Do you carry a spare outboard?

[ericoh88]

When I was a newbie with the Yamaha 8hp outboard, I learnt quickly to on how to maintain the outboard. There was one time the end connectors got a bit of rain water and the outboard gave me so much problem until I service the carburetor, jets and all. I wished I had a spare so that I don't to do all that work in a rolly polly anchorage.

I notice some boats carry a smaller spare outboard. The other day at Ko Lipe/Thailand I saw this boat having a 2hp yamaha on his dinghy and a spare 2hp on the stern bracket. No need for fancy hoist system like the one I have on my boat.

Today I am still using the 8hp yamaha and got a spare used 5hp yamaha. Now I am having second thoughts because a 5hp is heavy and requires a strong board mounted on the stern rail. Maybe a 2 hp is a better choice.

What do you think of carrying a spare ob? If you have a spare, what is the size (hp) and what is your current outboard hp?

Thanks

Eric

[Singularity]

FWIW this has been discussed a few times here.

It's a fairly common practice to carry the regular/primary outboard (e.g. 8 or 15hp) for everyday use and then carry a second 2 or 3hp for backup and/or ease of use alternative to oars.

The logic supporting this includes:
-2hp is easier to manhandle and you don't always need the extra hp
-2hp motors maybe are less prone to theft

[Paul L]

I see some cruisers with two outboards. Often a 9.8 or 15hp and a 2-4hp as backup. We carry a single, light, 2 cycle 9.8hp and a spare prop and carb. Don't really want the weight, clutter and space on the rail for another outboard.

[thomm225]

My main auxiliary engine is a 5 hp outboard and I often think about carrying a spare especially when I start to cruise long distance.

The one time mine did fail was due to the impeller. I was trying to get 3 years out of it.

I was able to sail in close enough to my slip then motor in with the cover off the engine. I replaced the impeller a few days later

[hpeer]

We have a Porte Boat, I carry oars in the PB all the time. A spare motor on the mothership is worthless if you are drifting out of the harbor.

[nhschneider]

When we started our circumnavigation, we had a 15-hp Honda outboard that was about 10 years old. Trying to keep it running got to be too time consuming so we bought a new 15-hp Yamaha 2-stroke when we were in Thailand. Once we got to South Africa, we bought a 2-stroke, 5-hp Tohatsu. It’s a great setup for us.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[mvmojo]

I carry a spare 3 hp Mercury O/B as a backup to my 25 hp Yamaha 2-stroke. I think I've used it once in the past 19 years, but have loaned it out many times to other cruisers having O/B problems.

[motretu]

on my 45' sail, cruising in mexico for 9 yrs, with a 10' inflatable, two old farts with bad backs, used 2hp2s [25#s] 90%, 9.8hp 10%. both carried on stern rail, sometimes carried a 2nd 2hp as a backup. only used 9 when extra people on board, or kids.. carry extra props and impellers, run carbs dry when storing or moving from/to mothership.

[Mr O]

My most-used motor is an electric 3hp on my 8’ RIB. In my garage sits a 9.9hp 4 stroke heavy gasser which has not be used for 1-1/2 years. I might hang it on the rail this summer for backup propulsion or emergency evac. If my main engine goes out I can hip-tie the RIB and use the 9.9. Electric wont work very long or with wind/ current.

[roverhi]

They have this newfangled invention called oars. Work great and almost always start on the first stroke

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by roverhi

They have this newfangled invention called oars. Work great and almost always start on the first stroke

LOL. Really.

[Bulawayo]

My main is a Yam Enduro 25hp with a Yamaha Malta 3.5hp as a back up.

Originally Posted by ericoh88

When I was a newbie with the Yamaha 8hp outboard, I learnt quickly to on how to maintain the outboard. There was one time the end connectors got a bit of rain water and the outboard gave me so much problem until I service the carburetor, jets and all. I wished I had a spare so that I don't to do all that work in a rolly polly anchorage.

I notice some boats carry a smaller spare outboard. The other day at Ko Lipe/Thailand I saw this boat having a 2hp yamaha on his dinghy and a spare 2hp on the stern bracket. No need for fancy hoist system like the one I have on my boat.

Today I am still using the 8hp yamaha and got a spare used 5hp yamaha. Now I am having second thoughts because a 5hp is heavy and requires a strong board mounted on the stern rail. Maybe a 2 hp is a better choice.

What do you think of carrying a spare ob? If you have a spare, what is the size (hp) and what is your current outboard hp?

Thanks

Eric

[maxingout]

Primary outboard is 15hp 2 stroke Yamaha purchased in Bahamas.

Back up is 2hp Yamaha 2 stroke purchased in Australia.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by roverhi

They have this newfangled invention called oars. Work great and almost always start on the first stroke

My 9.5' RIB with me at the oars, I'm more likely to paddle in circles.

I am seriously considering buying a 1.1kw Torqeedo to supplement a 15 HP 2T Yamaha Enduro.

[Singularity]

Frankly sometimes people have a shoulder/arm issue such that rowing is problematic, as is hoisting/slinging a heavy outboard under the same circumstances. Many cruisers are not exactly spring chickens with good wing joints.