Typical outboard for a dingy

[aluijten]

Yet another question.
If I were to do some sailing at the southcoast of England, making use of anchorages and moorings, what kind of outboard engine and dingy should I have for 2-3 persons.

All thoughts are appreciated.

Arno

 

[jhr]

I have a 2.3 m Bombard inflatable (cost about 500 Euro new) and elderly 2 hp outboard (donated by my father, for free) to get to and from my river mooring and for getting ashore from anchorages etc. in the Solent. Works fine with three adults, even against quite a strong ebb tide where I am moored, but if I ever have any spare money I will get a bigger (3 hp) outboard, to bring a little more urgency to some journeys!

 

[graham]

My xm 2.3 meter inflatable is fine with a 3.5 hp seagull. A 5 hp Yamaha felt a bit hairy also too heavy for lifting on and off.

The 2.3 meter dinghy is rated for 3 people but if you regularilly carry 3 I would get a 2.6 meter for a bit more space.

 

[Sans Bateau]

I have a 3.3 Johnson on a 2.6 mtr rubber duck with inflateable floor, a good combination with up to 4. On my own, it will plane, I'm a mobo'err!!!!!

 

[Stemar]

I think you'll find most of the 3-3.5hp 2 stroke outboards around are badge engineered and price loaded Tohatsus.

If you're thinking of buying new, you could do a lot worse. The next size up is significantly heavier and pricier, but you don't save much by going down a size.

I've had my Toh 3 1/2 for two years and it's been as good as gold, touch wood! It seems quite happy on the fuel I bought last August. It even pushes my Snapdragon 24 along well enough to be useful as emergency power in smooth water.

 

[aluijten]

Thanks guys, I now at least have two sizes to take into account 2,60 length for dinghy and 3-4 HP for engine.
How about 4-stoke vs 2-stroke. Wouldn't the first ones be more quiet and less polluting (if that's an argument at all, I think it should be)

Arno

 

[BarryH]

I use a Bombard Ax3 with a 4 stoke 4 hp mariner. Its fine with 2 adults and 2 kids. After running 2 stokes for years the 4 stoke is a joy to use. Frugal on juice quiet and smooth. The kids can have hours of fun on a couple of ltrs of petrol bobbing along the river.
If we use it from an anchorage to the beach then a cople of trips is the order of the day to ferry all the kit and rubbish that goes with kids.

 

[aluijten]

[ QUOTE ]
I use a Bombard Ax3 with a 4 stoke 4 hp mariner.

[/ QUOTE ]

How do you experience the weight of the engine? I think it's something like 25 kg. mounting that on the pullpit seems an hell of a job.

Arno

 

[[2068]]

Compared to a Merc 3.3 which weighs 13kg, and I am very pleased with so far (4 years).

dv.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I've used all sorts of outboards on dinghies over the years, the one I've kept is a Yam 2hp, very light, starts first time and seems to run on air! The weight mor lack of it makes it so easy to transfer between boats, also has enough power to go places. Bigger engines obviously go faster but the extra weight is the real bugbear.

 

[BarryH]

I don't find it overly heavy. Its kept on the bathing platform when not on the dinghy. No real probs putting it on the dinghy while its floating. The only thing you've got to remember when transporting it is that it can only be laid tiller side down or be vertical for oil reasons.

External 12ltr tank which lasts for weeks if not months. Very quiet and smmoth. I didn't go out looking for a 4 stroke it just came along at the right price. Right place right time sort of thing. A dealer was closing and had it in stock and was willing to let it go for 300 quid. I thought for a brand new engine with all the dealer backup for a year couldn't be bad. Actually went in looking for a small 2 stroke.

The mariner is basically a rebadged Yamaha. They've always had a good reputation for reliability so I bought it. Had it 3/4 years now and apart from the usual servicing, which isn't a lot, its run without fault.

 

[aluijten]

Thanks all,

Now I knowI have to buy a 2,6 metres dinghy with a 3-4 HP 4 strok engine. I'm now off to the gymnasium to work on my biceps...

Thanks again for the info,

Arno

 

[Sans Bateau]

I would be inclined to opt for 2 stroke, fewer moving parts to go wrong and lighter! I know that I will put fresh mixture in my Johnson at the start of the season and it always fires up, very reliable. But I do look after it, so it looks after me.

I have owned it now about 8 years. In our first year of ownership it had to push our 26 ft sailing boat for about 12 mls, it did it at about 3 - 4 knts! (engine failure and no wind)

 

[whisper]

Agree, if you want relative quietness and light weight it's got to be something like a 3.3/3.5 Tohatsu or one of its many clones. Of the small 2-3hp 4 strokes, the Honda 2.3 is light but noisy, the Yamaha 2.5 is quiet but at least as heavy as the more powerful 2 strokes. Just make sure also, you get one with a clutch so you can start it in neutral.

 

[squidge]

Buy 2 . a light 2/3 hp for pottering and the biggest the tender will take just for the hell of it.
My 8y old could water ski behind by my 3m rib and 10hp /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[whisper]

Rich, hooligan eh /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[jerryat]

Hi Longjohn,

Entirely agree. I've had my 2hp Mariner for about 3 years now and it's excellent on either the Avon or my grp dinghy used to whizz to/from my mooring. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Like you, the key thing for me (doing a lot of s/handing) is being able to hoist it aboard from the dinghy on my own. Anything much heavier and I'd be b**gred! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Cheers Jerry

 

[bigmart]

I find it strange to hear all those who complain about the Noisy Honda. I have had one for four years now & I find it powerful for its size a better starter than any 2 stroke I have owned. Being air cooled its not prone to all those cooling problems that kill small water cooled jobs. The fact that its 4 stroke means that you don't have to muck around mixing oil & it is as quiet as I need. You don't have to shout yourself hoarse to comunicate with the others in the Dinghy.

In short its the best small outboard I have used.

Martin /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[aluijten]

Quote:

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I find it strange to hear all those who complain about the Noisy Honda....
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I was looking at this outboard (Honda 2.3 thingy), but based on the reactions here I thought it would not be powerfull enough for a 2.6 metres dinghy. What are your experiences?

Arno

 

[whisper]

Yeah, I've got one as well but they are appreciably noisier than an equivalent 2 stroke in low to med rev bands. However, flat out, there's not much between them.