Which dinghy outboard to get?

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by Shaneesprit

Buy an old Villiers Seagull, some of them must be 50 years old, the jet is huge and designed to be serviced on the passage.
They say even if you drop it in the drink you can get it going again.

I love it. I think I’ve seen one in a museum before. Maybe one day I will be that salty.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Shaneesprit

Buy an old Villiers Seagull, some of them must be 50 years old, the jet is huge and designed to be serviced on the passage.
They say even if you drop it in the drink you can get it going again.

That is an interesting comment. My 15hp Merc 2-stroke has been immersed in salt water three times, twice while running.

I've gotten it going again within 30 minutes or less and it still runs perfectly years later however it has some corrosion on the power head which is unattractive. But I have to live with that I guess.

There have been several other incidents of mistreatment, such as I never run the fuel out of it at the end of the season because I never know when the season is going to be over, and when it is I don't usually feel like putting the dingy together, launch8ng it and mounting the motor, just to run out the last bit of fuel. Yet it always starts easily the next season, though a few times I've had to remove the carb to get the passages cleared before it runs really well.

It pushes our 12ft zodiac with four adults although it is a struggle, the Zodiac is not rigid and planes poorly with a big load. This is a Zodiac design issue, not a motor issue. With two persons and a huge load of groceries, it is great however. It loafs along at 15 knots for miles and miles.

We buy fuel once a season, usually 8 gallons will do us.

As for heavy? I can manhandle it around but to load it on the boat we hoist it with the spin halyard quickly and easily.

So a big 2-stroke is my vote, Merc preferably.