlan]

[ QUOTE ]
I would try and find a 2 stroke, probably 2nd hand. They are supposed to be lighter to haul around off the stern of a yacht and small tender.

[/ QUOTE ]

I went through the same thought process (ie. 2-stroke lighter), but as far as I recall , the suzuki stands out among 4-strokes in being around the same weight (only very marginally heavier) as a 2-stroke tohatsu. I tried very hard to find a new 2-stroke on the web without success, it seems last stocks are well gone. 4-stroke been recommended by a mate since (no messing about with mixing fuel etc), so I'm happy with the choice. Hope it fits the bill when I get to try it out.