Which tiddly outboard?

Re: Tradition requires...

That was "Britain in the 1970's" for you. The slightly older ones, like mine, have a brass tank with two stub feet on the back for laying the motor down on, and much better chrome plating!

And we wonder how we destroyed our car and motorcycle industries!
 
Re: Tradition requires...

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

And what's more, they all work, every weekend and each summer holiday, year in, year out, even the Reid's windlass (1938) the Davey's riding light (1937) the Volvo MD2 (1968) and the Avon Redstart (1971). Indeed, it's a working rule; the newer the bit of kit, the less reliable (don't start me on yottitronics..)
 
Re: Tradition requires...

I just love these seagull debates - seems like the marmite advert! Nothing like a seagull to polarise opinions!

And I have one...and sometimes I think its brilliant, and other times it's hateful.

Some people even like the smell! It seems the odious clouds of smoke bring back fond memories of the past.
 
Tohatsu 3.5 without any doubt. Quieter and lighter and not sensitive to being laid down the wrong way like the Honda.... I always think the Honda sounds like a Seagull Century....
 
I have a 5hp Honda, which I realise is completely different to what you want, but I wouldn't have another. I can't rely on it, especially at the time you need it, approaching a mooring, leaving in neutral, picking up again. Not a smooth runner.
I take it Toyota don't make outboards under another guise? That would be the business.
 
Re: Tradition requires...

I've just bought a second hand Tohatsu 3.5. Weighs in at 13kg compared to 20kg for the Mariner/Yamaha 4hp.
It has neutral and fwd, great for starting alongside the yacht, waiting for the crew to step aboard, etc.
Its 2 stroke so it doesn't matter if you upend it whilst trying to get it off the transom in a chop.
Even I can offer it up in one hand by the leg to get it onto the yacht (we don't leave outboards on our moorings - you might lose the transom!)
It has an endearing sense of urgency when you open the throttle, unlike the 2hp Johnson we used to use.

I'd recommend it!
 
I also was a seagull fan until a few years ago when a 3 yr old new but never used 2HP honda was advertised cheap and I snapped it up. My car no longer smells of oil and petrol and I don't have the oily stains. It was always a B***** to start, even though it had the electronic ignition and a recoil start. After I got the Honda it languished in the shed for a couple of years then I completely stripped and rebuilt it, started instantly of course so I promptly sold it to a guy who didn't even want to see it running!
The Yamaha 2HP is the lightest but unfortunately no longer made. The latest 2.3HP Honda has the centifugal clutch which is excellent. But it does weigh 12.5kg and is noisy. Also make sure SHMBO can start it - mine cannot.
Another friend has just bought a new one incidently and it is difficult to start sometimes - he's going to take it back to the dealer.
 
I've had a Honda 2.3 for just over a year. I think it is lighter than all the 2 strokes except for the Suzi 2.2. Other plus points are :- centrifugal clutch; kill cord; no petrol & oil needs mixing; air cooled so no water passages to get coroded; 5 yr warranty, if I remember correctly.
Negatives are :- You can only lay it down on one side, so that oil doesn't get into cyl. head; noisier than anything else apart from Seagulls; in order to start from cold you need to use choke which means the dinghy will move initially - F & N gears are better from this point of view.
All in all I like it but if I was to replace it I would buy a 2.5/3.3hp 2 stroke if it had F & N gears, a kill cord and was no heavier than the Honda.
P.S. - there was a comparative test done recently in either MBM, PBO or Sailing Today.
 
er...
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11.8 kg!
 
Contrary to popular believe, Tohatsu 3.5 hp engines need do be laid down with the engine head above the propeller. I bought a brand new one earlier this summer which siezed due to water (Condensation?) getting into the cylinder. The whole engine needed rebuilding!

Rory
 
Re: Tradition requires...

I must admit the Tottyhatsoff sounds brilliant and gives much more power for the weight. Don't fancy a smelly noisy old Sammy Seagull. I know they are the Morris Minors of the boating world but I don't want a Morris Minor either! Hondas sound noisy and have starting problems. Which only leaves the Yams and Mariners. So I guess its swap for a Yambox if anyones got one or buy a new Tohasuwhatzit...
But if I have a nice shiny new one it'll get pinched..... Oh sod it where's the oars........
 
Quite right Woof! I fitted the 20 odd year old cowls from my old Mariner 2 to my new Yam 2 for precisely that reason. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Worked too, as when we were in the Med. two of friends suffered form having their baby o/b's nicked and we know of at least three more. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Still have the unused orriginals in the garage. For us, the Yam's been excellent. Genuinely first time starting, simple maintenance and very economical.

We think the Honda is noisy and not user (transport) friendly.

Cheers Jerry
 
Re: Tradition requires...

I agree. The seagull was (is, I think I still have it in my garage) rubbish.

Stick with the Honda 2/2.3. I've had one (the same one) since they first came out and it's been brilliant.

Might get round to changing the oil this winter: it has been six years since the last time. What's a spark-plug? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Tradition requires...

I'm very happy with my Mariner 2.5. Very straightforward, and light too. It can be laid down in any orientation (although I once forgot to close the vent on the tank...) I think the only disadvantage is that it is always in gear, and you have to swivel it round to reverse. But given the lightweight and reliability, it does all that I want. Is it true that the Mariner 3.3 is the same unit with a bigger carburettor bore?
 
Mariner 2....

I totally agree ... apart from the always in gear direct drive aspect - its a great little engine and always does a good job. As long as engine is tick over - its no hardship to hold dinghy with engine running ....

As to the 3.3 - I was told that the carb bore is restricted to 'crop' the output .. and you may have to change a fuel jet ....
 
Here's another vote for the Tohatsu 3.5 if you want something light. Far as I can see it's the same as the 2.5 Suzuki etc. so I assume they bore it out a bit more. I have one as a backup and it shoves my 13' Bombard RIB along happily at 5kts.
 
Mercury/mariner 2 and 3.x are both badge engineered Tohatsu's for which you pay the privilege. LIBS 2003 our 3.5 tohatsu was £339. That was atleast £50 cheaper than anything else.
 
Probably a very good idea to buy a new two stroke NOW. The regulations come into force soon (?) which will mean the end of new sales for 2 strokes. For my money I would always have a 2 stroke than a 4.
 
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