I want to put a bigger outboard on my boat. I have been offered a 4hp Suzuki 4 stroke model DF4. I believe that this motor weights 55 lbs and has a 25" shaft. This sounds fairly heavy to me and I want some other opinions on the subject. I have atttempted to race this boat and haven't been too impressed with its abilities, will this heavy engine make things even worse?
Is this too heavy an engine?
Hey Finch,
I'm putting a Tohatsu 3.5 on mine and it weighs in at 43.5 lbs. The 2 horse weighs 42 lbs., so I figured I'd rather have the extra power for a few extra pounds. Also the 2hp doesn't come in the long shaft.
-Kevin
I originally had a 4 HP 4 Stroke Tohatsu on my CP16 and it weighed in at 57lbs. It was more power than I needed and the weight became a bit of an issue withe several people on board. Traded it in on a new 3.5 2 stroke Tohasu weighing 27 lbs three years ago. This motor is perfect for the CP16. Plenty of power and very light. I keep my boat in the water all season so a light motor makes it easy to remove from inside the boat if a shear pin goes, etc.
43 lbs will be OK too, but I feel that lighter is better. The little and very light 2 hp 4 stroke Honda is as nice motor too.
My 2 cents . .
Thanks guys. I passed on the engine, it sounds too heavy and is probably way more HP than I need.
I currently have a 3/4 HP engine on it and the boat moves fairly well in calm weather. At some point, i'll upgrade to a 2HP.
I went with a 3.5 because I'll be sailing in the open bay. Barnegat bay that is and it can get a bit rough along with the tidal flow. If I was just lake sailing I most likely would have just purchased the 2 horse Honda.
-Kevin
I am sure that the 3.5 will be enough power in the bay. I have not yet seen the new 4 stroke 3.5. It is a shame the weight went up 16 lbs. Having used the 4 hp 4 stroke Tohatsu I know that the 3.5 will be powerful and quiet.
The 2 strokes went for 650- 695. I assume the 4 stroke is considerably more?
Enjoy your new "iron wind".
It was $870 on internet outboards.com
Pretty good deal.
-Kevin
Just heard from Internet Outboards and it seems Tohatsu is having some problems and the engines won't be available now until August 1st. So I canceled my order and I'm going tomorrow to my local Honda dealer and check out the 2 horse. At 27 lbs that's one light motor and I have been second guessing my choice on the 3.5 and its weight.
Plus the sooner I get a motor, the sooner I can go sailing!
-Kevin
I see many of the sweet Honda 2 hp motors in use where I sail. If I couldn't have bought the 27 lb 2 stroke Tohatsu 3.5 before they stopped making them I would have gone for the Honda. ( No impellors to change . . . another benefit!) The centrifugal clutch works nicely too.
Well after all my talk about getting a 3.5 I just bought the Honda 2 long shaft. After looking at the short and long next to each other, I went with the long. They say five inches but the short looks really short.
(http://a9.cpimg.com/image/3B/E9/58709819-9f95-01B0015A-.jpg)
Anyway I have my motor, it is a 2005 left-over and I got it for $838. Not a bad deal I say and the dealer is 10 minutes away if I ever have a problem.
Next weekend we SAIL BY THUNDA!
-Kevin
I tried my Johnson 4 hp Sailmaster 2 stroke 2 cylinder ( 1985) last week for the first time. With two people and gear it sure seemed to go beyond the CP's max hull speed and tried to get up on a plane. It weighs in at 35 lbs. and has a 23 1/2''
shaft length. I need the power for strong tidal river currents and I was happy with that performance. It hadn't been run in 15 years but after a little tweaking it seems to be reliable.
You bring up an interesting question regarding theoretical hull speed. My Tohatsu 4 HP 4 Stroke seemed to move my CP 16 way faster than the "THS". So does my current Tothatsu 3.5 2 stroke. Theoretically this is not supposed to be possible but realistically it certainly seems easily possible?
Interesting site that talks about hull speed:
http://home.golden.net/~capone1/wsc/calc.htm
Another outboard which may be of interest is the Yamaha 2.5HP long shaft. It's a four stroke and weighs in at 37lb.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/subcatspecs/5/specs.aspx
It has the "usual for small outboards" 360deg. pivot for reverse but it also has a forward/neutral lever.
The newest Honda 2hp still only offers a gear shift on the short shaft model. The long shaft has no gear shift AFAIK.
http://honda.ca/MarineEng/Models/5-2_hp/BF2.htm?page=techspecs
(http://a9.cpimg.com/image/3B/E9/58709819-9f95-01B0015A-.jpg)
Anyway I have my motor, it is a 2005 left-over and I got it for $838. Not a bad deal I say and the dealer is 10 minutes away if I ever have a problem.
Next weekend we SAIL BY THUNDA!
-Kevin
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Good luck on the maiden voyage! You have a very nice looking boat K3v1n.
Hey Kevin.
i notice you have the same adjustable motor mount i do. do you think if you had gotten the short shaft version of your 2hp honda it would work in the down position, or do you think the long shaft version is the definite way to go?
thanks man.
Dusty and Kevin,
I have the same motormount, too. I think the long shaft version is a better deal overall. I opted for the short shaft, because it was there. I had little patience at the time of purchase; a dangerous thing. However, I can say the Honda 2 HP short shaft will get you there in all but the most uncomfortable chop. I agree with Kevin, on an open bay the longer is the better choice.
But, to answer your question, when the motormount is down, all that needs to be in the water is (minus the choppy conditions).
$0.02
Just to 'weigh' in. The biggest issue with a heavy motor is that you'll end up with a lot of stern squat.
If you are racing, then that means putting weight up front to balance things out. But, thats going to hurt you in the waves. As you know, you really want to try to reduce the inertia of the bow and stern by putting the majority of the weight in the middle.
My setup is an old 4hp/2cyl Johnson I picked up for $250/used. Another $200 to get a local to give her an overhaul and she runs like new. Coming home after the Mug Race took a little over 2 gals motoring the whole way.
Thanks Paul....
my concern is with the long shaft, when the motor is not in use that it might be dragging in the water slowing the boat down under sail.
Not to worry about the prop dragging. Either the long or short shaft models will tilt up, so they won't drag. As for weight, the 2HP Honda is light weight, so not to worry about the balance of the boat.
I have a 2 hp evenrude with a short shaft and when I go forward on deck the motor will lift out of the water. The short motor will work but long is better.