Storing small outboards, can you lay them flat?

[simonpickard]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of buying this small outboard for my dingy.
Suzuki Marine 2.5 HP Outboard Engine - 4 Stroke, Lightweight - Marine Super Store

It seems quite small and light (13kg). I don't have a huge amount of space on board and was wondering how they can be stored.

Can I put something like this in a locker and lay it down flat? Would that cause any issues?

Any other tips for storing small outboards would be great.

Regards,
Simon

[teapot]

Yes you can lay it flat(ish). Four strokes have to be laid on a certain side to stop the sump oil flowing into the carb, but it should be labelled, one side or the other. Also it's a good idea to have the prop lying slightly lower then the power head to stop any water that might still be in the leg flowing backup and through a possibly open exhaust valve

[simonpickard]

Thanks, hopefully that's a good outboard, seems to get good reviews.

[kentobin]

I have one. They have a recommended side to lay it down in a "horizontal" position, their words not mine.

Here's the link for an electronic copy of the owner's manual. Look at page 22.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/topcats...ing-Manual.pdf

It might seem small and light until you put it on your small and light dink. You end up having to sit toward the bow to compensate for the weight. You might decide you need an outboard throttle grip extension.

[simonpickard]

Thanks,

How are you finding yours? Would you buy again?

[kentobin]

I don't have any experience with other outboards but it starts right up and hasn't given me any problems. It's light and I still find it easy to move around and I'm 64. I haven't had any problems attaching and removing the engine with the dinghy in the water without any help but I do keep a line attached to it just in case Murphy shows up.

I use it on an 8 foot fiberglass lapstrake dinghy. I don't think I'll ever forget the first time I got in the stern of the boat with the engine attached. The bow stuck up in the air and I started to panic that water might start coming in over the stern. To keep the boat on a level trim I have to sit amidship and stretch to reach the throttle. I should probably get a throttle extension but keep putting it off.

I've also used it to tow my 12.5 ton full keel sailboat about a mile when I had transmission problems. I have to admit I waited for a slack tide and there wasn't much wind but it worked like a champ.

[SkiprJohn]

Just an observation. 2 strokes are lighter.

Oops just noticed the weight. This is pretty light engine at 13kg. I'll weigh my 4 hp Johnson and see if its about the same weight.

[SkiprJohn]

The Johnson weighs 35 lbs.