Need a new outboard for the tender.
The Suzuki 2.5 and Honda 2.3 seem to get good reviews but I wondered if anyone had any recent experience of either.
Or any other options of course.
Need a new outboard for the tender.
The Suzuki 2.5 and Honda 2.3 seem to get good reviews but I wondered if anyone had any recent experience of either.
Or any other options of course.
I had a Honda BH2 (1998) with a constant mesh gear (no clutch) which worked well, not too noisy as some others will disagree, no heavier than a two- stroke and a reasonable amount of poke for a hard tender, three occupants and kit- not thirsty either.
BUT when I came to exchange it the number of complaints about the successor 2.3,
4 stroke which has a centrifugal clutch put me off. Seemingly when one throttles back to tickover, drive is lost and windage/tide takes over and when revved to re-engage the drive, it kicks in suddenly leading to a lurching takeoff often resulting in a crunch.
We initially narrowed our recent purchase down to the same two outboards, mainly due to weight. We used a Honda on charter boats in Greece and seen/heard the Suzuki on a friend's dinghy. We found the noise of the Honda to be...well..not necessarily noisier than the Suzuki, but for some reason, at an irritating pitch.
We chose the Suzuki based on the noise issue and the fact that the Honda has a centrifugal clutch, whereas the Suzuki has a forward and neutral gear shift lever, which we both personally find easier to handle (agree with Gin's comments on that score). We had read of problems with the cooling water output on the Suzuki being hard to see (i.e. check that it's flowing), but having made the decision and bought the Suzuki, have had no such problems. I don't know if Suzuki have made some sort of modification, but the cooling water shoots out at about a 45 degree angle and is very easy to see. We also found it slightly easier to manhandle from pushpit rail to dinghy than the Honda, but did purchase a motor grip (http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/motor-grip.htm) from Salty John (excellent service, and no personal connection or commercial interest), which makes it even easier still.
We have only had the Suzuki for one season, but are completely happy with it so far.
I've got the little Suzi since last year brilliant little thing - starts every time and is light and strong enough to bring me to the boat.Don't use the choke though when the weather is warm but let it start without throttle.
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Need a new outboard for the tender.
The Suzuki 2.5 and Honda 2.3 seem to get good reviews but I wondered if anyone had any recent experience of either.
Or any other options of course.
I've had a 2.3 Honda for about 4 yrs with no problems so far , though it doesn't have to do a lot of work each year.
Irritating exhaust pitch that seems louder than others at low revs but about the same volume at WOT.
Centrifugal clutch can catch you out on start-up and when coming alongside but you do get used to it.
BUT it's very light and easy to manhandle plus there is no liquid cooling circuit to get gunged up.
Also bought (last year) a Mariner (Merc./Tohatsu) 3.5 4str.for use on the river. Seems fine but not as responsive/smooth as Honda and is noticeably heavier. It also seems to use more fuel, though that could be because it's on a heavier boat.
Personally, if I could find one, I'd buy a decent 2nd hand Tohatsu/Mariner/Merc. 3.3/3.5hp 2str. with F & N gear.
The automatic clutches on the Honda are intensely disliked by some people. Others get used to them and are quite happy with them. Something to try before you buy I suggest.
If weight is important study the tech specs carefully as the 4 strokes are a bit heavier than the old 2 strokes by and large. IIRC the Honda is the lightest of the current bunch but if weight, ease of transport and storage is a real issue then go look for a decent 2nd hand 2stroke.
If simplicity,longevity and trouble free operation are important then a Seagull is the answer. My 40 Featherweight is as good as the day it left the factory in 1974. Perhaps not a good choice if you are concerned about noise though.
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Personally, if I could find one, I'd buy a decent 2nd hand Tohatsu/Mariner/Merc. 3.3/3.5hp 2str. with F & N gear.
I started a thread recently on a similar subject and received many useful comments and a lot of good advice - including the same recommendation as above. I'm pleased I did and recommend them if you can find one - cheaper, more powerful and lighter than a brand new 4-stroke 2.5hp.
Glad I read this post. I used one of the Honda 2.3 s on a flotilla holiday and felt like a right idiot, didn't get on with it at all. I guess I might have learned to love it but after two weeks I didn't.
I've for a Honda, the centrifugal clutch does make maneuvering the inflatable amusing at times (but at least the kidscan operate it), but I usually stick to using oars with the rigid tender I use going out to the mooring as crunching that is a bit more serious!
I chose the Honda as I don't get the opportunity to flush the outboard with fresh water very often (although the gearbox does get cooled by the seawater). It was 2nd hand a couple of years ago and hascbeennok so far.
Location: Notionally Argyll but normally on boat away from home
Posts: 74
Yamaha 2.5
I bought a Yamaha last year having spoken to many dealers. There was a consensus that the Yamaha 2.5 was the most reliable engine of its size. For me, the main advantage was that it could lie in several positions without the risk of oil leaks; this is important to me as I sail singlehanded and have to lower the engine into floor of the dinghy from the yacht and then climb down into the dinghy myself.
I have no experience of other engines to enable me to make a comparison but have found two major disadvantages;
1 the weight. If buying a replacement, light weight would be a major factor in my decision as the Yamaha is very heavy to lift in and out of a dinghy alone.
2 the cost of spares. I broke the top cowling assembly (the plastic cover which fits over the top part of the engine) and a replacement is £170.
If I am naughty I can get out to Sophie with just enough water to float my Bic245. This means ploughing the o/b through the mud for a bit, never worried my seagull 40 featherweight but I was worried about damaging a modern water pump and blocking the water galleries. For these reasons I went for the little Honda to replace the stolen Seagull. Yep, the clutch takes all of thirty seconds to get used to, just don't start it on a high throttle setting. Other than that, no flushing and no worry are worth the slight extra noise IMHO.
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Steve D
"ahh, an' them's that dies will be the lucky ones"
Thanks for all your helpful comments.
I guess I'll have to find somewhere to test drive this centrifugal clutch thing.
No doubt if I do it will be fine - but if I don't I'll be one of the 50% who hate it.
Honda is ****, not sure on Suzuki but i would get Mariner or Tohatsu.
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Supplier of BIC boats and inflatable kayaks. http://www.h2o-marine.co.uk
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I hace the Honda 2.3 and can confirm all of the good and bad comments above. I would add two issues that have not been mentioned. Although usually quick to start, it can take an inordinate amount of to fire if it does not respond to the usual choke and throttle settings, probably flooded but no rime or reason to the occurence. This even happens right after a service so I would suspect it is characteristic rather than tuning.
My engine also seems to deposit grease from the pivot all over surrounding surfaces during the course of a season. Damned annoying as you then have to find a way of getting into the yacht without touching anything. Thats my Victor Mildrew moment over with: Good Luck
David
Location: Solent (but never on a bank holiday weekend)
Posts: 436
Bought the old man the Suzuki. Great little engine. He is 70 now and more than happy carrying it around, nice and light, starts first time everytime. We didn't go for the Honda becasue of the price differential. Can they really be that much better?
I hace the Honda 2.3 and can confirm all of the good and bad comments above. I would add two issues that have not been mentioned. Although usually quick to start, it can take an inordinate amount of to fire if it does not respond to the usual choke and throttle settings, probably flooded but no rime or reason to the occurence. This even happens right after a service so I would suspect it is characteristic rather than tuning.
I do find mine difficult to restart if stopped quickly after running on full load, if allowed to idle for half a minute or so before stopping, or if less than full throttle has been used it restarts no problem.
Honda 2.3... we must have one of the Friday afternoon ones, judging by some of the comments above. Ours is easy to carry, lays on its side without leaking, starts easily, takes the usual abuse and neglect without complaint, and as for the centrifugal clutch we just got on with it and frankly didn't notice - it does the job. Maybe we were just lucky.
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don't just sit there, unless you're a twin keeler...
Without wishing to bang the same ol drum. I'd still go for a 2nd hand 2-stroke 2.5-3.5 ish. Tiny, powerful, reliable (yes really!) and a complete overhaul would be about 11 parts.
Tender Outboards
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