We're thinking of getting a electric start 4-stroke outboard for our 1986 23'. Is anyone aware of a 'Consumer Report' - type comparison of features and reliability? It seems that the Honda is on many wish lists, but are there others as good and less expensive? Thanks for your input.
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Tom
Web sites...
Check out the Evinrude line at http://www.omc-online.com/ They provide competitve analysis tables Suzuki at http://www.suzukimarine.com/ honda at http://www.honda-marine.com/ I like Evinrude, for the great features and large number of dealers for sales and service.
Check out the Evinrude line at http://www.omc-online.com/ They provide competitve analysis tables Suzuki at http://www.suzukimarine.com/ honda at http://www.honda-marine.com/ I like Evinrude, for the great features and large number of dealers for sales and service.
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Bill Welsch
Love the Honda...
We have had a Honda 5hp for six years and love it. It now powers our H240 which might seem like not enough motor for the boat size but that has not been our experience. We sail on an lake where the conditions can change quickly and we have never been disappointed in the "iron genny" power available to us. The four stroke uses very little fuel, burns clean and is very quiet. It is easy to maintain (all I do is change the oil and grease annually--maybe a spark plug every other year) We, too, faced "sticker shock" when we first priced the Honda but were glad we bit the bullet and moved ahead. No regrets. Good luck Bill Welsch s/v Renewal
We have had a Honda 5hp for six years and love it. It now powers our H240 which might seem like not enough motor for the boat size but that has not been our experience. We sail on an lake where the conditions can change quickly and we have never been disappointed in the "iron genny" power available to us. The four stroke uses very little fuel, burns clean and is very quiet. It is easy to maintain (all I do is change the oil and grease annually--maybe a spark plug every other year) We, too, faced "sticker shock" when we first priced the Honda but were glad we bit the bullet and moved ahead. No regrets. Good luck Bill Welsch s/v Renewal
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Mike Epp
Honda man
I likewise bought the Honda 5 horse. I heard one and thought it was a trolling motor! I wanted the quietest motor possible and didn't wanna take a chance on another brand after hearing the Honda. I like it very much and the power is sufficient for water without tides and currents.
I likewise bought the Honda 5 horse. I heard one and thought it was a trolling motor! I wanted the quietest motor possible and didn't wanna take a chance on another brand after hearing the Honda. I like it very much and the power is sufficient for water without tides and currents.
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Alan Long
OMC 4 strokes
I own a 1995 Johnson (same as Evinrude) 9.9 4 stroke. Its quiet, incredibly torquey and works well. It costs about the same as the Honda. My only reservation is that I had a total failure of the electronic ignition this summer and it took over 6 weeks to get parts and the repair cost nearly $600.00! I, like Tom, opted for the OMC because of their extensive service network and I've owned many of their motors in the past. To be perfectly honest I think I'll be buying a Honda next time..OMC's casual attitude about parts for my motor has pushed me into the Honda camp. Alan Long S/V Random Access
I own a 1995 Johnson (same as Evinrude) 9.9 4 stroke. Its quiet, incredibly torquey and works well. It costs about the same as the Honda. My only reservation is that I had a total failure of the electronic ignition this summer and it took over 6 weeks to get parts and the repair cost nearly $600.00! I, like Tom, opted for the OMC because of their extensive service network and I've owned many of their motors in the past. To be perfectly honest I think I'll be buying a Honda next time..OMC's casual attitude about parts for my motor has pushed me into the Honda camp. Alan Long S/V Random Access
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Dave Condon
motors
You may want to consider a two stroke for example the Nissan/Tohatsu which are the same engines. The best horsepower for this boat is 8 whether 2 or 4 stroke. A 9.9 is over poering the boat based on experience Crazy Dave Condon
You may want to consider a two stroke for example the Nissan/Tohatsu which are the same engines. The best horsepower for this boat is 8 whether 2 or 4 stroke. A 9.9 is over poering the boat based on experience Crazy Dave Condon
Crazy Dave Condon does it again!
I went through this same exercise three months ago when my 5 hp Tohatsu died. After a month of intense shopping and price comparing, I opted for the Nissan 8 hp (two stroke). The motor is quieter than the old 5hp Tohatsu, and it has handled 3 kt current, moderate chop (2-3 ft) and 20 kt headwind without a whimper. It is lighter than any comparable 4-stroke, is very frugal on fuel and barely smokes, even on idle. I agree with Crazy Dave...the Nissan 8 HP offers the best combination of price, weight, power, fuel consumption for the H23. It even matches the color trim on the boat! Peter s/v Raven
I went through this same exercise three months ago when my 5 hp Tohatsu died. After a month of intense shopping and price comparing, I opted for the Nissan 8 hp (two stroke). The motor is quieter than the old 5hp Tohatsu, and it has handled 3 kt current, moderate chop (2-3 ft) and 20 kt headwind without a whimper. It is lighter than any comparable 4-stroke, is very frugal on fuel and barely smokes, even on idle. I agree with Crazy Dave...the Nissan 8 HP offers the best combination of price, weight, power, fuel consumption for the H23. It even matches the color trim on the boat! Peter s/v Raven
Question for Dave Condon re Nissan 8 hp
Dave: While reading my Nissan 8hp owners manual, I noticed that the 8hp and 10hp motors have identical bore, stroke and weight. Unless I am mistaken, the specs. for the carburetor also seem to be the same. What up? Can you really get 2 additional hp just by changing the prop? I am really curious. Peter s/v Raven
Dave: While reading my Nissan 8hp owners manual, I noticed that the 8hp and 10hp motors have identical bore, stroke and weight. Unless I am mistaken, the specs. for the carburetor also seem to be the same. What up? Can you really get 2 additional hp just by changing the prop? I am really curious. Peter s/v Raven
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Tom
Went for the Honda...
Folks, We went for the Honda 9.9 4 stroke (Hunter 260) mainly for two reasons: 1) it is the lightest 9.9 4 stroke around (~ 30# lighter ) 2) it has the longest shaft available of ANY I looked at (28" vs 25"max) In my opinion the deeper, the better. Also the dealer claimed he could have ANY part necessary in two days if he didn't already have it in stock. Good luck and good sailing! Tom
Folks, We went for the Honda 9.9 4 stroke (Hunter 260) mainly for two reasons: 1) it is the lightest 9.9 4 stroke around (~ 30# lighter ) 2) it has the longest shaft available of ANY I looked at (28" vs 25"max) In my opinion the deeper, the better. Also the dealer claimed he could have ANY part necessary in two days if he didn't already have it in stock. Good luck and good sailing! Tom
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Daniel Lawrence
Less better
I sail a H240 and went with the Nissan 5H/4S. Great engine, starts on first pull, quite and clean. I previously had a Nissan 5H/2S and no comparison. The two stroke was noisy, smoked, and difficult to keep running. The 5H is more than enough power for the H240 and the inland lake I sail. I prefer less of an engine as the weight is less, the cost is less, and after all, it is a sailboat. Ahoy
I sail a H240 and went with the Nissan 5H/4S. Great engine, starts on first pull, quite and clean. I previously had a Nissan 5H/2S and no comparison. The two stroke was noisy, smoked, and difficult to keep running. The 5H is more than enough power for the H240 and the inland lake I sail. I prefer less of an engine as the weight is less, the cost is less, and after all, it is a sailboat. Ahoy
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Tom Chulski
Weight and Balance
I've taken a look at four stroke engines for my 170. Aside from sticker shock, they seem heavier than 2 stroke engines. Tohatsu's smallest four stroke is 28 pounds heavier than a two stroke of the same horsepower. On a smaller hull, doesn't that screw up the trim?
I've taken a look at four stroke engines for my 170. Aside from sticker shock, they seem heavier than 2 stroke engines. Tohatsu's smallest four stroke is 28 pounds heavier than a two stroke of the same horsepower. On a smaller hull, doesn't that screw up the trim?
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Davor Kusec
motor for h23
I have a Tohatsu 5HP long leg motor on my boat and have never felt under powered. For displacement boats, the rule-of-thumb is 1HP for every 500 pound of boat. The Tohatsu/Nisan (2-stroke or 4-stroke)is a very simple and reliable motor. I have added an external 5 gal. fuel tank and a 3 amp alternator. One tank full lasts the whole summer. Great motor for the hunter 23. A larger motor will not make your boat go faster. I can get hull speed (about 6 knots) in all weather conditions.
I have a Tohatsu 5HP long leg motor on my boat and have never felt under powered. For displacement boats, the rule-of-thumb is 1HP for every 500 pound of boat. The Tohatsu/Nisan (2-stroke or 4-stroke)is a very simple and reliable motor. I have added an external 5 gal. fuel tank and a 3 amp alternator. One tank full lasts the whole summer. Great motor for the hunter 23. A larger motor will not make your boat go faster. I can get hull speed (about 6 knots) in all weather conditions.
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Dave Condon
engines/response to Peter Suah
The Nissan and Tohatsu engines are practically the same engines and part numbers are identical. The bolck for the 8 and 9.8 engines are the same but the 9.8 has some changes to give it more umph> The 9.9 and 15 hp engines use the same block from what I have seen. I also understand that other companies do the same too. Hope this answers your question. Crazy Dave
The Nissan and Tohatsu engines are practically the same engines and part numbers are identical. The bolck for the 8 and 9.8 engines are the same but the 9.8 has some changes to give it more umph> The 9.9 and 15 hp engines use the same block from what I have seen. I also understand that other companies do the same too. Hope this answers your question. Crazy Dave
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