Need advice on outboards

[Potcake boy]

Happy to hear it's up and running. Now you can replace that headache with some sailing time. Enjoy

[DanM]

I'll pass on one bit of outboard advice. My SunCat came with a 2001 Honda 5 hp 4-stroke. I should add that I'm not much of an internal-combustion mechanic. When my motor quit last year, I took it to marine service place, where they somewhere sourced up a replacement carb and changed it out. The problem was that the delicate little mechanism for the choke had broken. As I left the place with my motor, I asked the mechanic if he had any general advice for me and he replied, "Yes, be less manly with the choke."

[moonlight]

Batteries.
3 years.
Can't argue with that, but some go 5 or 7 years.

Battery.
Can argue there.

It's an electrical SYSTEM.  Never ever replace one battery unless it's the only battery.  If you have a pair, a weak one will drag down a strong one.  A 3 year old one and a new one will quickly both behave as a 3 year old one unless kept isolated.  In which case it's no longer a system.

[notbob]

I'll add some comments for the next person doing research;

I recommend K100, available from NAPA, to combat ethanol issues and stabilize gas for storage.

In the event that you might not know, stabil, and most other additives, are good for two years from the time you open it, not from the time you add it to gasoline. 

For those looking for non-ethanol, pure-gas.org has a searchable database (user-updated.) If there is no place close, you can mix ethanol gasoline with fresh water, and the ethanol will transfer from the gasoline into the water, at which point you can separate the water/ethanol suspension and have non-ethanol gas.  This is the most cost effective method of procuring non-ethanol these days.

Safe bets are gas stations near race tracks, municipal airports, and some marinas.

Regarding outboard choices, there is a minimal weight difference (2 pounds) between the 4/5/6hp model Tohatsus.  The sailpro models add a charging kit and a special pitched prop, but preclude the addition of an internal tank.  If you don't need the "extra long" version of the sailpro, the best bet the way I can figure is to buy the regular MFS6CDL with the integral tank, and then add the charging kit and the sailpro prop.  This would give you the option of not carrying a gas can during shorter day cruises or carrying the external for extended trips, plus the charging and the prop pitch.

[brackish]

If I were in the market I would buy a Tohatsu Sail Pro made for propane.  It was not available when I got my gas model.  Only about a hundred bucks more than the gasoline model, it should eliminate all the problems with the little carbs.  And the problems do not come from just fuel choice, I've never used anything but non ethanol in mine and changed out any tank that got over 6 months old.  Mine still got clogged recently from that very fine dust that dirt daubers make when they nest under the cowl.  Took two cleanings to get it right again.  Caused the cancellation of a cruise. 

The Sail Pro propane model produces 5 hp with the 6 hp displacement gasoline model cylinder.  The head is different and they supply the mixer and safety shutoff equipment.  All the other parts are stock Sail Pro. The HP reduction probably comes from the BTU difference in the fuels.  Supposedly will run for 5 hours at WOT with an 11 lb. cylinder which will fit the fuel locker easily.

If you plan to motor hundreds of hours a year, the difference in the fuel price will be a factor.  I use about 5 gallons of gas a year so the $15 or so a year I would have to spend for reliability is well worth it.

You could consider a Lehr, however they do not have the dealer and service network that Tohatsu/Nissan has.  They are also considered by some to be of questionable quality.  I have no personal experience with them, but my Sail Pro has been totally reliable with the exception of the delicate carb.

[notbob]

Where you cruise is equally important, as propane is not as readily available as gas in some places.