Twin cylinder v single cylinder.

[munster1967]

I think these are all over 20 years old?
So many will be dead, many will be corroded messes, faulty etc.
If you find a good outboard at a good price and it meets your needs, then I wouldn't worry whether it's a twin or a single.


People will tell you '2.5 HP is the same whether it's twin, single, two stroke or four', but it's not.
Some engines have more torque/power at lower revs. My Yamaha 2HP needs to be revving to deliver much thrust, on a heavy boat it bogs down and can't rev enough to develop much power. A 2.5HP 4 stroke I have was better from this point of view.
The prop also makes a difference, you can get alternative pitch props for some outboards.
If you're finding you just don't have enough power, consider a change of prop, or look for a real increase like a 5HP.


IIRC those Johnson twins were quite quiet, compared to say my Yamaha 2?

Thank you for your reply. Yes. I have heard the 2.5 HP Yamaha is the best of the current 2.5 HPs performance wise.

 

[andsarkit]

I have a Mariner 3.3 2T and an old Johnson 4HP twin. There is not much difference in weight and the Johnson is slightly more powerful and smoother. The Johnson is very well made and has the advantage of an external or internal tank. It is a pity they are no longer made but the Mariner has never given any trouble either.

 

[Momac]

Okay its 3hp but that's very close to 2.5hp. And its twin cylinder 2 stroke. But very old.

 

[yotter]

looks like it has got its nickers in a twist

 

[yotter]

I owned one of these and found it to be excellent. Good starter, smooth and powerful. Unfortunately it was stolen from our dinghy when we were having a meal in a pub at Menai Bridge. I reported its theft to the police, who could not have been less interested.

I recall similar and explained to the police that I was only disturbing them from their doughnuts to get a crime reference number for my insurance claim

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I have a Mariner 3.3 2T and an old Johnson 4HP twin. There is not much difference in weight and the Johnson is slightly more powerful and smoother. The Johnson is very well made and has the advantage of an external or internal tank. It is a pity they are no longer made but the Mariner has never given any trouble either.

I also have a Johnson 4hp 2T twin that is considerably lighter that my Mariner 4hp 4T which I would never consider using on a hard or soft dinghy at 26 kilos.

It's very powerful, but thirsty and noisy. So far , parts have been ok and I intend hanging onto it.

 

[Hot Property]

The Tohatsu 3.5 hp was made in the hundreds of thousands and at 13.5 kg is powerful and light.

You can pick them up for around £2-300.

Simple and rugged....

 

[munster1967]

The Tohatsu 3.5 hp was made in the hundreds of thousands and at 13.5 kg is powerful and light.

You can pick them up for around £2-300.

Simple and rugged....

Perfect sounds about the right solution in every way.

 

[Refueler]

The Tohatsu 3.5 hp was made in the hundreds of thousands and at 13.5 kg is powerful and light.

You can pick them up for around £2-300.

Simple and rugged....

It was also the basis of many other Brand label motors ...

 

[vyv_cox]

The Tohatsu 3.5 hp was made in the hundreds of thousands and at 13.5 kg is powerful and light.

You can pick them up for around £2-300.

Simple and rugged....

That's what I have owned since 2004. Has been very reliable apart from the usual 2-stroke reluctance to start on occasion. Pics of it in our mobile flushing tank here Outboard motor fresh water flush

We bought it at Mainbrayce in Alderney, where Tohatsu 2-strokes are still sold.

 

[madabouttheboat]

It was certainly lighter than a single cylinder 4-stroke. I don't recall it being much heavier than a single cylinder 2-stroke but I was younger and fitter then . But this was a long time ago, are there any in production now?

Those Johnson 2.5/3.0hp twin cylinder outboards were 15kg in standard shaft form. The single cylinder version was 13.5kg so there really wasn't much in it. Best power to weight in this market came from the Tohatsu/Mercury/Mariner 3.3/3.5 single cylinder 2 stroke at 12.5kg. Great motors if you can find a good one, but they are getting on a bit now. Best you can buy new now, for weight at least, is the 13.5kg Suzuki 2.5 four stroke. Unless you live outside the EU* in which case you may still be able to buy the 2 stroke Tohatsu 3.3. *Hang on a minute.......