Maximum outboard motor weight

[finchm]

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?

[K3v1n]

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

[Gil Weiss]

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 . .

[finchm]

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.

[K3v1n]

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

[Gil Weiss]

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".

[K3v1n]

It was $870 on internet outboards.com
Pretty good deal.

-Kevin

[K3v1n]

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

[Gil Weiss]

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.

[K3v1n]

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.



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

[Denis]

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.

[Gil Weiss]

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?

[finchm]

Interesting site that talks about hull speed:

http://home.golden.net/~capone1/wsc/calc.htm

[NormD]

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

[NormD]

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

Good luck on the maiden voyage! You have a very nice looking boat K3v1n.