outboard recomendations

[scott21050]

I have had it with my 2007 Suzuki 6 POS
The most unreliable moter ever!
I have done all recomended maintenance and it has been a POS. Ethanol has not helped either.
Anyway looking for a good 6 or 8 HP new with electric charging.
I have leaned toward Yamaha but any good referances?

Had it with Suzuki small motors.
Thanks,

Scott

 

[Deucer]

I've got a 9.9 Honda with electric start on my H260. It's a little temperamental when it sits too long, but a spray of carb cleaner gets it going (I keep Stabil in the gas).

If you want it to recharge your house battery after a big drain, you're probably going to be disappointed (anybody else can jump in, if I'm wrong here). I think the alternator on my motor only puts out about 6 amps. I'd have to run the motor for 5-6 hours to recharge a 50% discharge.

I bought a 5 watt solar panel to keep the battery topped off at the dock.

 

[sesmith]

Another happy Honda owner here (8 hp 4 stoke). I also believe the motor's alternator is basically a trickle charger (never bothered to hook mine up for charging as we don't use the motor enough to say so). I use a 15 watt solar panel to keep the battery up.

 

[owner23.5]

trading mine in this week have older 2stroke 9.9 tohatsu and am updating to brand new 9.9 4stroke tohatsu this one has electric start and charging system for batt. nothing wrong with older one just think 4stroke will be better on fuel"not like thats ever an issue " and a quieter ride.

 

[soling42]

Been very happy with the 8hp 4stroke high thrust long shaft Yamaha that came on our 2004 H260. Estart/PTilt/Ptrim/alt/pedestal shift and throttle controls. I use it quite a bit more than most sailors would like but we cruise up and down the coast of fl and often get skunked by the wind Gods.

A 40-60mi run each way is pretty standard fare for us. Often we're under power for about 30-40% of the run and the OB has never missed a beat. That said I'm a nut about flushing it after every use and changing oil and impellers regularly. The alternator is a must for us but I wouldn't give up elec start either.

My advice would be to run it hard and often. Also, ethanol fuel has a very short life so keep it fresh and supplement with a stabilizer and octane booster. I keep two main fuel tanks with a selector switch and will run one dry before switching over. This assures a good fuel source if I get some cruddy corn squeezins'. Ethanol:cussing:, what a boondoggle. It's caused the end of many old reliable engines.

Good luck, Mike

 

[C Jones]

We had a post on this a while back but I can't find it for you now. Someone said The Nissan, Tohatsu and Mercury were the same engine in 5hp and 6hp, being made by Tohatsu. I think everyone agreed 6 hp was the best size for a h23. My Nissan 5hp 4stroke that came on my boat is a poor quality engine IMO. I had it tuned and serviced last summer. The Nissan mechanic told me to haul my gas to the marina, no ethanol, put marine stabil in my fuel, disconnect my fuel line after every use and run the bowl dry. I have a Yamaha 2.5 hp 4 stroke on my Mutt and its a better quality moter IMO

 

[sea_casper]

Disconnect fuel line and run bowl dry is the best advice, I never have any trouble with my 9.9 Honda.

 

[ChrisM]

I have a 2006 Tohatsu 9.9 4 cycle with electric start mounted on my H23. It seems to have more power than I need, as I reach hull speed at 1/2-2/3 throttle, and it is a bit heavy, but I have not had many issues. I had problems with it a couple of times this summer, but they cleared up when I added new fuel to the tank. I do use stabilizer. The motor charges the battery and I have not had to recharge the battery this summer.

Chris