Outboard motor suggestions

[Chris]

I'm thinking about replacing my old Mariner 4hp outboard. Any suggestions out there on what I should get? Things important to me are reliability, ease of starting, lighter weight, cost.

[Zephyros]

Here is my vote, based on searching in did for my Suncat:

Torqeedo Electric Motor
https://search.defender.com/?expression=Torqeedo+Bam010A

Tohatsu MFS5LPG (Propane)
https://www.tohatsu.com/outboards/5_4st_lpg.html

[Jim in TC]

I put the Torqueedo 1003 on our Sun Cat and have been impressed. Good power, reliable and of course easy to start...downside, if an issue, is range. With the larger battery, though, range would be considerable at low speed and addition of a solar panel would provide great range in daylight

[kickingbug1]

   is that mariner a 2 stroke? if it is than bring it to the clr next year and I will take it off your hands

[Salty19]

Chris,

I'm interested in the old motor if you would like to part with it.  I'll actually be in Dayton Thursday morning if you would like to hook up.

Thanks!

[Chris]

Yes, it is a 2 stroke, but I haven't decided to part with it just yet.

[Christopher]

Hey Salty and Kickingbug I think you are confusing me with the Chris that has this 2-stroke post here.  I do live near Dayton and I have attended past CLRs.  I also have a Suncat but I have a 2007 5HP Tohatsu 4 stroke engine which I'm very happy with.  I do need to repair an oil leak that I noticed up at the North Channel though.
  Chris where are you located?

Christopher,

"Second Wind"

[Salty19]

Christopher---You are right, we did mix you guys up!  Man, how rude of us--I mean, we've known you for how many years now, and we still can't get your name right?

I hear the Yamaha 4hp 4 strokes are pretty nice--if I were to buy a new one, that's the one I would look at.   IMO Yamaha makes the best outboards available.  Parts are easy to find, service centers are everywhere and they just run and run and run.

The torqueedos look great too.  If you don't need a lot of range and can keep the batteries charged between uses, they look appealing.

[mr.jadkowski]

I have two motors for my 16: a 50 lb thrust trolling motor that I got on Craigslist for $75 (with a Group 31 deep cycle battery), and a 2 hp long shaft Honda BF2D. I have to say, I greatly prefer the trolling motor. It pushes the 16 at a little over 3 knots in complete silence. It's light, doesn't leak, and works 100% of the time. The 2 HP outboard will push the 16 at hull speed at half throttle, and certainly has a longer range, but it is loud, occasionally won't start or stalls, and tends to leak gas in my car. Considering I paid 4x for the Honda compared to the trolling motor, if I had to pick one it would be the trolling motor for sure.

[Roland of Macatawa]

A note of caution: I have a Tohatsu 6hp Sailpro outboard on my SunDayCat. It's motor head is so large, compared to that of a 2 stroke engine, that it does not play well with my factory adjustable motor mount. Only in one vertical position, above that which is used for motoring, is it possible to tip the head forward to raise the propeller out of the water. In all other positions, there is insufficient clearance between the motor head either to the adjustment handle of the motor mount or to the transom. It appears that the motor mount was originally designed for an outboard with a smaller motor head. I intend to modify the motor mount over the winter before next season.

[cdflan]

My vote is for the Torqeedo.  Have the Cruise 4 which can power to hull speed in my Horizon Cat which is the best auxiliary power plant I've ever had.  The ease of use, reliability, quiet, no fuel is great.  Downside is cost.

[Finbar Beagle]

I am big Torqeed supporter. 

I use a 1003 long on my CP19 and a 503 short on my Picnic Cat.
The 503, I found on Craigslist for $200.  Rare find with working battery.
For the 19, I had to add batteries to extend range.  Now I always sail with at least 2 batteries.

The 1003 and 503 use same battery.

The cruise looks great, but already committed to the travel series batteries.