Small and light outboard

[simonpickard]

Hello all,

Just looking for ideas for a small and light outboard. I was going to go electric but they seem to get a hammering whenever I mention them so just wondering what's out there in terms of a small, light, reliable outboard?

Is propane the way forward these days?

We'll be getting a Zodiac Cadet 260 as the inflatable so need to be able to drive this. Not bothered about speed. We don't have much storage so I'm looking for something small and lightweight if possible.

Regards,
Simon

[lockie]

Don't know what power you're after, but my tiny little Yamaha 2hp 2 stroke is great, and I believe the lightest on the market at about 9kg.

[simonpickard]

9kg?! Amazing, what model is that?

[Stu Jackson]

Have you considered going to an online outboard website and poking around? Then you can ask whether one brand may be better than others.

[RainDog]

We have the Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury 3.5 HP. I find it easy to move from the rail to the dinghy by myself. They are cheap, light, and reliable. I have not had another in this size range to compare it to.

[teapot]

If you fancy a four stroke I've always liked the honda 2.3 hp. It's air cooled so no problem with salting up like a lot of other small motors if you don't flush them with freshwater. It's got a centrifugal clutch which can take a little getting used to but generally it's quite a good little motor and no more mixing oil in with the fuel. I think it weighs about 13kg.

[lonesoldier0408]

I personally like the idea of electric with sail option. I've been told electric trolling can last 4 hours. Slip the dock lines and slip then set sail... No carburetor, to gum up. No ethanol damaged fuel system or water in fuel. No ticked off neighbors due to firing up the dinghy too early... With solar panel technology advancing everyday and a sail, I see no reason power would ever be a major issue...

[northwestsailor]

I have the Honda 2.3hp. As mentioned by teapot above the centrifugal clutch does get some getting used to. You have to learn exactly where it is on the throttle for starting and sounds like when heading towards the dock or your boat. Otherwise it can make for a few interesting moments. After a few days of messing around you will get used to it.

I love the fact that it is air cooled and no more oil mixing.

[simonpickard]

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to go with electric. And I still might. There's so many positives. Easy to store, no mess, no petrol onboard. The only two issues I can come up with are:

1. Looks fancy, might get stolen quicker?
2. A few people say the Torqeedo's aren't that well made, and I can't find anything else out there better.

[a64pilot]

Add reduced range, price and possibly not as rugged as well as small as in HP wise. The not as rugged is purely second or third hand, I have no experience

[RainDog]

I would think the electric would be less likely to get stolen. I would be harder to sell hot because it is a fairly unusual item. You do not say how you plan to use your outboard. That is a big factor in your choice. Motoring 1/2 mile on weekends with the boat on shore power the rest of the time? Motoring 10 miles a day with the boat at anchor/mooring? Electric/Propane is more appealing for limited range. Electric demands good charging source.

[mbuckner]

Honda:

Honda BF2.3 Outboard Engine - 2 hp boat motor specs and features

[nimblemotors]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to go with electric. And I still might. There's so many positives. Easy to store, no mess, no petrol onboard. The only two issues I can come up with are:

1. Looks fancy, might get stolen quicker?
2. A few people say the Torqeedo's aren't that well made, and I can't find anything else out there better.

For low HP, I think an electric is just a no-brainer.
Torqeedo's are very overpriced IMO.
I converted an old gas outboard to electric for a few hundred dollars.
It would be nice if there were more and better options in the market.

I don't think it is more likely to get stolen, their is not a ready market to resell them like gas outboards.

[Ian R]

I had a Honda 2 the tappet cover rusted out in less than 2 years and let all the oil out, the plastic camshaft melted before the piston seized.
I now have a tohatsu 3.5 ,I'm happy with it so far .I prefer the gearshift on the tohatsu to the Honda clutch.

[TacomaSailor]

My 22-pound 1993 Suzuki 2 HP 2-stroke is still working perfectly. It starts first pull every time and uses a 100:1 oil pre-mix. I've rebuilt the carb, replaced the petcock and fuel lines and consistently run vinegar thru the cooling system.

The integral fuel tank is good for several hours of moderate running.

In my opinion it is the greatest lightweight small outboard every built.