Which outborder for the 16?

[Ludwig]

Ok, i went to this marine shop and they told me the new mariner/mercury fourstrokes with 3.5 HP (there is also a 2.5 HP version but only short shaft) will be delivered in germany not before june. The guy couldn´t tell me nothing about noise, handling, do they have "turnable gas grip" etc.

Are these engines already available in the US, and if yes, did anyone of you use or buy or see these engines in action? This could help me making the waiting bearable...

Ludwig, Hamburg, germany

[Gil Weiss]

Hi Ludwig,

It appears that Tohatsu is no longer making or selling the small line of 2 strokes. They have been replaced by 4 strokes. There is a new 3.5 4 stroke out or coming out very soon. Since Mercury's 3.5 and 2.5 in the past were really Tohatsus, I assume these will be too.

My recent trip to a West Marine  here that has always displayed the Mercury (Tohatsu) line of small outboards had neither the old or the new 3.5. Only the existing 5 HP and up 4 Strokes.

That's what I know about this suject as of today. . .

[K3v1n]

I have been watching the Internet Outboards site and have seen the  Tohatsu's 3.5 go from being available in March to now the third week of May. The date keeps getting pushed back so I'm waiting before I order anything.

http://internetoutboards.com/partdetail.asp?id=450

[Gil Weiss]

While , on one hand, I have had very good success with Tohatsu outboards, on the other hand I wonder if buying one of the first few motors out on a brand new design is a good idea?

[Dan Hill]

I sail mostly on smaller inland lakes.  I use a Minn kota 50 lb. thrust 12v trolling motor.  Works great: 5 forward speeds, 3 reverse, long shaft, telescoping tiller, and no noise.

[GrFa]

I asked Com-Pac and they recommended something around 2hp with a long shaft, the lighter the better. We have a p.o.s. twin cylinder 4hp 2 stroke evinrude "yachtwin" that never runs. I have been looking at the 2hp Honda and 2.5hp Mercury.