Motor Reviews

[Cats Paw]

I am in the market to power up the Compac 16 with a new 4 cycle 3-3.5 h.p.  Long Shaft  FN shifting.. I am looking your valued opinions and input. Suggested manufacturer name etc.  I have come across a number of Neg. reviews for the Mercury 3.5 at this time. Has anyone ever purchased a motor via the internet?  Suggest any particular on-line seller to check out. The local dealers in my are have been a couple of hundred dollars higher in price compared to products that I have come across on-line. I am concerned if purchased on-line that  I my be in for a whirl locally for warranty work if need be."go get it fixed from where you bought it attitude" Lets here from you all.

[atrometer]

Some use a 2 HP air cooled Honda and find it very adequate.  I've purchased 2 Tohatsu outboards from OnlineOutboards.com.  Cheap with free shipping.  If you want a larger outboard, I wouldn't consider anything but Tohatsu.  They  make more small outboards that anyone including many for other manufacturers.  Many Japanese fisherman use them.  Their 4 HP has an alternator option.

[Mike K]

Last year, I also bought a 4HP Japanese built Tohatsu from OnlineOutboards.com.  (Tohatsu also makes all the small Nissans and Mercury outboards)  There were absolutely no issues with purchasing it, billing or delivery.  I think they ship them from Tennessee.

By the way I like the long shaft 4HP Tohatsu for pushing my Com-Pac Legacy, which is about the same size and weight as your CP16.  It has plenty of power for my boat, and I can make hull speed on about a quarter throttle.  The engine is very fuel efficient.  It has a little gas tank built into the outboard, which lasts a little over an hour or so.  I have a tiny 1 gal. backup gas can on board in case I ever do run dry.   This version has the option to plumb it up to a larger remote tank, but I find the built-in tank is great for daysailing.  The motor does vibrate a bit (don't all single cylinders?) but is very quiet.

The only issue with it, is it's a little heavy.  The 4, 5 and 6HP engines are all exactly the same design except for the carburetors (and the price).  Therefore, the 4hp is a little larger and sturdier than it needs to be as it was designed for the greater output the 6HP needs.  However, all the 4HP and larger engines have a reverse gear, which I need, as it's hard to reach the outboard on my boat (Legacies have boom gallows that impede access to the rear).  The engines smaller than 4HP do not have a reverse gear, and you need to spin the entire motor around to go backwards.  That wasn't practical on my boat.

As for getting the outboard fixed, I don't think this will be a big issue.  Since most of the smaller outboards are made by Tohatsu anyway, there should be adequate parts and knowledge around by anyone fixing Nissans and Mercury engines.  If you want a "non Tohatsu" engine, I think you'll be looking at small Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki brands, which tend to be more expensive, and in my experience, less abundant on the water and less dealers.

[Cats Paw]

Thanks for your time on the input sailors.   

[moonlight]

They're still "entering" the market, but for light use and NO fuel issues w/ carbs or ethanol the Lehr Propane outboards just can't be beat.  And there was a recent post here also about Torqueedo electric ...