New Outboard

[Jumpy]

I'm looking to replace our tired old 5 hp 2 stroke outboard with a new 6 HP 4 stroke (max for our dinghy). As far as I can tell there are only 4 major manufacturers: Yamaha, Tohatsu (AKA Evinrude, Murcury, Nissan), Suzuki and Honda (5HP). Any recommendations?

[ozskipper]

4 strokes are "heavy" compared to 2 strokes. If youre going to be lifting it on and off the tender regularly, it will be worth looking at the wieght specs, just as much as economy or power specs.

[David M]

For reliability I would first consider Honda and then Yamaha. As far as getting parts, Yamaha is pretty much everywhere. I have had bad luck with Suzuki's.

[Sumner]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

4 strokes are "heavy" compared to 2 strokes. If youre going to be lifting it on and off the tender regularly, it will be worth looking at the wieght specs, just as much as economy or power specs.

Yep, we went from a 4 stroke 5 HP Nissan on the dinghy to a 3 1/2 HP Tohatsu long shaft on the dinghy. The 3 1/2 is a lot easier to get on and off and the 5 HP wouldn't get the Zodiac up on plane with the two of us anyway. The reason for the long shaft is we can use it on the MacGregor as a backup power plant. It is 40# vs. about 60#.

We have also bought a new 9.8 extra long shaft for the Mac, and have had no problems with the older 5 HP or the two newer Tohatsu's and would buy them again,

Sum

[sv Winterlude]

Personally when our 8 hp 2001 2 stroke Tohatsu finally gives it up (not in the near future, hopefully as it's running perfectly) we'll probably cruise somewhere where we can buy another .... Bahamas for instance. While I'd rather have a 4 stroke for the fuel economy and even easier starting, the weight realism is killer -- we want to each be able to handle the outboard individually in case anything happens to the other and the 4 stroke is about 60% more weight.....

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

4 strokes are "heavy" compared to 2 strokes. If youre going to be lifting it on and off the tender regularly, it will be worth looking at the wieght specs, just as much as economy or power specs.

If you can't lift a 6hp Tohatsu, you have bigger problems.
I have a 6 on my 8' Livingston dink. It will plane to scare ya!

[marc2012]

If you buy a yamaha it is very dependable. You can depend on it being hard to start,not want to idle,& hard to work on.

[cfarrar]

If you can't lift a 6hp Tohatsu, you have bigger problems.

For some folks, the challenge is carrying the engine and the dink above the high tide line.

[Sumner]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

If you can't lift a 6hp Tohatsu, you have bigger problems..

Guess it depends on where you are lifting it from and to.



Getting it from that mount down and onto the dingy is not fun or easy with the Mac rolling back and forth one way and the dinghy the other. I'm 68 but in good shape and it is much easier with the 40# 3 1/2 HP and even that can be exciting at times.

Your results might be different,

Sum

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Sumner

Guess it depends on where you are lifting it from and to.



Getting it from that mount down and onto the dingy is not fun or easy with the Mac rolling back and forth one way and the dinghy the other. I'm 68 but in good shape and it is much easier with the 40# 3 1/2 HP and even that can be exciting at times.

Your results might be different,

Sum

I have a small crane if conditions warrant it. But if a 50lbs. 6hp is a hassle, then a 40lbs. 3 1/2hp is not much better.

[MarkSF]

While I wouldn't dispute that the 4 strokes are generally heavier than 2 strokes, it looks like the manufacturers are improving things. The 6hp Yamaha and tohatsu are both about 57 lbs, about the same as my 6hp 2 stroke.

[Sumner]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

I have a small crane if conditions warrant it. But if a 50lbs. 6hp is a hassle, then a 40lbs. 3 1/2hp is not much better.

It is actually 57 and 43 and yes the 15 lbs does make a difference in my situation. The Endeavour has an outboard lift so it isn't a big deal on that boat, but on the Mac it is for Ruth and I. I'm not saying it will be for anyone else, just saying in my case standing down in a dinghy and trying to reach up and lift a 57 lb. outboard that your wife is trying to balance on the coaming down into the dingy is not easy and 15 lbs. difference does make a difference. If I could of found a new long shaft that weighed less we would of gone for it,

Sum