choosing a motor

[jdanton]

I'll be the proud owner of a 15' sailboat next spring, and I've been looking at outboards. 4 cycle is preferable.<br /><br />So far, I've looked at Honda, Nissan, Johnson, and Mercury I suspect Nissan makes the Mercurys, or visa versa, as they have the same models.<br /><br />I think the 2 hp Honda is too small. Anyone have any thoughts on right amount of power? Motor will clamp right on transom; short shaft.

 

[Belchy]

Re: choosing a motor

Four strokes are good, problem is they are heavy. All of the above seem really good makes, for hp. I would recommend about a 4hp.<br /><br />Belchy

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: choosing a motor

All the Mercurys up through 30 hp are now made by Tohatsu. A 4 hp or 3.5 hp would be a good choice.

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: choosing a motor

you may also want to take into consideration the Gearbox (Shift, No-shift)

 

[yater]

Re: choosing a motor

Look into the tohatsu. They are great motors and usually cheaper than the rest.

 

[Booner]

Re: choosing a motor

jdanton: <br />Just being technical here. Motors are electric and engines are internal combustion. <br />I don’t know why they call them motorcycles though with internal combustion engines.<br />You wont go wrong with any outboard that you asked about, but I would go with the Honda.

 

[mjbrueck]

Re: choosing a motor

If you're always keeping the outboard on the transom, 4-stroke is fine. If you'll be stowing the outboard, I'd get a 2-stroke.<br /><br />For displacement boats, you need about 1 hp per 400 pounds. I'd round up a hp or two, since you'll have a good bit of windage with a sailboat. Despite what anyone says (there's always someone), more hp does not overcome current at displacement speeds.

 

[ratracer]

Re: choosing a motor

BTW the 4 HP Johnson is a repainted Suzuki. IMO either that or the Tohatsu would be good choices; both also have F-N-R shifting as well. The 3.5B Tohatsu 2-stroke and its rebadged brethren might be another option because it weights more than 20 lbs less than the 4 strokes (and maybe vibrate less?), although you'll have to do the 180 degree pivot in lieu of a R shift. <br /><br />I wouldn't go with a 2 HP.