Choosing an Outboard Motor For Your Dinghy

30 decades ago American manufacturers dominated the outboard motor current market.Names these kinds of as Mercury, Johnson, Evinrude and Chrysler, led the field competing with every other to create bigger and greater outboard engines. However, whilst this was heading on they have been neglecting the smallest of the outboards. These are the outboard motors that provide in the best of figures and are often the initially outboard a lot of of us, obtain. This becoming the circumstance many of us adhere to the identical manufacturer (model loyalty) as we invest in other greater outboards around the many years. The Japanese seized on this fact and slowly Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Tohatsu concentrating on small outboards commenced to get above as sector leaders. They achieved this domination by strengthening performance and trustworthiness. As nicely as incorporating functions to these small outboards earlier only uncovered on larger engines.

Acquiring accomplished achievement in the compact outboard industry, these Japanese suppliers expanded up the power selection. They once more arrived to dominate the outboard motor industry up to at the very least 20 hp. The American suppliers alternatively of competing with the Japanese, gave up and made the decision to invest in these engines from the Japanese and badge them as their very own. Now the Chinese have entered the current market. Basically executing what the Japanese did formerly, copying the very best features of the existing engines and at the exact time trying to keep fees down.

So permit us look at the outboards that are on present for these on the lookout for an outboard motor for their dinghy. If we get a pretty bigger dinghy say, a Pioner 12, so that just about every outboard has to force a fairly hefty weight by the drinking water. If we then take the pursuing outboard motors :

Mercury 2.5hp Mercury 3.5hp Mariner 2.5hp Tohatsu 3.5hp Yamaha 2.5hp Suzuki 2.5hp Honda 2.3hp and a Parsun 2.6hp. All these outboards are 4 stroke engines. This is due to an E.U. Directive that helps prevent 2 strokes from becoming bought in the E.U. These outboards will provide a pretty large vary of engines obtainable on the sector, for powering dinghies.

To judge just one motor against the a further numerous tests have been finished. A Bollard pull test showed that the Mercury 3.5hp and Tohatsu 3.5hp were the most potent at 90lbs of thrust (These two engines together with the Mariner are practically similar). The minimum effective was the Honda 2.3hp at 66lbs of thrust. In in between ended up the Suzuki 2.5hp at 83lbs of thrust, the Yamaha 2.5hp at 78lbs of thrust and the Parsun 2.6hp at 70 lbs of thrust.

Subsequent check was Gas Consumption. At whole velocity – 5.75 knots, the finest outboards had been the Yamaha 2.5hp and the Suzuki 2.5hp by at the very least 20%. The worst was the Parsun 2.6hp. When the throttles have been eased and the dinghy was cruising the Fuel Consumption comparison was considerably less obvious, only about 10% difference. All these figures are for 4 stroke engines. On the other hand, based mostly on figures formerly recorded for 2 strokes under identical situation, the older engines had been up to 50% fewer gasoline efficient at full pace. Very thirsty! Try to remember 2 stroke outboards are however accessible next hand.

Then the excess weight of every single outboard motor was compared. 4 stroke engines are heavier than more mature 2 strokes due to the fact of the powerhead etc. The Mercury, Mariner, Tohatsu, Yamaha and Parsun all weighed approx. 38 – 41 lbs (18 kg.). On the other hand, the Honda 2.3hp and Suzuki 2.5hp weighed a great deal considerably less at 28 lbs (12.5 kg.).

The value of every outboard motor was then in comparison. This was tough to be exact as special discounts and sale provides are always switching.

Mercury 3.5hp £449
Mercury 2.5hp £380
Mariner 2.5hp £429
Tohatsu 3.5hp £449
Yamaha 2.5hp £489
Suzuki 2.5hp £379
Honda 2.3hp £429
Parsun 2.6hp £375

Although the Parsun was the lowest priced and it is just about identical the exact motor as in the Yamaha 2.5hp, it is not as good. It is a bit like me adhering to a Gordon Ramsay recipe, to the letter, but when when compared facet by side you just know that his is heading to be that a lot better. The Chinese are equipped to copy, just like the Japanese did ahead of them, but they have not acquired it ideal, nonetheless!

Finally a little about every single outboard analyzed. The Mercury, Mariner and Tohatsu are the identical motor. Setting up options for the throttle are uncomplicated to have an understanding of with the choke and end button evidently labelled. The petrol on/off faucet is not so clearly marked. All these motors have gears. Forward and neutral then using the 360 degree rotation you can get astern thrust. There are 4 tilt positions and a shallow water skill. Oil concentrations can be quickly checked by viewing the indicator on the side of the engine include.

The Yamaha 2.5hp also experienced conveniently comprehended starting and stopping settings but the oil stage gauge was out of sight less than the engine casing protect. As with the Mercury outboard the Yamaha 2.5hp has gears, ahead and neutral with 360 diploma rotation. Not like the Mercury which has a shear pin, the Yamaha has a rubber hub at the propeller, so no shear pin to break.

The Suzuki 2.5hp is as previously mentioned but with the oil gauge conveniently viewed at the facet of the protect. The propeller has a shear pin with spares stowed under the engine go over.

The Honda 2.3hp is not drinking water cooled like all the other outboards analyzed. It is aircooled and has no gears. As an alternative it makes use of a centrifugal clutch. This will make setting up and maneuvering extra tough than the others. It just will take a little bit of acquiring employed to it. The oil gauge is out of sight less than the cover. The propeller has a shear pin with spares stored beneath the engine deal with.

At last the Parsun 2.6hp, a duplicate of the Yamaha 2.5hp but not as superior. However it is the lowest priced engine when new. Gasoline consumption was its largest attract back again.