Outboard: SMALL!!!

[Bill Coogan]

I have always enjoyed rowing, but because of a shoulder injury, it has become painful to row for a distance or against a chop. So, reluctantly, I have decided to put a small (the smallest possible) outboard on my Walker Bay 8.

Questions: Does anyone make 1 1/2 h.p. outboards any more and is it worth a search for a used one? Alternatively would a trolling motor be an option?

[Joe CD MS 300]

The smallest outboard that comes to mind is probably the Honda 2hp?. I think it is air cooled which makes it noisy. I'm trying to figure out a way to eliminate the 4 Hp Yamaha hanging from my Typhoon's transom. It's a hassle taking on or off and storing on the Typhoon. Looking at the Honda, a Torqeeto or even rowing or paddling as an alternative.

Joe

[hinmo]

http://www.ioutboardmotors.com/12hp-2-c ... swodH-gHzg

weedwhacker?

[Lisa G.]

Mercury also makes a 2 1/2 hp that weighs 38lbs and has an intregal tank. Your small outboards will not have a reverse gear. Instead you spin the engine around. Never heard of anyone making a smaller one.

Lisa

CD30c Pochade

[s2sailorlis]

You can still find used, if you look hard, the 1.2 hp Johnson Colt two-stroke. It is a great little motor super lightweight, and easy to maintain. I have a 1991 Colt I'm currently rebuilding.

If you can find a freshwater version, grab it. Parts are reading available thru the internet parts retailers.

[Ken Textor]

Hi,

I've had VERY good luck with my 2 hp 4-stroke Suzuki outboard, powering my 15-foot Sandpiper (cat boat) through the Kenenbec River's choppy waters, even against 20 knots or so. Plenty quiet, sips gasoline, price in '15 was a little north of $800. Starts every time, no complaints. Good luck,

Ken

[jen1722terry]

We love our 2.3 Honda 4-stroke. At 29 lbs., it may be the lightest small 4 stroke out there. Fairly quiet, pretty good on fuel and no smoked.

A used 2-stroke might be lighter, but not by much.


Jenn and Terry

[Tom Keevil]

Last year we bought a Torqeedo electric for use on our 8' Fatty Knees dinghy, and are pleased with it. We still row most of the time, but the outboard is occasionally very useful. It disassembles into three pieces, making it easy to store and easy to move onto and off of the dinghy.

It will go 4 or more hours poking slowly along, or way too fast for 20-30 minutes. We recharge it overnight using the house bank. It is not exactly silent, but is way better than a gasoline engine. We can have quiet conversations as we motor along. We also don't have to carry gasoline aboard or breathe exhaust fumes. It was spendy, but we think it was a good investment.

[moctrams]

I bought an old Johnson 2hp outboard motor and converted it to solid state ignition. It uses a 50/50 fuel mix and it starts right away with the new hotter ignition. Motor only weighs in at 24 lbs. and it only cost me $200.00.

[Neil Gordon]

Last year we bought a Torqeedo electric for use on our 8' Fatty Knees dinghy, and are pleased with it. We still row most of the time, but the outboard is occasionally very useful. It disassembles into three pieces, making it easy to store and easy to move onto and off of the dinghy.

It will go 4 or more hours poking slowly along, or way too fast for 20-30 minutes. We recharge it overnight using the house bank. It is not exactly silent, but is way better than a gasoline engine. We can have quiet conversations as we motor along. We also don't have to carry gasoline aboard or breathe exhaust fumes. It was spendy, but we think it was a good investment.

Same for me, except I tend to motor enough to keep the battery charged. I've been happy; the battery holds its charge seemingly forever, the built in GPS/computer tells you how much range you have remaining, there's no gasoline to spill, etc.

[Markst95]

Cruise and Carry outboards from the 70's and 80's are still widely available here in the Northeast. I believe they made a 1.2 and a 3.5hp.

[Astronomertoo]

Cruise and Carry outboards from the 70's and 80's are still widely available here in the Northeast. I believe they made a 1.2 and a 3.5hp.

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I would recommend against these air cooled 2 stroke outboards due to the incredible amount of noise they put out with the exhaust just below the water level. I had a 2.5 HP (mail order red and white super bug?) long ago, 1981-1987, which was always reliable on our Avon Redseal inflatable. And it was easy to mount on the stern rail bracket because it was so lightweight. It always started and worked well but we knew it affected our hearing, making us more deaf. I swore I would never have another small noisy outboard with mixed gas requirements, or without a gear shift, at least a neutral. Thus our current motor is a 3.5 HP 4 stroke, much heavier, but quieter, no smell, with a neutral gear, and we only use ethanol free gas (like all our yard equipment). It runs for one hour on the 1/2 gal internal tank, and we carry a 1 gal fuel can for 2 refills.
BC

[Jim Walsh]

I would gladly trade my three year old Tohatsu 4 stroke for the Mercury 2 stroke I had for 18 trouble-free years. It eventually cracked a cylinder wall but the 4 stroke has never been reliable. I take that back, it is reliable, it can be relied upon to require attention to run somewhat reliably.

[Joe CD MS 300]

Every since I went to the internal tank and trying to use only Valvetec gas I have had almost no proplens with my 4 hp Mercury. I think this is its 12th season. Just keep a small 1.5 gallon can in the dinghy. Sometimes it almost starts just giving a soft pull to make sure it's not in gear.

[Astronomertoo]

I would gladly trade my three year old Tohatsu 4 stroke for the Mercury 2 stroke I had for 18 trouble-free years. It eventually cracked a cylinder wall but the 4 stroke has never been reliable. I take that back, it is reliable, it can be relied upon to require attention to run somewhat reliably.

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Hey Jim, what gas dinghy motor are you using on this Bermuda trip? Sorry your 4HP has treated you so badly. I know you lost the pull cord last trip. I will keep my fingers crossed our little 3.5 Tohatsu 4 stroke will be better to us.
We think about you everytime the America's Cup comes on and they show the gorgeous waters over there. Reminds me of the Bahamas. BTW, too bad about this years AC race results, but the Kiwis earned it. Maybe next time.