Outboard recommendations....

[Leigh]

OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.
The guy I'm buying the boat from has been using a 3HP thats about 20 years old and is "a bit touchy" to start....so he tells me. Time for a new engine, I think.
So far I'm looking at a Yamaha 2 stroke 3HP or a Mercury 3.3 2 stroke (the Merc has been recommended by one guy as a better quality unit????). Also been offered a Johnson 3.5 but I've been told by another dealer that those engines are being discontinued and aren't the most reliable anyway......
So, friends and neighbours......chime in with opinions on the above.....At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Yamaha.
Thanks

[Leigh]

OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.
The guy I'm buying the boat from has been using a 3HP thats about 20 years old and is "a bit touchy" to start....so he tells me. Time for a new engine, I think.
So far I'm looking at a Yamaha 2 stroke 3HP or a Mercury 3.3 2 stroke (the Merc has been recommended by one guy as a better quality unit????). Also been offered a Johnson 3.5 but I've been told by another dealer that those engines are being discontinued and aren't the most reliable anyway......
So, friends and neighbours......chime in with opinions on the above.....At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Yamaha.
Thanks

[Leigh]

OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.
The guy I'm buying the boat from has been using a 3HP thats about 20 years old and is "a bit touchy" to start....so he tells me. Time for a new engine, I think.
So far I'm looking at a Yamaha 2 stroke 3HP or a Mercury 3.3 2 stroke (the Merc has been recommended by one guy as a better quality unit????). Also been offered a Johnson 3.5 but I've been told by another dealer that those engines are being discontinued and aren't the most reliable anyway......
So, friends and neighbours......chime in with opinions on the above.....At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Yamaha.
Thanks

[Corrib]

Leigh, I would go with Yamaha. A lot of the hire boats here have small yamaha outboards and they seem to go for ever no matter what the treatment. I also have a couple of outboards both Yamaha never had a problem with them.

Kevin

[Corrib]

Leigh, I would go with Yamaha. A lot of the hire boats here have small yamaha outboards and they seem to go for ever no matter what the treatment. I also have a couple of outboards both Yamaha never had a problem with them.

Kevin

[Corrib]

Leigh, I would go with Yamaha. A lot of the hire boats here have small yamaha outboards and they seem to go for ever no matter what the treatment. I also have a couple of outboards both Yamaha never had a problem with them.

Kevin

[Paul Fitzgerald]

The Mercury/Mariner 3.3 is a rebadged Tohatsu 3.5. The 2.2 is the same engine with a restrictor plate in the carby inlet. Most of the racing J24's use this motor as it is light, pushes them OK and meets class regs. It is usually stored on the keel when racing.
Im a big fan of Tohatsu 5's, had a few over the years. They punch well above their weight, and mine have been bulletproof.
I also have a 3.3 which managed to push a dirty two ton Folkboat to hull speed (usual motor is the 5hp). Look for a model with a clutch, but you probably wont need reverse.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

The Mercury/Mariner 3.3 is a rebadged Tohatsu 3.5. The 2.2 is the same engine with a restrictor plate in the carby inlet. Most of the racing J24's use this motor as it is light, pushes them OK and meets class regs. It is usually stored on the keel when racing.
Im a big fan of Tohatsu 5's, had a few over the years. They punch well above their weight, and mine have been bulletproof.
I also have a 3.3 which managed to push a dirty two ton Folkboat to hull speed (usual motor is the 5hp). Look for a model with a clutch, but you probably wont need reverse.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

The Mercury/Mariner 3.3 is a rebadged Tohatsu 3.5. The 2.2 is the same engine with a restrictor plate in the carby inlet. Most of the racing J24's use this motor as it is light, pushes them OK and meets class regs. It is usually stored on the keel when racing.
Im a big fan of Tohatsu 5's, had a few over the years. They punch well above their weight, and mine have been bulletproof.
I also have a 3.3 which managed to push a dirty two ton Folkboat to hull speed (usual motor is the 5hp). Look for a model with a clutch, but you probably wont need reverse.

[Gary E]

Originally posted by Leigh:
OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.

The smallest HP and the Lightest weight motor will make your lugging it around easy. No matter how small, it's still powerfull enuf for a inflatable.

I used a 2 1/2 HP Johnson on a 8 ft pram, it had no clutch or reverse and it's not gona be missed.

[Gary E]

Originally posted by Leigh:
OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.

The smallest HP and the Lightest weight motor will make your lugging it around easy. No matter how small, it's still powerfull enuf for a inflatable.

I used a 2 1/2 HP Johnson on a 8 ft pram, it had no clutch or reverse and it's not gona be missed.

[Gary E]

Originally posted by Leigh:
OK....looking at a small portable outboard for getting the smallish (8') flat bottom inflatable from beach to mooring.

The smallest HP and the Lightest weight motor will make your lugging it around easy. No matter how small, it's still powerfull enuf for a inflatable.

I used a 2 1/2 HP Johnson on a 8 ft pram, it had no clutch or reverse and it's not gona be missed.

[David Gilroy]

My 2HP Honda 4-stroke pushes my Penobscot 17 very well. Always starts. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[David Gilroy]

My 2HP Honda 4-stroke pushes my Penobscot 17 very well. Always starts. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[David Gilroy]

My 2HP Honda 4-stroke pushes my Penobscot 17 very well. Always starts. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Zane Lewis]

Well I'll push for the 3.3 with clutch and the 360 mount for reverse. We have one on an 8' RIB and it will do 10 knts (GPS) 1 up but won't plane 2 up. That slightly larger prop and bigger reduction gear box gives a lot more push when you need it. As stated before the 3.3's are often just 2.2's that are alloweed to rev higher to develop more power. Think about pushing home into 30 kts and a slopy sea. You will get wet but will a 2.2 push an inflatible into this?. Anyway the only penalty to go from a 2.2 to 3.3 is cost not weight

[Zane Lewis]

Well I'll push for the 3.3 with clutch and the 360 mount for reverse. We have one on an 8' RIB and it will do 10 knts (GPS) 1 up but won't plane 2 up. That slightly larger prop and bigger reduction gear box gives a lot more push when you need it. As stated before the 3.3's are often just 2.2's that are alloweed to rev higher to develop more power. Think about pushing home into 30 kts and a slopy sea. You will get wet but will a 2.2 push an inflatible into this?. Anyway the only penalty to go from a 2.2 to 3.3 is cost not weight

[Zane Lewis]

Well I'll push for the 3.3 with clutch and the 360 mount for reverse. We have one on an 8' RIB and it will do 10 knts (GPS) 1 up but won't plane 2 up. That slightly larger prop and bigger reduction gear box gives a lot more push when you need it. As stated before the 3.3's are often just 2.2's that are alloweed to rev higher to develop more power. Think about pushing home into 30 kts and a slopy sea. You will get wet but will a 2.2 push an inflatible into this?. Anyway the only penalty to go from a 2.2 to 3.3 is cost not weight

[John Hastie]

Good old Evinrude Lightwin 3.

[John Hastie]

Good old Evinrude Lightwin 3.

[John Hastie]

Good old Evinrude Lightwin 3.

[High C]

What Zane and Paul said. i have the nissan version of this same (Tohatsu) motor, a 3.5 hp with forward and neutral.

It's a fine machine, light, starts easily, and has never faltered.

[High C]

What Zane and Paul said. i have the nissan version of this same (Tohatsu) motor, a 3.5 hp with forward and neutral.

It's a fine machine, light, starts easily, and has never faltered.

[High C]

What Zane and Paul said. i have the nissan version of this same (Tohatsu) motor, a 3.5 hp with forward and neutral.

It's a fine machine, light, starts easily, and has never faltered.

[sbsbw]

Get a four Stroke, you won't regret it

[sbsbw]

Get a four Stroke, you won't regret it

[sbsbw]

Get a four Stroke, you won't regret it

[paladin]

SACRILEGE.....only a SEAGULL will do.....

[paladin]

SACRILEGE.....only a SEAGULL will do.....

[paladin]

SACRILEGE.....only a SEAGULL will do.....

[Mike Vogdes]

I knew the Seagull would sneak in this thread sooner or later... faster than a pregnant turtle more powerfull than a man with two broken oars, they will definetly hear you comin no doubt about it...

I vote for a Honda followed close second by the Yamaha.. 4 stroke for sure.

[Mike Vogdes]

I knew the Seagull would sneak in this thread sooner or later... faster than a pregnant turtle more powerfull than a man with two broken oars, they will definetly hear you comin no doubt about it...

I vote for a Honda followed close second by the Yamaha.. 4 stroke for sure.

[Mike Vogdes]

I knew the Seagull would sneak in this thread sooner or later... faster than a pregnant turtle more powerfull than a man with two broken oars, they will definetly hear you comin no doubt about it...

I vote for a Honda followed close second by the Yamaha.. 4 stroke for sure.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Four strokes are just peachy when they are new. But they have not been around long enough for all to hear about what it takes to rehab one.
All that jiggery-pokery that goes on in a 4-stroke means that there are an aweful lot of pieces that can wear and break and cost BIG bucks to replace.
One of the reasons that there are still Johnnyrudes from the '50's and '60's still doing sterling service is that they are 2-STROKES. A bore job, a piston and ring set to match, a gasket set and you've just done an overhaul.
The most common failing that ruins an outboard is waterpump failure and overheating. Do that on a 4-stoke and the hardened steel valve seats may fall out, bend valves, break pistons, yadda, yadda , yadda.
To all you 4-stroke acholytes, "gather ye rosebuds while ye may", your first 4-stroke overhaul may give you a coronary.
Charlie

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Four strokes are just peachy when they are new. But they have not been around long enough for all to hear about what it takes to rehab one.
All that jiggery-pokery that goes on in a 4-stroke means that there are an aweful lot of pieces that can wear and break and cost BIG bucks to replace.
One of the reasons that there are still Johnnyrudes from the '50's and '60's still doing sterling service is that they are 2-STROKES. A bore job, a piston and ring set to match, a gasket set and you've just done an overhaul.
The most common failing that ruins an outboard is waterpump failure and overheating. Do that on a 4-stoke and the hardened steel valve seats may fall out, bend valves, break pistons, yadda, yadda , yadda.
To all you 4-stroke acholytes, "gather ye rosebuds while ye may", your first 4-stroke overhaul may give you a coronary.
Charlie

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Four strokes are just peachy when they are new. But they have not been around long enough for all to hear about what it takes to rehab one.
All that jiggery-pokery that goes on in a 4-stroke means that there are an aweful lot of pieces that can wear and break and cost BIG bucks to replace.
One of the reasons that there are still Johnnyrudes from the '50's and '60's still doing sterling service is that they are 2-STROKES. A bore job, a piston and ring set to match, a gasket set and you've just done an overhaul.
The most common failing that ruins an outboard is waterpump failure and overheating. Do that on a 4-stoke and the hardened steel valve seats may fall out, bend valves, break pistons, yadda, yadda , yadda.
To all you 4-stroke acholytes, "gather ye rosebuds while ye may", your first 4-stroke overhaul may give you a coronary.
Charlie

[Mike Vogdes]

Yes it sure is hard to argue that its a cheap rebuilt, and 2 strokes are reliable if properly maintained. Its a shame someone could'nt come up with a device to get the emissions under control. Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

[Mike Vogdes]

Yes it sure is hard to argue that its a cheap rebuilt, and 2 strokes are reliable if properly maintained. Its a shame someone could'nt come up with a device to get the emissions under control. Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

[Mike Vogdes]

Yes it sure is hard to argue that its a cheap rebuilt, and 2 strokes are reliable if properly maintained. Its a shame someone could'nt come up with a device to get the emissions under control. Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Mike Vogdes:
...Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

Do you have a specific date when that will happen?

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Mike Vogdes:
...Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

Do you have a specific date when that will happen?

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Mike Vogdes:
...Theres gonna be a pretty big scrap pile of 2 strokes when they are fazed out.

Do you have a specific date when that will happen?

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Stiletto]

On very small motors 2stroke is an advantage in that they are pretty tolerant of the way they are stored/carried. My fourstroke yamaha had to be laid the proper way for transport. One more thing to worry about.

[Stiletto]

On very small motors 2stroke is an advantage in that they are pretty tolerant of the way they are stored/carried. My fourstroke yamaha had to be laid the proper way for transport. One more thing to worry about.

[Stiletto]

On very small motors 2stroke is an advantage in that they are pretty tolerant of the way they are stored/carried. My fourstroke yamaha had to be laid the proper way for transport. One more thing to worry about.

[paladin]

aw c'mon Mike.....us ald pharts manage to keep our stuff runnin' fer ever....canna afford new stuff all the time.

[paladin]

aw c'mon Mike.....us ald pharts manage to keep our stuff runnin' fer ever....canna afford new stuff all the time.

[paladin]

aw c'mon Mike.....us ald pharts manage to keep our stuff runnin' fer ever....canna afford new stuff all the time.

[Mike Vogdes]

In 2006 the EPA requires that all manufactures have cleaner burning engines, fuel injected basicly, maybe there will be a big surge in after market fuel injection kits..
As far as a ban, I don't know. But the clock will start ticking on Jan 2 and I'm sure there will be a spot on your registration for the make and year of your outboard. Whats the penalty? fee maybe??

[Mike Vogdes]

In 2006 the EPA requires that all manufactures have cleaner burning engines, fuel injected basicly, maybe there will be a big surge in after market fuel injection kits..
As far as a ban, I don't know. But the clock will start ticking on Jan 2 and I'm sure there will be a spot on your registration for the make and year of your outboard. Whats the penalty? fee maybe??