Time to replace my old Tohatsu (sp) 3.5 hp outboard. I would like to go with a four stroke ( I am one of those environmentally concerned types, and do not wish to add oil to my fuel) I just purchased the West Marine HP340 , a non RIB with the high pressure floor, it only weighs 63 lbs and is 11.2 feet etc, rated for 8 - 15 hp. My sailing is 99 % northern Chesapeake Bay and I have 3 young children, high speed performance not a wish (at least not yet) My question is which brand?????? Alll of them currently have a four stroke model Reliability, ease of start, etc Thanks John
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Chris Hyland
4 Stroke
John, I own a Yamaha 15hp 4 stroke and have been very happy with it. I don't think it is quite as quiet as the Honda but it's performance and fuel economy is excellent. Yamaha at one time made the Mercury 4 stroke engines in the small motors. If I had to do it all over again I would buy the Honda or the Yamaha. They are priced about the same. The good part is you don't have to carry much fuel with you as they are really stingy on gas usage. I use mine on my 14ft fishing boat and use it several times a week and use maybe 3 tanks of fuel all summer. Best of luck, Chris
John, I own a Yamaha 15hp 4 stroke and have been very happy with it. I don't think it is quite as quiet as the Honda but it's performance and fuel economy is excellent. Yamaha at one time made the Mercury 4 stroke engines in the small motors. If I had to do it all over again I would buy the Honda or the Yamaha. They are priced about the same. The good part is you don't have to carry much fuel with you as they are really stingy on gas usage. I use mine on my 14ft fishing boat and use it several times a week and use maybe 3 tanks of fuel all summer. Best of luck, Chris
Think all the small egnines are good.
John: I think that all of these small engines are good. Tohatsu makes engines for several of the mfgs. They now have 4 cycles engines too. The new 2 cycles are all non-polluting too. If you are hauling 3-5 people in your dink at the same time you may want to think about the 8HP. Our friends just got one of the 5hp and it is not very fast but is nice and quiet. I think that the distance that you travel is probably the major determing factor. I would try the old engine on the new dink and see how much more power you think you are going to need.
John: I think that all of these small engines are good. Tohatsu makes engines for several of the mfgs. They now have 4 cycles engines too. The new 2 cycles are all non-polluting too. If you are hauling 3-5 people in your dink at the same time you may want to think about the 8HP. Our friends just got one of the 5hp and it is not very fast but is nice and quiet. I think that the distance that you travel is probably the major determing factor. I would try the old engine on the new dink and see how much more power you think you are going to need.
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Bob Camarena
Weight
Don't underestimate the weight factor. A 10 lb difference in the store is hardly noticable but when you're hauling it around it feels like 25 lbs. If you plan on rail mounting your motor when not on the dinghy and hoisting it in and out of the dinghy to your boat, the weight factor is even more critical. You'll also find that some engines of the same make but different HP share the same basic block and will weigh close to the same, the difference in HP being attributable to differences in stroke length. In those cases, go for the HP.
Don't underestimate the weight factor. A 10 lb difference in the store is hardly noticable but when you're hauling it around it feels like 25 lbs. If you plan on rail mounting your motor when not on the dinghy and hoisting it in and out of the dinghy to your boat, the weight factor is even more critical. You'll also find that some engines of the same make but different HP share the same basic block and will weigh close to the same, the difference in HP being attributable to differences in stroke length. In those cases, go for the HP.
A dinosaur responds
Well, I grew up in the age of the British Seagull so I can't comment here! LOL If I had to buy a dink motor tomorrow I would lean towards a Honda. I don't know why– I have one of their older cars and love it. All their stuff is built with the idea of being cheap to buy and lasting a long time and you can't beat that for a marketing strategy. The biggest caveat about the British Seagull that we all know is not the reliability, the price, or the operating expence– it's the NOISE!!! There are places I can think of where firing up that thing at 6.30 am or 10.30 pm can get you SHOT!!! JC
Well, I grew up in the age of the British Seagull so I can't comment here! LOL If I had to buy a dink motor tomorrow I would lean towards a Honda. I don't know why– I have one of their older cars and love it. All their stuff is built with the idea of being cheap to buy and lasting a long time and you can't beat that for a marketing strategy. The biggest caveat about the British Seagull that we all know is not the reliability, the price, or the operating expence– it's the NOISE!!! There are places I can think of where firing up that thing at 6.30 am or 10.30 pm can get you SHOT!!! JC
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Chris Hyland
Bob's Right about Weight
John, The two stroke will be much lighter if that is a concern. My 15hp four stroke Yamaha weighs about 110 lbs. I think the 9.9 is about 80 lbs. Good Luck. Chris
John, The two stroke will be much lighter if that is a concern. My 15hp four stroke Yamaha weighs about 110 lbs. I think the 9.9 is about 80 lbs. Good Luck. Chris
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Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net
Power v.weight
Feeb.26,2001 Dear John, There is a real tendency to overpower dinks, dare I say especially by our American friends who have a tendency to buy the maximum Hp rated for the boat. It's really unnecessary to do so . The object is to get up on to a plane, not become one. On our now demised inflatable with the inflatable keel our 6 hp Evinrude would get it planing with two aboard. I would suggest that you go with the minimum 8 h.p. or even a 7.5 and if you have a problem planing add the dolphin fins to the engine. As to make I favour the Yamaha because I am familiar with them and they can be serviced in the third world which is not something that can be said for Honda. I would check out the availability of real service first (as opposed to promises) and let that be my guide on the purchase. Fair Winds, Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net, aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Feeb.26,2001 Dear John, There is a real tendency to overpower dinks, dare I say especially by our American friends who have a tendency to buy the maximum Hp rated for the boat. It's really unnecessary to do so . The object is to get up on to a plane, not become one. On our now demised inflatable with the inflatable keel our 6 hp Evinrude would get it planing with two aboard. I would suggest that you go with the minimum 8 h.p. or even a 7.5 and if you have a problem planing add the dolphin fins to the engine. As to make I favour the Yamaha because I am familiar with them and they can be serviced in the third world which is not something that can be said for Honda. I would check out the availability of real service first (as opposed to promises) and let that be my guide on the purchase. Fair Winds, Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net, aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
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George Dibble
Nissan
Bought a 5hp 4 stroke Nissan last summer from Boat/US. On sale. Saved about $100. Have been very pleased with it, easy to start. BUT, like other 4 strokes, is heavy. 77 pounds. Difficult to put on the dinghy from the rail. Am installing a crane from Forespar on the stern to deal with this problem. So you may need to consider that also, if you go that way.
Bought a 5hp 4 stroke Nissan last summer from Boat/US. On sale. Saved about $100. Have been very pleased with it, easy to start. BUT, like other 4 strokes, is heavy. 77 pounds. Difficult to put on the dinghy from the rail. Am installing a crane from Forespar on the stern to deal with this problem. So you may need to consider that also, if you go that way.
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