MacGregorSailors.com

I'm in the market for a used or maybe new outboard. I've had a 2 stroke
6hp Johnson for a long time and it's showing its age. I'm getting tired
of taking it to the shop and want something that is easy to start,
quiet, electric start, maybe with an alternator. What's the smallest
outboard that has electric start?

Thanks, Glenn

Glenn - an electric start on an outboard that small is really overkill....the trick here is to keep fuel fresh and carbs clean to make it a 'one pull starter'

Maybe look into a little heavier four stroke motor - the carbs tend to gum up less..they will be 'harder' to start in terms of pull force, but I can pull start my 50 HP so I dont think that is much of an issue.

IN the Mercury line - you need to go to 9.9 HP to get electric start, and the alternator is a 6 amp model on that motor, for frame of reference.

Hi Glen...I had a 26S with an 8 HP Merc., prior to our 26X. The dependability on the 8 HP Merc. was great. I probably wouldve gone to a 9.9 HP with an alternator if the 8 HP ever failed. But, that 8 HP Merc. was a 1992, and it ran exceptionally well with no problems at all. I made sure the gas was always fresh, and the engine was always stored off the boat, and in a shop. Having a reliable engine is too important, in my opinion.

Thanks, all. for the ideas. At the risk
of starting a fight on a par with Ford vs. Chevy, or Honda vs. Toyota,
what do you all think of Tohatsu? So far in my research, it appears to
be the best value, e.g. 8hp, 4 stroke, long shaft, electric start, =
charging system, $1730. online (tohatsuoutboards.com).

Glenn

Glenn,
Tohatsu/Nissan is very dependable and the one you are thinking of would be perfect for a 26S....the alternator is a must if you spend time cruising...is is nice to charge the batts off of the motor...it would be a good, durable choice. Randy

The are widely regarded as bulletproof AFAIK

The only other issue I would research is how close is a dealer if you need service - nice if someone is within a half day drive or so...

Pleae check the shipping charges. The gasoline left in the lines after the factory checks the motors makes them hazardous shipping. West Marine does not ship outboards.

Another issue I am grappling with is the weight and the resulting trailer sway that it causes. Even with my old Johnson 6, I have taken to carrying it in the car and all boat weight moved forward so my trailer doesn't sway. Some guys on the lists have moved their axle back about a foot and that has reportedly solved the problem. So...if I get a new and heavier outboard, I'm also looking at fixing the trailer. I do seem to remember somone welding on an outboard bracket onto the trailer tongue, but that would require me wrestling the motor back and forth...and I'm not getting any younger or stronger.

Glenn

Trailed my '88D with nissan 8 2 stroke on stern many years without sway problem, but did pressurize rear van tires and trailer tires at near TIRE maker's max psi limit posted on tire sidewalls in aid of stiffening tire sidewalls and located movable boat gear fwd in cabin in aid of tongue weight, all to minimize sway.
Ron

Making sure you have enough tongue weight is important to minimize sway.
Some folks add a spare tire mount near the front to add some weight.
I found that putting a couple heavy tool boxes in the bow of the boat was sufficient on my X.

Also , some tow vehicles are just more prone to sway than others. Soft, suspensions, high hitch heights, are not good in my opinion.