Which outboard ?

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Paddingtonbear

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In order to get afloat by next spring I have bought a 2.8m Hypalon inflatable for use as a tender. I am now looking for a second hand outboard and it appears the choice is as follow

2.3 Air cooled Honda
2.3 watercooled Suzuki
2.6 Yamaha clone

or a possibility

Brand new Parsun 2.6 which got a good review in PBO, for a similar sum to the Honda.

Comments please
 
I would have thought that with that size of tender you’d want a minimum of 3.5, maybe even a 4. Many of the 2.5 models have a 3.5 model too made from the same block so they don’t weigh much, if any more. Also give some thought as to whether you want reverse as well and forward gear, as many at the small end models don’t. And don't forget Tohatsu, very good reliable engines.
A 2-stroke is fine for just short hops but when you’re out enjoying yourself on longer trips, they can get a little smelly and noisy. Plus a newer 4-stroke will use about half the fuel of an older 2-stroke.
 
It depends on your set up. If you can leave the OB attached to the tender when being carried then get a more powerful one as weight is less of a consideration. If you have to haul it around the boat and place it on the tender each time, then weight is everything. We have a 3.5hp Merc 4st only weighs about 20kg with a bit of fuel in but it is as awkward as @!@? to get around the boat with but just about manageable for me - SWMBO can't lift it. If I bought again it would be a 2.5 or 3.5 - 2 st - as light as possible.
 
if you wish to go slow the engines you stated will push you in the water.you will not get on the plane so i would suggest at least a 5hp and 1 adult and a couple of small children could get up on the plane .would also overcome most tidal flow as well.
 
as just an OB to push along a tender would say that your list is a sensible one,
2.3 Air cooled Honda
2.3 watercooled Suzuki
2.6 Yamaha clone
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I would advise against the air cooled Honda..... I know... what am I saying!!! but with experience of an air cooled 2.3hp.... its a horrid little engine, actually Honda get these made in india and somehow that fact just shines out the 2.3....:(
I swapped mine for an older Honda 2hp water cooled 4stroke, that is lovely...I think the suzuki is a 2.5hp rather than 2.3hp and is a good engine, reliable and simlple and light. But IMHO bests of the bunch is a real Yamaha 2.5hp, not a CLONE..... the proper Yamaha is a lovely little outboard, it is silky smooth, has neutral and forward gears and its just a peach, that would get my vote.... after helping a chap try and start a Parson 2.5? which supposedly was a Yamie copy, all I would say its was a pile or carp... it was 8 month old and there was not a hope in getting it started... OB are funny things, think you don't need to spend much on one as you will only use it 1 hour maximum a year and you may end up spending more time cursing the thing because it doesn't start when you need it....

... if you can find one a second hand little water cooled 4st Honda 2hp OB will never let you down an shouldn't set you back the earth...
 
Paddingtonbear said:
In order to get afloat by next spring I have bought a 2.8m Hypalon inflatable for use as a tender. I am now looking for a second hand outboard and it appears the choice is as follow

2.3 Air cooled Honda
2.3 watercooled Suzuki
2.6 Yamaha clone

or a possibility

Brand new Parsun 2.6 which got a good review in PBO, for a similar sum to the Honda.

Comments please
Click to expand...
Thats a heavy tender;I dont think 3.5hp will be enough, so you may as well go for the largest power in the next block size..5 or 6.
 
As already said, I'm in total agreement that you need a larger unit, I think you'll regret a 2.5. But note that some of the larger block 4-6 ranges don’t have integral tanks. I think Suzuki and Mariner do but not Yamaha, it's something you'll have to check before buying. Have you also seen the Hidea brand? Although I have no experience, they seem ok from what I've read so far and very cheap - but they are Chinese! Anyone had any experience with them as I’m considering one?
Also, don’t worry about the weight too much, you can get a small trolley to carry the engine about on. The 4, 5 & 6 Suzuki for instance only weighs 25kg, has a 1.4l integral tank but can take an external hook-up too. But I do know the Hidea 5 only weights in at 22kg.
 
For normal tender duties, just getting to the beach or quay, I much prefer the 2 stroke outboards. A 3.3/3.5 wouldn't get your tender on the plane, but it would move it along quite nicely, it's half the weight of a 4 hp 4 stroke, and you don't have to worry about which side you lay it on. Unfortunately you can't buy them new anymore, but they're not difficult to find used.
 
gjgm said:
Thats a heavy tender;I dont think 3.5hp will be enough, so you may as well go for the largest power in the next block size..5 or 6.
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there does seem a load of folk that seem intent on getting the biggest possible OB for a tender that most people just potter about in....why on earth do you need your tender to get up on the plane.....????. our 2hp honda OB pushed our 2.7m tender along absolutely fine, also a doddle to lift and carry weighing in around 12kg... start getting to 6hp and the lightest 4st you will find will be a single cylinder at around 27kg and that starts to be a hefty lump to negotiate out of a cockpit locker and down onto a dinghy.....and I'm sorry but a trolley will not be any help with that job!....... but each to their own...

Mind you, if I had davits or a big bathing platform & crane then I would enjoy a nice little rib with a 15hp on the back...
 
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I'd avoid Chinese junk at all cost, so that rules out Parsun and Hidea. Try a Google search about them, i've yet to read anything any good about either.

Firefly is right about the weight issue, our last tender engine was a 6hp Mercury, brand new. Same engine as the 6hp Mariner or 6hp Tohatsu, just different stickers and a separate fuel tank. The 4/5/6hp Mercury/Mariner/Tohatsu models are all the exact same engine, different stickers for each "brand" and different cards for each hp. 27kg doesn't sound much, but humping it across the swim platform on even a flat calm day was no fun.

Had to smile at Sheppys "only weighs 25kg comment". That's a sack of spuds, so try taking a sack with you next time and see how easy they are to hump around the boat. Try stepping over the transom and putting them in a dinghy, not as easy as it sounds. Be very risky in a bit of lumpy weather.

On the other hand, if the engine stays on the tender most of the time, or the tender has to make a long run to the boat, the extra horses would be very handy.
 
Firefly625 said:
there does seem a load of folk that seem intent on getting the biggest possible OB for a tender that most people just potter about in....why on earth do you need your tender to get up on the plane.....????. ...
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Depends where you use the tender. Anywhere with a decent current and you will be going backwards with a tiny o/board . I see OP chose a very heavy tender, so I assume a few extra kg for a more powerful o/b isnt going to be an issue.
Or..
I cant understand why some folk want a feeble little o/b when they could have something with some grunt ;)
 
gjgm said:
Depends where you use the tender. Anywhere with a decent current and you will be going backwards with a tiny o/board . I see OP chose a very heavy tender, so I assume a few extra kg for a more powerful o/b isnt going to be an issue.
Or..
I cant understand why some folk want a feeble little o/b when they could have something with some grunt ;)
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Well perhaps I'm the exception to the rule, but our 2hp Honda OB pushes our tender along fine, even against the tide.... never gone backwards in my life, otherwise I would not recommend. Something with grunt increases weight hugely... Perhaps unusually I carry 2 outboards on our boat, a 6hp Suzuki and a 2hp Honda. This year we have used the tender quite a bit, and I have not fitted the suzuki once... why, because its a PITA to get out the cockpit locker and get onto the tender...

(For those wondering why I have the 6hp, its our emergency auxiliary)
 
gjgm said:
Depends where you use the tender. Anywhere with a decent current and you will be going backwards with a tiny o/board . I see OP chose a very heavy tender, so I assume a few extra kg for a more powerful o/b isnt going to be an issue.
Or..
I cant understand why some folk want a feeble little o/b when they could have something with some grunt ;)
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Sorry I 100% disagree with that statement as I use the honda 2.3 on shetland 570's in sea lochs and get 4-5 mph out of it and they come in around 750kg-900kg depending on main engine and people on board.

the original poster said tender and even for a tender its a small one and I doubt would way more than twice a honwave of the the same size and that means less than 68kg (honwave being 34kg at 2.7m long) so there is no problem with power!

as for more grunt. well that means more weight in the engine (honda is only 12.3kg's and is the lightest in the world for its output) which is a real pain for most people, more money to buy, more money to service etc.

if the original OP would also like to use his tender as a mini speed boat then yes get the biggest outboard you can otherwise firefly is right in my opinion
 
clydeoutboardservices said:
Sorry I 100% disagree with that statement as I use the honda 2.3 on shetland 570's in sea lochs and get 4-5 mph out of it and they come in around 750kg-900kg depending on main engine and people on board.

the original poster said tender and even for a tender its a small one and I doubt would way more than twice a honwave of the the same size and that means less than 68kg (honwave being 34kg at 2.7m long) so there is no problem with power!

as for more grunt. well that means more weight in the engine (honda is only 12.3kg's and is the lightest in the world for its output) which is a real pain for most people, more money to buy, more money to service etc.

if the original OP would also like to use his tender as a mini speed boat then yes get the biggest outboard you can otherwise firefly is right in my opinion
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Size is still relevant to where it's being used. I had a 4hp on a 3.1 Zodiac airdeck and it almost stood still, head tide on the river Nene. Had it been a big spring, i'd have gone backwards. Had to swap the engine for a 6hp, which was the same weight.

If you get 4-5 mph in a sea loch, you'll also be going backwards against a head on Spring tide in many areas. Certainly would around here where the tide often does 6 knots. (We do knots at sea, not MPH :p)

Then again, if you don't need the power, why hump the weight around.
 
Firefly625 said:
there does seem a load of folk that seem intent on getting the biggest possible OB for a tender that most people just potter about in....why on earth do you need your tender to get up on the plane.....????. our 2hp honda OB pushed our 2.7m tender along absolutely fine, also a doddle to lift and carry weighing in around 12kg... start getting to 6hp and the lightest 4st you will find will be a single cylinder at around 27kg and that starts to be a hefty lump to negotiate out of a cockpit locker and down onto a dinghy.....and I'm sorry but a trolley will not be any help with that job!....... but each to their own...

Mind you, if I had davits or a big bathing platform & crane then I would enjoy a nice little rib with a 15hp on the back...
Click to expand...

Seconded! :)
 
PaulGooch said:
Size is still relevant to where it's being used. I had a 4hp on a 3.1 Zodiac airdeck and it almost stood still, head tide on the river Nene. Had it been a big spring, i'd have gone backwards. Had to swap the engine for a 6hp, which was the same weight.

If you get 4-5 mph in a sea loch, you'll also be going backwards against a head on Spring tide in many areas. Certainly would around here where the tide often does 6 knots. (We do knots at sea, not MPH :p)

Then again, if you don't need the power, why hump the weight around.
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er when did the original poster say he was using it in an area with a strong current. :confused: If he had my answer would have reflected that but as there is no mention of strong currents and tides my advice still stands.

As for knots / mph that was just a pathetic comment. This is a forum and last time I looked we are not asked to use nautical terms for everything or will you throw your toys out of your pram if I said it was 20 feet deep as well! Also not everyone knows have fast 4 knots is but everyone knows how fast 4 mph is and hence it makes it easier for people who dont know to understand the post.

back to the OP. I know this is a long shot but if you are in Scotland / North of England and can get to the Scottish boat show at inverkip marina on Friday Saturday or Sunday then we will have similar tenders on the water that you could try with various engine sizes.
 
PaulGooch said:
If you get 4-5 mph in a sea loch, you'll also be going backwards against a head on Spring tide in many areas. Certainly would around here where the tide often does 6 knots. (We do knots at sea, not MPH :p)
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Yebbut, my main boat would also be going backwards in such conditions :). Not sure I need the tender to be faster than the mother ship.

Pete
 
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