Wanted - outboard

[ChattingLil]

it's a long shot, I know.

I am on the verge of splashing out on a brand new outboard, but before I do - thought it worth asking if anyone knows anyone who is selling one. Must be reliable - will never return to the misery of unreliable outboards that I can't start (hence, thinking about modern all-singing warranted new one). While I am on the topic, I am trying to convince Mr ChattingLil that we should get a new dinghy too (I want one with a floor of some sort), so maybe we are in the market for package - plesae keep your eye out and if you see any offers, do let me know. ta x

 

[ex-Gladys]

Nooooooo!!!!!!! If you are going to be going for a new outboard it will be a 4 stroke, and they are a different beast to the good old two stroke. Modern designs of 2 strokes (say 20yrs old and younger) are inherently reliable with a modicum of care (turning off fuel and running it out before stopping, keep the fuel fresh, and change the gear oil /sparkplug annually). A new 4 stroke is at least 50% heavier (3.5 Tohatsu 4stroke is 18.4kg, the old 3.5 2stroke is 12.5kg) and for hauling on and off a dinghy that is significant. Put a 4 stroke down the wrong way and it will throw up it's all. On a 2 stroke there are only 4 moving parts as against dozens in the 4 stroke....

 

[Otter]

I was going to list our Honda 2.3hp air cooled. Very light and being air cooled it's rather noisy. It's been spot on except one spring when I hadn't used it for six months and a bit of condensation in the carb meant it needed a few tugs. Otherwise it's been used by us for 2 seasons and is as good as gold, like you I'd never go for a cheap outboard again. We've changed tender and gained a family member and it's a bit too little for 5 people, a rigid tender and two dogs. Nice thing about the air cooled is no impeller to change or intake to get blocked etc - peanuts to service it and it weighs almost nothing. Half of the new price was what I was going to list it for.

 

[michael_w]

Anything but one of those Honda 2.3 hp POS. Brute to start, minute fuel tank means it needs refuelling every trip, the centrifugal clutch means crashing rather than boat handling, every nut has been tightened by a sumo wrestler. Noisy. Best thing was selling it to an unsuspecting Frenchman!

 

[sailorman]

Anything but one of those Honda 2.3 hp POS. Brute to start, minute fuel tank means it needs refuelling every trip, the centrifugal clutch means crashing rather than boat handling, every nut has been tightened by a sumo wrestler. Noisy. Best thing was selling it to an unsuspecting Frenchman!

The engine if fine in my lawnmower, started 2nd pull today

 

[CliveG]

Lisa

Thanks for starting this thread.
It has reminded me that I needed to get our Tohasu 3.5 out of storage and make sure it is willing to play.
Just done that and it was

 

[Otter]

Anything but one of those Honda 2.3 hp POS. Brute to start, minute fuel tank means it needs refuelling every trip, the centrifugal clutch means crashing rather than boat handling, every nut has been tightened by a sumo wrestler. Noisy. Best thing was selling it to an unsuspecting Frenchman!

How very ECF - not

I'll put it on eBay.

 

[sailorman]

How very ECF - not

I'll put it on eBay.

Try Gumtree

 

[Otter]

Ta, I'll give it a try.

 

[sailorman]

Ta, I'll give it a try.

you are centrally placed & i have always got the asking price with no costs from the fleabay / PP mob.
I had the 2.3, sold it pdq & bought a Tohatsu 3.3

 

[Burnham Bob]

Having replaced a seagull with a honda 2.3 I can't say that it seems any heavier than the two stroke. mine starts first pull and the only drawback is the centrifugal clutch as mentioned above. as soon as it fires throttle back to minimum. it's noisy as it's air cooled but runs for ages on a tankful.

i'm happy with mine although i know previous posters don't like them. this is a source of second hand hondas - when he can get them.
http://www.enginesdunn.co.uk/

he's based in southminster (near Burnham on Crouch).

 

[FullCircle]

Having replaced a seagull with a honda 2.3 I can't say that it seems any heavier than the two stroke. mine starts first pull and the only drawback is the centrifugal clutch as mentioned above. as soon as it fires throttle back to minimum. it's noisy as it's air cooled but runs for ages on a tankful.

i'm happy with mine although i know previous posters don't like them. this is a source of second hand hondas - when he can get them.
http://www.enginesdunn.co.uk/

he's based in southminster (near Burnham on Crouch).

Actually he has moved nearer to Asheldham....


On Hondas: mine was OK, but the very fine capillaries in the carb meant having to run it dry or risk it varnishing the carb, certainly over winter.
The boat crashing thing was a process of learning how to deal with it. It is noisy and it does vibrate, but had plenty of grunt for a wee thing.

I had Mr enginesdunn make me a hybrid Mercury 3.3 2-stroke which will make my Walker Bay8 go on the plane with a bit of persistence.

 

[nigelm]

I bought a Tohatsu off eBay , bloke said it had cooling issues , new impeller and a flush thru and it's fine , runs ok , a bit noisy but at least you can hear me coming and it's light enough to lift off dinghy one handed and put on pushpit rail ..