Anyone have any experience with "Island Hopper Outboard Motors". I have never heard of them before. Maybe its a china built motor imported and sold under the Island hopper name? I know, its hard not to go with a name brand like Honda, this is really just a curiosity type question. Jack
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Weedwacker Engine?
Was looking for a light outboard for my dingui and ran into them. They looked to much like weedwacker for my taste. They do have a 4HP 4stroke that apparently is a Yamaha knockoff for about $850. I don't know if I would go that route to save $250. I ended up finding one of the last 3.3HP 2 stroke Mercurys for like $550 with a discount. At 29 lbs I can manhandle it. My previous 54 pounder and my back are taking a rest. Those people are located in your neck of the woods, 330, 13th St. South, St. Pete.
Was looking for a light outboard for my dingui and ran into them. They looked to much like weedwacker for my taste. They do have a 4HP 4stroke that apparently is a Yamaha knockoff for about $850. I don't know if I would go that route to save $250. I ended up finding one of the last 3.3HP 2 stroke Mercurys for like $550 with a discount. At 29 lbs I can manhandle it. My previous 54 pounder and my back are taking a rest. Those people are located in your neck of the woods, 330, 13th St. South, St. Pete.
Same story 15 years ago
Needed an outboard. Bough a force 4 HP (low cost at the time, how bad could it be?) brought it back 3 times in one week because it would not start. They gave me a new one, it started perfectly every time but the forward/neutral transmission not go into forward. Traded it up for the King (at the time it was Evinrude). Never had a problem again. We now have had a Nissan 3 HP on our dinghy for over 7 years now. This thing will not die. It has seen the bottom of the harbor at least four times and I fully expect it to be around for while. Nothing is as fustrating as the dam motor not working the few times you actually need it/want it. The name brands are more expensive for a reason. They are better.
Needed an outboard. Bough a force 4 HP (low cost at the time, how bad could it be?) brought it back 3 times in one week because it would not start. They gave me a new one, it started perfectly every time but the forward/neutral transmission not go into forward. Traded it up for the King (at the time it was Evinrude). Never had a problem again. We now have had a Nissan 3 HP on our dinghy for over 7 years now. This thing will not die. It has seen the bottom of the harbor at least four times and I fully expect it to be around for while. Nothing is as fustrating as the dam motor not working the few times you actually need it/want it. The name brands are more expensive for a reason. They are better.
I prefer a Seagull to any “modern” outboard
I was just out in our Shad boat to take some photographers to see the construction from the Hudson River side of Dennings Point. I used a British Seagull model 40. It started first pull, ran fine and I expect it to continue running for ever. It is light and has more then enough thrust for a small engine. I prefer a Seagull to any “modern” outboard. All the best, Robert Gainer
I was just out in our Shad boat to take some photographers to see the construction from the Hudson River side of Dennings Point. I used a British Seagull model 40. It started first pull, ran fine and I expect it to continue running for ever. It is light and has more then enough thrust for a small engine. I prefer a Seagull to any “modern” outboard. All the best, Robert Gainer
It works
Landsend said, “If you like an ancient design that you have to hand start and is so loud you cant hear yourself think, go for it... “ Actually Landsend I prefer a design that works instead of something that has a computer that I can’t fix and won’t start if the stars aren’t in the right quadrant. Also it’s nice to have an outboard that has some pull instead of something that has a small high speed prop that’s only good for blending drinks. None of my Seagulls have let me down and I will continue to use them because the gods of the sea don’t care if you are trendy or fashionable but instead are only impressed by good honest equipment and seamanship. Just to put this into perspective I have used a Seagull of one type or another in the winter North Atlantic to move barges and in Africa and Brazil to move a 100 ton ketch. It works and you can’t ask for more then that. All the best, Robert Gainer
Landsend said, “If you like an ancient design that you have to hand start and is so loud you cant hear yourself think, go for it... “ Actually Landsend I prefer a design that works instead of something that has a computer that I can’t fix and won’t start if the stars aren’t in the right quadrant. Also it’s nice to have an outboard that has some pull instead of something that has a small high speed prop that’s only good for blending drinks. None of my Seagulls have let me down and I will continue to use them because the gods of the sea don’t care if you are trendy or fashionable but instead are only impressed by good honest equipment and seamanship. Just to put this into perspective I have used a Seagull of one type or another in the winter North Atlantic to move barges and in Africa and Brazil to move a 100 ton ketch. It works and you can’t ask for more then that. All the best, Robert Gainer
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