Dinghy Motor

[dave6330]

We are considering options to power our new dinghy and would like to know what folks think about the differences (if any) between the various brands of small outboards. We're looking in the 2.5 hp range and the three brands available locally are Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha. What think you?

[tager]

Oars.

[Ilenart]

My brother use to work in an education dept boatshed where the outboards ran just about everyday. The brand they used the most were Mercury's. I picked up an old 5HP 4 stroke that they were selling and it has run no probelms.

I also think the Suzuki and Yamaha are also good brands.

Ilenart

[sailingdog]

FYI—Mercury's small outboards are made by Tohatsu, as are the small Nissans.

I like the small Tohatsu/Mercury/Nissans, and have the Tohatsu 3.5 HP four-stroke. At under 40 lbs., it is pretty easy to handle. Doesn't have a reverse gear though.

What size/type/make dinghy are you planning on putting it on?

Originally Posted by dave6330

We are considering options to power our new dinghy and would like to know what folks think about the differences (if any) between the various brands of small outboards. We're looking in the 2.5 hp range and the three brands available locally are Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha. What think you?

[dave6330]

It's a mercury inflatable that came with our new (used) Pearson. I think it's in the 9 foot range. Any opinions on the Suzuki?

[tommays]

IMHP which one has the best LOCAL dealer because there all pretty close in quality

[mgmhead]

Local service can be a factor. Purchase price is a consideration too. Recently I chose the Suzuki 2.5 hp for its comparatively light weight. I also wanted water cooling, below water surface exhaust and a neutral gear. That ruled out the Honda 2 hp air cooled. I know others with Mercury and Yamaha engines and they are very happy with them. Probably not a wrong decision to be made of the models you've list. Just try to select the one that best suits your personal needs.

Regards...MGM

[huguley3]

I just got a 2.5 Yamaha for my 8ish foot inflatable. I was looking for the lightest one possible but the local yamaha dealer not being filled with dinks was the reason I went with that brand. I looked all over the internet and could not really find much info on the smaller outboards beyond people having a personal favorite.

A friend got a Nissan 6.5 and he really likes it. It looked to me like that black paint would get pretty hot to the touch but his lives on his fishing boat so he does not have to carry it around. The grey Yamaha coloring gets hot enough in the sun. Probly not a big issue where you are though.

If you have a must have item maybe you can narrow the search down a bit but from what I saw they all seem pretty much the same.

[OldColumbia]

Dear Dave,
I had relative success with the Tohatsu/Nisaan 3.5B two stoke and a West Marine/Zodiac PVC rollup since the concern was always weight of the combination to hoist on davits.
Tha drawbacks with the Tohatsu was the internal tank which was always difficult to fill with a hand held tank and nozzle, even with a funnel, while standing over the transom or turning the engine around so the rear tank end was inboard of the bobbing dinghy and the ease with which the carb would foul making for hard starts.
IMHO the Suzuki DT4 which is the older ( '94 on) two stroke if you can find a used one is a good idea because it has both interior and exterior tanks, facility for remote throttle and steering, good parts availability on line and all the features of a higher HP outboard, but not the cost of a Yamaha, or Honda.
It won't plane a dink full of people or groceries and ice, but will start consistently with low weight and maintenance.