NSW
190 posts
Thinking of getting a smaller outboard for my inflatable - at the moment I have a mercury 7hp which is borrowed from a friend who doesn't use it, it's a bit over powered for the inflatable but the motors are so expensive!
Any suggestion on manufacture, place to buy (apart from ebay, size and any experiences with the imports.
NSW
203 posts
Keith,
I recently purchased one of the Chinese outboards from ebay. It was one of the 3 hp, water cooled models. At the time brand outboards were around $1000, the ebay Chinese one was $250, so I decided to gamble.
The outboard was fitted with a centrifugal clutch, this needed very high revs to engage and there was virtually no low speed operation available.
The outboard ran for a about 15 minutes, and started to run hot, to a point where the cowling was starting to deform with the heat. I hit the kill switch, that did not work and the motor continued to rev. Cowling continued to deform to a point where I could see the plastic fuel tank. I managed to stop the thing, by closing the choke. The supplier did refund my money.
A couple of weeks later I purchased a Yamaha 2 hp. Great little outboard, very light and adequate power for my 2.6 m inflatable.
I suppose that you might be lucky and save some money with the cheaper motors. One the other hand you might be unlucky, be unable to stop the thing and get badly burnt if the fuel tank melted!
QLD
12365 posts
The Mariner/Mercury/Tohatsu 4 and 5 hp engines are great little single pot units and should still get your 3m inflatable up on the plane.
My Mariner 4 hp would push my 23 foot Windrush Wildfire trailer sailer along at 7 knots no problem.
I reckon that engine is just an updated Seagull.
If you are going less than 6 hp, don't waste your time or money on a two cylinder engine.
NSW
608 posts
I bought a Yamaha 2.3 for one boat dollar ($1K). Have only used a few times. Light enough to lift up to stern rail, goes fast enough to get me around small distances (though it can't be said that it's fun), and has integrated fuel tank and takes normal unleaded. Plastic prop can be dinged on rocks. No reverse but possible to swivel around. Auto clutch so neutral at low revs - open throttle to go.
My first outboard so can't compare by experience.
NSW
2140 posts
Old proverb........
A used Japanese outboard on the transom is worth two new Chinese ones in the shop.
VIC
344 posts
I've seen a few good deals on gumtree around the $300 area. I wouldn't buy new, just get an old 2/3Hp mercury, suzuki or yamaha. All good brands. I would also consider the availability of parts - don’t buy an uncommon model.
My cousin bought a unused second hand 2hp mercury on gumtree for around $200, crazy cheap and hasn't missed a beat.
