outboard for mac classic

[impinnacr]

I'm beginning the search for a new outboard. I'm tired of the old 1980's model evinrude 2 stroke 9.9 and would like something that has better "torque" and low rpm performance. Plus I'm sick of mixing gasoline.
My previous mac 26 back in 87 had a honda and I loved it. I'd like a few people to chime in on likes and dislikes. So far I've looked at the honda ($$$) and a Merc.($$)
Reliability is high on my list.
Chris

[Catigale]

Chris - pick your outboard by the proximity to the nearest service center with a good solid reputation in the local community - that is my sage advice..dont get hung with brand names in terms of performance.

[impinnacr]

you know, thats good advice. Everyone does have their favorite brands. There are devotees for every thing from car brands to electronics..
thanks.

[Sumner]

We have a Nissan 5 HP long shaft for the dingy, but got the long shaft so that it can be used on the Mac as a backup (did that once). We also have a Honda 8 HP long shaft that has been the main outboard and like it, but not the fact that it doesn't have electric start and Ruth couldn't start it. After I was injured at Lake Powell we sat for about 4 days in a remote side canyon until I got well enough to be able to start it. We decided then that for safety reasons alone we needed an outboard with elect. start.

This spring we bought a.....



....Tohatsu 9.8 HP with electric start. We could of bought an 8 HP with electric start, but only in a long shaft and we wanted and extra long shaft for a couple reason so bought the 9.8 with electric start and the extra long shaft.

You will find that most of the new 8-9 HP outboards won't pivot very far in the motor well of a Classic. The extra long shaft allowed me to mount it.......



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-25.html

... higher by 5 inches and still have as much prop in the water as a long shaft. This helped with two problems. One now the outboard will pivot all the way side to side and two now the........



....... controls are higher and closer to Ruth who runs the outboard most of the time.

We have been real happy with the Nissan 5 HP and since Tohatsu makes the Nissan and small Mercs and is cheaper if you don't care about whose name is on the outboard we went with the Tohatsu. We are hundreds of miles from a dealer, so bought on line at a considerable savings from....

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/?gclid=C ... awodXnzIsw

Delivery was prompt with no problems. I also ordered a second prop (7 pitch 4 blade) and mounting kit and an external filter at the same time and that was sent via free shipping. The extra long shaft comes with a 5 pitch 4 blade that has lots of thrust. I like to have a spare prop along, so thought I would also try the 7 pitch.

Good luck,

Sum

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[Catigale]

We have been real happy with the Nissan 5 HP and since Tohatsu makes the Nissan and small Mercs and is cheaper if you don't care about whose name is on the outboard we went with the Tohatsu.

...and if you do care, order the cheaper motor from Tohatsu, move to LA for a week and let the ozone eat the decal off, then buy the nice American sounding 'Nissan' decal and put it on...