Honda or Tohatsu outboard for dinghy

[Nimbus]

Our 2 year old 3.5hp Tohatsu has been a nightmare. Carb seems to be forever clogged, even after turning it off by shutting off the fuel. The dealer insists we are doing something wrong but we've found no method of starting or stopping it that will make it work reliably.

I have a 2.3 Honda and it's much more reliable, but it's a rather unpleasant little engine being loud.

I'd buy a Yamaha is looking for another engine of this size.

[jfischgrund]

Suzuki 2.5, especially for the weight. I have one for exactly the same dinghy and it moves it along just fine. If you are towing your dinghy anywhere, and you need to put the outboard up on the rail, it is by far the lightest.

[kerrydeare]

Our 2 year old 3.5hp Tohatsu has been a nightmare. Carb seems to be forever clogged, even after turning it off by shutting off the fuel. The dealer insists we are doing something wrong but we've found no method of starting or stopping it that will make it work reliably ...

Consider this:


https://tinyurl.com/Hog3point5

[mgphl52]

Consider this:


https://tinyurl.com/Hog3point5

Great idea! Is it stage 1 or higher? Vance & Hines? Arlen Ness? FP3?

[pjust]

I've used both the Honda and Suzuki 4-strokes as the stinkpot on my Typhoon. They both performed very well. If it's just for a dinghy, I'd say go with the lighter, cheaper, Suzuki.

[Dick Villamil]

I have an older 2 stroke Mercury 2.5 (or 3) and it was made by Tohatsu. I only use high test non-ethanol gas and mix up only the amount I will use for a month at a time - and make sure the gas tank vent is open. Works like a dream on a 12 foot rowboat. May try it on my CD 10 but need to install a wood mounting plate and centerboard trunk plug for it - creating the delay in its use.

[RLW]

I have an older Honda 2, short shaft that we use on our Dyer, and just bought a 2.3 long shaft for the TY. In calm conditions I can easily get 4 k in the TY at mid throttle. I only use E zero, which I buy at a station near a race track. Loud if throttled up (I don’t) and automatic clutch does require a learning curve, but air cooled makes it worth it to me. BTW...see www.pure-gas.org for E zero near you, if any.