Which outboard should i buy ?????????

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bigmig0

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I am in the market for a small outboard for my tender. I want a small 4 stroke between 2/3 hp. I know all the major manufacturers supply these but what are your experiences of them.
Weight / ease of stowage / ease of starting are all considerations.
A friend told me he has been disappointed with his honda 2.3 so i am not sure about them ( i previously had a honda 5hp 4 stroke and was also very disappointed).
Any suggestions or your own experiences would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Tom Butler, Mirajj, Atlanta Viking 8.5.
 
I have a Yamaha 2.5 - has forward/neutral gearbox and very very good. Has a useful sticker on it telling you which way it can be laid so fluids don't end up in the wrong places. The only real issue with four strokes. I would have a four stroke anytime rather than faff about with oil/petrol mixing.
 
I had a Seagull from new which was hopeless.
Now a Honda 2.3 which is brilliant as long as you don't let oil get in the carb.
Plugs can be diff to locate so carry several. Can be run for some time in air
which helps servicing/starting. However I'm aware some others have had
trouble with them, not really sure why.
Modern outboards are genrally much more reliable.
Agree with choice of four strokes.
 
Hi Bigmig,

yep, the out board was light, easy to get on and off the boat. Always started on the first pull (even after 6 months on non use), gave quite enough push (three adults in a hard dingy) and was significantly cheaper than most other options.
 
I have just changed a Honda 2.3 for a Suzuki 2.5, mainly because my wife refused to use the Honda because of the clutch (although that's why she wanted that engine in the first place!). The problems were that if you had slightly too much throttle set, the engine would start with the clutch engaged, and when manoevring, reducing the revs just a tad too much results in an instant loss od drive. Personally, I could live with both characteristics but it meant that I had to chauffeur her everywhere. With the Suzuki having a positive neutral/forward selection, she's happy. As a bonus, the Suzuki is much quieter and seems to need to work less hard to achive the same ends but that's all subjective.
 
I had a Honda and found it to be a sod. If you can't rely on a motor you may as well get rid.
I suppose the wonderful reputation the Hondas gained was when they were the only 4 stroke manufacturer. There are much better now.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have a YAMAHA 4HP 4STROKE, and I am very disappointed in it. The worst thing I have ever bought.

[/ QUOTE ]I'll second that - I had 2 of the MFs and it was the best thing I ever did getting rid of them and going back to the Tohatsu/Merc 3.5/3.3 2 strokes. Absolutley no problem mixing oil - bought a couple of these and one of these - makes mixing fuel and filling the outboard so easy.
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Re: Which outboard should i buy ?

see my separate post on a problem with my Honda 2.3 HP outboard.
Aside from this fuelling problem, I have found this motor very satisfactory. Very reliable and the lightest weight which IMHO is crucial. Air cooled so no water-pump nor cooling problems. Plenty of poke and simple to operate too.
Jim5099
 
Why 4 stroke? Just because the 2 strokes are increasingly rare new, there are loads of well loved second hand units about. The 2.2/3.5 Merc/Mariner/Tohatsu/Johnson unit is a great engine . Had to change the spark plug a couple of years ago mind!

Yoda
 
I had a Yamaha 4hp but I only had it for 3 weeks because I was very disappointed in the performance and with the fact it was SO heavy.

I sold it and bought a Suzuki 2.5 and I am thrilled to bits with it. I have had it 9 months now and still very happy. It is light, quiet and for a 2.5 it performs very well. I strongly recommend the Suzuki and if you want something a little bigger then consider the Suzuki 4hp too... all the same applies.
 
But the Suzuki 4hp weighs 55lbs compared to the Yamaha 4hp weighing 48lbs

can't argue about your performance quibbles. It may depend on the use you put it to. To push an 18ft yacht about the Yamaha was great. Never tried it on a tender.
 
That's not how I read [ QUOTE ]
and if you want something a little bigger then consider the Suzuki 4hp too... all the same applies

[/ QUOTE ]
 
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