Reliable and Light Outboard

[SkiprJohn]

The cost of repairs to an old two stroke outboard are related to labor. If you can do most the repairs yourself then the cost of repairs comes down considerably. However, a prop shaft is expensive and so is the longer shaft from powerhead to gear unit. An engine that has been used exclusively in fresh water will have fewer issues than one that's been run in salt and not been flushed. Always check the lower unit gear oil before buying anything and chek it after its been run for a bit in water. If you see any foaming or creamy looking gear oil down there then the seals need to be changed. That is very labor intensive on a saltwater engine.

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by ErikFinn

Consider some of the the spare part prices for my Yamaha 3HP "Malta":

-Propeller shaft ~ 100 USD (old hardened oil seals leaked, pitted shaft)
-Propeller ~ 150 USD
-Carburator service kit & diaphgrams ~ 100 USD (Always issues with old fuel)

Erik, you must be talking Aussie dollars. I have the same engine in Florida. A new propellor was $14 US on the internet. Fuel pump rebuild parts were $20 US locally. Carburetor fuel bowl gasket was $3 US, bought in the Bahamas. Labor was free (mine).

I picked up the shop manual at a marine flea market. The seller no longer had the engine (too old) but wanted $15 for the manual. I dont usually bargain but I suggested to him that I might be the only person he would meet that day that still owned that engine. He laughed and sold it to me for $5.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by ErikFinn

Just for the sake of educated discussion I'd like us to evaluate the economics a bit regarding buying an old outboard in this class, say 2 to 5 hp pre-owned.

I'm tempted to think that it would be more economical and intelligent to buy a new one instead of having anything more than minor service done on an old outboard..............:

Yes but if you need a lightweight outboard and live in the good old EPA controlled USA you cannot buy a new 2 stroke in a small motor. Only used.

[Terra Nova]

The hot setup is the 3.5 hp Tohatsu/Nissan 2-stroke with integral tank, and neutral and forward, only--27 lbs! Easy to hoist up onto a rail mount for storage. And very powerful for their size.

My present small motor is a 3 hp Yamaha 2-stroke with full gearshift. It feels considerably heavier. The 4 hp Suzuki 2-stroke is also a great little motor

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

The hot setup is the 3.5 hp Tohatsu/Nissan 2-stroke with integral tank, and neutral and forward, only--27 lbs! Easy to hoist up onto a rail mount for storage. And very powerful for their size.

My present small motor is a 3 hp Yamaha 2-stroke with full gearshift. It feels considerably heavier. The 4 hp Suzuki 2-stroke is also a great little motor

Sounds like you and I have the same engines. The nissan is about 10lbs lighter than the yammie. But the yammie just seems to be more robust. I took the yammie to the Bahamas last summer (and was happy to find a gasket for it in marsh harbor when I needed one).

[Terra Nova]

Hard to beat Yamaha and Suzuki design and build--truly great products.

[Seymore]

Consider a British Seagull Forty Plus (with a P in the serial number). They put out 3 hp with high torque, weigh 29 pounds, start second pull every time because the piston is almost undersquare, don't need flushing out with fresh water, easy to work on, parts are still available on eBay and elsewhere. They'll take a lot of neglect. Cons: They take a 10/1 oil fuel mixture. You can get one used on eBay or similar places. If you get serious, get one that is complete and works well--there are lots of almost-complete Seagulls for sale.

I've had two of them and think highly of them. Currently there's a Nissan 5 hp 2 stroke here that runs well. It weighs 42 lbs and I'm thinking of trading it in for a Seagull for the weight payoff and reliable starting, but not altogether seriously...

[dpddj]

tominny - how close are you to Canada? You can get small two strokers there.

[onestepcsy37]

Seymore, I owned Seagulls back in the 70's and 80's. Simple and rugged. But leaky and dirty. Couldn't hang it on the stern rail because oil always seemed to be dripping out of it from one place or another. But with the most basic tools and spares you could keep it running forever. In the end I sold them off for a 2 stroke, 2 cylinder, 2.5hp evinrude that lasted me 17 years - in salt water.

[Terra Nova]

They were only built for a 1-way trip across the channel.

[onestepcsy37]

I read somewhere that they were intended to be used by British commandos making clandestine landings on the mainland during the war. Those Seagulls were pretty noisy; cant imagine sneaking up on somebody....

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

They were only built for a 1-way trip across the channel.

yeah... hopefully they'd make the 20 miles one way.....

[tominny]

Didn't know 2 strokes are sold in Canada. That might be worth the 5 h car trip.

So consensus is that 3 HP Yamaha and Suzuki, both 2 stroke, are great options?


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[blueskye33]

I switched from a 4 stroke, 6hp Mercury at 55lbs, to a 2.5 hp, 4-stroke Suzuki at 27 lbs. We use it on a 10.5 ft inflatable, and it gets the job done nicely. Easy to lift from dinghy to sailboat. Internal gas tank, neutral and forward gear, and absolutely reliable. Starts on 1st or second pull every time, even after 2 or 3 months out of use. I would recommend this motor without question, after 2 years use.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by tominny

Didn't know 2 strokes are sold in Canada. That might be worth the 5 h car trip.

So consensus is that 3 HP Yamaha and Suzuki, both 2 stroke, are great options?


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Only question is; when you return to the US and they ask you if you bought anything in Canada.. what do you say?