Outboard for inflatable

[Randygh]

I purchased a 7'6" inflatable that I will mount on my swimstep with Weaver davits. I need to purchase an engine for it and have been looking at a 2.2 hp, 4 stroke Honda and a 3.5 hp, 2 stroke Tohatsu. Does anyone have a preference of 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke small engine? The Honda is forced air cooled vs. the water cooled Tohatsu. They weigh the same. I'm leaning toward the Tohatsu but wonder what you think. Mixing oil and gas is no big deal for me.

[sunnydude2]

I read that the 2 stroke actually gives you more power. I found a 4 hp suzuki 2 stroke for my 9' inflatable. I would get the most HP you can and for the weight the 2 strokes have it.

Does anyone have a preference of 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke small engine? The Honda is forced air cooled vs. the water cooled Tohatsu.

I might weigh the future value (and ability to use) the 2 stroke motor down the road. they're getting tougher every year on 2 cycle emmissions and many lakes won't allow them now. I think it's only a matter of time before every lake (especially water supplies) ban them entirely.

Just think at 50:1, 2% of that gallon of gas is going straight onto the waters surface (as bypassed lubricant oil). It's one of the ecology viewpoints I agree with.

I'd go with the 4 stroke.

(I know they're heavier, more expensive.. but the run smoother, quieter, cleaner and will hold their value better)

Tohatsus are nice but the small Honda engine has a great reputation. In my mind air cooling is a plus; it should last forever. One of the freebie Puget Sound boating magazines has an article this month on the Honda. The guy that wrote it loved the motor.

Raul

[Go Aweigh2452]

Like Gene said... I'd go with 4 stroke also. You will not have to carry a separate fuel oil mix around and they are much quieter and less smoke. As far as power... I don't think it will be noticable...

[Tedster]

4 cycle 4hp any company the best way to go. Ted :D

[SPUD]

Strap the 250 HP Suzuki on it !
:P
Spud

[Tedster]

Hey Spud great to see you back, must be busy 'eh?! Ted :D

[Randygh]

I was visiting with a boating friend yesterday. Last summer he purchased a new inflatable and motor at a Seattle store that specialized in inflatables etc. The salesman told him not to purchase a 4 cycle kicker motor if he planned on storing it in a non-upright position. I'd never thought about storage, but I know at times I'll store the motor I plan to buy in a non-upright position. Any thoughts about storing a 4 cycle with crankcase oil in an non-upright (laid down on it's side) position?

[coolchange]

here is 2 cents more....I got the tohatsu last summer and have no complaints other that the one I got has no gears...if its on its moving forward. If I had read the arguement about the environmental issue I probably would not go this way but since I have it I like it...I lay it flat inside the rear seat and keep a 1 gal mix along with me whenever taking a little trip...PS in Oregon if you put a motor on you have to register, I've read that in WA that is not the case if used as a tender.

[Kuredu]

Randy,

My Mercury 9.9 4-stroke can be stored flat on one side only. They were VERY specific to let me know this. It usually stands upright on a dolly at home but when I have to store it on the boat it goes into the lazarette (below the cockpit) on it's side.

[3788sam]

We have a Nissan 5hp 2 stroke. I store it in the engine compartment on it's side, upside down, on it's back how ever I can make it fit and it gets pretty shaken up down there.
Always starts with no problems.
Down side noisy and Smokey - not environmentally friendly at all!
Coolchange it is nice to have reverse and neutral
:D

[heymagic]

I would go 2 stroke for a variety of reasons, biggest being weight, then cost, then stowage. We have a 3.3 Merc ( Tohatsu/Nissan) has N&F, can lay it anywhere. Also have a 3 or 3.5 Yamaha and a 3 Evinrude , both for sale soon. It'll be a long, long time before EPA gets involved with outlawing motors on the sound, maybe some small private lakes will have issues though. We had a new 4 hp Yamaha 4 stroke...it was as noisy as the 3.3 Merc, which isn't really noisy, vibrated more and had less ooompf, and weighed about 20 lbs more. Sold it fast as I could...

[Randygh]

THANKS everyone for your comments. I'll be purchasing a short shaft, 3.5 hp Tohatsu with F-N. Best price I've found is $645.00 which includes shipping. Interesting how the Nissan name costs ~$15.00 more for the exact engine.

[3788sam]

Mabey they use better glue on the Nissan Sticker :lol:

[Go Aweigh2452]

Isn't Mariner the same as Honda too?

[heymagic]

Mariner is either Yamaha or Merc depending on the size....I think.

[Tedster]

Merc