Can you recommend outboart for tender?

[jasper]

I have just bought a 7.5ft rigid hull inflatable to use as a tender. Now, I am in the market for an outboard motor. It is down to three 2.5's
Honda
Suzuki
Yamaha
The Suzuki is $100 less than the Yahaha and $200 less than the Honda. All have 3 year warranty and local dealer/service.
Suzuki, is not predominant in the market here, Honda and Yamaha are.
I am tempted to get the Suzuki. Certainly the price is better than the others.
Are there any caveats I should be aware of with the Suzuki? How does it rate against the Honda and Yamaha?

[James V]

jasper - I have the 2 hp Honda and like it. Like all small engins it has its problems but it is Air Cooled so there is that much less of a problem. Takes a little getting use to.

[beene]

I have a Honda 7.5 4s '86 and still going strong. Starts every year first pull.

Unstoppable!

G

[Catigale]

British Seagull is my weapon of choice..you can fix them with a spanner and a tin opener

[Hinesy]

You will want to read PRACTICAL SAILOR...December 06...they like the Mercury 2.5 and the Honda BF2D. That issue also summarizes the best Gear of the Year. For Mac owners it is a useful and worthwhile publication. For those of us in the Northern Climates, it is a little preview of balmy summer days during the dregs of Winter! Good luck!

[jasper]

My Goodness, are they still making the Seagull? I can remember using one in the early 70's. I think it was only 1.5 HP. That little motor had a lot of push for it's size.
I wasn't aware that the Honda is air cooled. I must check it out on their web-site. My Honda 5HP which I have had for about 9 years has given great service. I used it on an Old Town 17ft sport boat. But is too big for my tender, so I have just sold it.
The Honda may be worth further consideration despite the extra $200.00 cost.

[Catigale]

A good used Seagull will run you about $200 on ebay...be careful who you buy from as always..

[David Mellon]

Be sure to look into the regulations for the waters you will frequent. Just because it is sold in your area does not mean it is legal. While my 2-stroke is legal here, the small 2-strokes are not in some local waters. Just be sure.

[Paul S]

Love our 1.5 Evenrude Mate outboard (1968!) runs great, insanely light, easy start/run. Best thing is was $50!! Can be had on eBay for cheap $.

But for new.. The honda 2 is hard to beat.

But after using a 2 stroke..love it for it's very light weight

Here is a newer one on ebay (dont know the seller or endorse him..just searched for it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0096235429

Paul

[NiceAft]

Jasper,

Is there a reason you want such a small HP motor?

I have a 9' Achilles inflatable with an inflatable hull and sole. I use a 6HP Mercury 4 stroke. It has served me well and when I need to, it takes off. There were times when I had to travel five miles over the water in the Achilles. That 6HP picked up and took me where I had to go The boat is rated at a 8HP, but the six is easy to pick up and carry.

Ray

[Catigale]

...Paul and I share the same spinning flywheel of death on our outboards...good incentive to keep that hair in a 'high and tight'

[Paul S]

wont win many races with a small hp motor...but it sure beats rowing.. plus with an antique motor..little chance it will get stolen.. just take the rope with you ..instant kill switch .. also should make someone steal your neighbor's honda or other more modern motor than deal with a small antique motor.

Paul

[David Mellon]

I should have mentioned, I personally use a MinnKota electric. Lighter than any gas motor, runs nearly silent, runs all day on a charge, no exhaust, no smell, no chance of spillage with a gel battery. Also no maintenance, easy stowage, some models are salt water ready and they are cheaper too by a lot. Another advantage is shallow draft, l can raise it so only the bottom half of the prop is in the water. I even have this idea to use one as a bow thruster on the Yam, they make them with remote controls and bow mounts for bass boats. Never gunna do it, but it's a fun idea.

[James V]

Niceaft - the reason for the 2hp was mainly decieded because the transum for the Portland Pudgy. It is not rated for over 2 hp and 35 pounds. I had talked to the owner of Portland Pudgy and he talked me out of the bigger motor. This dinghy does not plane.

If you dinghy does plane then the options are different but the 2 hp will push a 10' dinghy at 5 mph in almost all conditions. The other problem is the weight. The 2 hp long shaft Honda only weighs 28 pounds with a full tank of gas. I can put this on the motor mount with one arm from the dinghy. No hoist is needed. The 6 hp Merc is a little to heavy for me to put on the motor mount. A hoist might be needed.

[Frank C]

FWIW, I'd probably choose the water-cooled Suzi for quieter operation than the air-cooled Honda.

16th Nov 2006 ... Suzuki 2.5HP wins ‘Best in Test’

Suzuki has topped a new industry-wide survey on four-stroke outboard engines under 4HP. The new Suzuki 2.5HP 4-stroke beat Honda’s 2.3HP, Tohatsu’s 3.5HP and Yamaha’s 2.5HP to be declared the ‘Best in Test’ by the biggest UK Marine magazine, Practical Boat Owner.

“This was everyone’s favourite,” the PBO team announced.

As well as being the smoothest and quietest 4-stroke, it was also found to be extremely light, 13kg, weighing about the same as the Honda and Tohatsu 2-stroke engines. Suzuki 2.5HP was also commended for its, large carrying handle, which makes the engine easy to lift on or off the tender, and the metal prop that comes as standard.

Suzuki’s Marine’s Sales & Marketing Manager, Richard Whittaker said, “The result makes Suzuki’s four-stroke the ideal choice for small tenders. This will be especially good news for users next year when tougher EU regulations come into force banning new two-strokes for leisure use.”

David, I like the "concept" of a Minn-Kota plus an Optima battery, but add it up. Once you get a saltwater electric version plus a good battery ... I truly doubt they're any cheaper than the little 4-strokes (guessing about $700~? for the Suzi, at 30 lbs.). Besides that, the full electric package, a ~50# battery plus the motor, weighs twice as much. What am I missing?