I purchased my Yamaha 3 when they first came out over 30 years ago and they are still the same motor, just a slightly darker grey. It has never missed a beat and I still use it on my dingy. I asked my Yamaha dealer mate if it was still under warranty and he said because I never got the first service it's no longer covered. The only repairs in 30 years is a pump impeller and a fresh coat of paint. Still the original spark plug. I originally purchased the 3hp because it had a neutral position for my kids when they were little and learning to drive. 30 years on and I am now teaching my grand kids to drive with the same motor.

We have had a Yamaha 3hp for several yeras now. As Jode5 says, the neutral is a bonus. We had had a 2hp Yamaha in the past and it was also a great motor. The 3hp is just so much more versatile.
It might not sound much but there is a 50% power difference and it's quite noticible.

My Yamaha 3hp is great, tiller throttle, reliable and quieter than most other brands. The Yamaha 3 is also about 3kg (25%) heavier than the Mercury/Tohatsu 3.3 range with motor throttle, but all have safety and convenience of neutral gear. Compared to a 3hp, having the 2hp on a dinghy or inflatable is like powering your tender with a bamix. But, it'll still get you out to the yacht, and if it's choppy, the tender's bobbing up and down, and you're trying to get the OBM up onto the pushpit bracket, the 2hp will go easy, while the 3hp is more likely to spear through the bottom of your dinghy or go for a dive. Fuelled up, the 3hp is almost 6kg (40%) heavier than the 2hp.

My Chiropractor recommends the 2hp, but he doesn't sail...

The 2 hp Yamaha is about 12 kilos (This is all from memory, i haven't sold Yamahas new for around 12 years) and the 3hp is 16.5 kilos.

The 3 however has a twist grip throttle and as said a gear box with forward and neutral.

Also the prop on the 3 hp is a splined bush instead of the 2hp runs a shear pin.

The 3 has a 2 clip cowling and it pops of for easy cleaning.

The 3 hp Yamaha rocks and is rather hard to beat. Hence why so many people use them..

I find the extra weight is a bit offset by the handles that make it easier to lift and carry, not as oar quad as the 2hp..

Hope that helps.

Quick edit: Also both these engines are designed to run on 100:1 fuel to oil ratio. So very smooth and quiet considering.

Hi all

Thanks for your thoughts

If i understand correctly the 2 doesn't have a neutral position so it is always driving the prop when running and also the throttle is mounted on the engine not on the tiller

Is this correct

Regards Don