New motor- B&S?

[coleman kayak1]

Greetings all-<br />I'm looking for a new small (<6) outboard. I'm on a very low budget; therefore I would like a relatively low cost engine, that also gets good gas mileage. I was looking at the Briggs and Stratton, is that a good engine? thanks in advance.

 

[orca]

Re: New motor- B&S?

There have been many posts regarding the B&S. Use the search button at the top of the page.<br />In a nutshell. The B& S is noisy, has a weak gearbox and is not suitable for use in salt water. Otherwise OK

 

[Guest]

Re: New motor- B&S?

I've seen a couple of them in use but have not actually been on the boats that had them. I thought they sounded okay. Yes they were a little louder than a regular motor but not all that bad. For the money, they seem alright. <br /><br />Have you considered a used conventional motor? You can often find good deals on them.<br /><br />Good luck, Bill

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: New motor- B&S?

I think you would be better off with a used 2-stroke. They are great on gas and very reliable if maintained properly. I have seen a few of the Brigs motors and I would say that they are very loud and poorly made. I don't even think they have a tilt lock to keep the motor up.

 

[JB]

Re: New motor- B&S?

I'm with B.Gagnon, CK.<br /><br />You would be a lot better off and get a better value with a JohnnyRude 3 to 6hp from the 60s to the 80s.

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: New motor- B&S?

Yeah, I do beileve that the JohnnyRudes form the 60's to 80's are good, but I have already had one. Given it wasn't in perfect condition, but it had stange behavior. Some days it would run without a hitch. Others it wouldn't start. Others it made me row 5 miles to shore.<br />All thats behind me now, and I will consider the suggestion. But, I really think a four-stroke will meet my needs better. Given, the B&S isn't that quiet because of the above-water exhaust, but still, 0.5 gal/hr at WOT is hard to beat. And, judging by the prices of new two or four stroke engines, 700 is astronomical. As a closing argument, I have always had good luck with briggs and stratton engines. I would still appreciate some more comments though, like if I don't go with B&S, would would be low-cost. Thanks again for all your help

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New motor- B&S?

I've had one for 2 years with no problems. The motor looks fragile and I treat it that way. It's worked for me so far. BTW the motor is quite strong for a 5hp, I'm guessing it's closer to 7 or 8hp. <br /><br />Whaley, why do you say it has a weak gearbox? Just wondering, have you seen a failure?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: New motor- B&S?

As Drowned Rat attests, it does the job. If it's anything like my B&S lawnmower engines, it should easily start every time out. One of my gripes when I looked at one was that there are quite a few exposed plastic parts. You really need to be careful not to bang these up in transport. I suppose you can always make a box for it if you do transport it often by car/truck.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: New motor- B&S?

I,ve had 3 or 4 mowers in the same time as just one real small outboard, I got it used and the outboard gets far more use. I would stay away from the B&S, not because I think it's bad, I just don't thinks its that good. You can buy good used small outboards all day long for $700.00, if you find a deal, maybe 300 to 400 bucks. I would not want to hang onto a loud, vibrating small motor even if it was only using 0.5 GPH. I think you will be much happier with a real OB.<br /><br />If you want a small OB to run well (you said your's didn't), it needs to be taken care of and tuned up every now and then, if you don't want to, or can't work on it, then take it to a shop, they will have a small motor running great pretty fast.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New motor- B&S?

If you want a small OB to run well (you said your's didn't), it needs to be taken care of and tuned up every now and then,

Same goes for the Briggs. In my opinion a well taken care of B&S will last forever. I've pulled old dirty lawnmowers out of sheds, covered in dirt with oil the color of thick mollases and they start on the 2nd or 3rd pull after replacing the old gas. They're actually quite well built motors.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: New motor- B&S?

CK1,it sounds like you have already talked yourself into getting thge B&S so get it already and let us know how you like it.

 

[jjbuoni]

Re: New motor- B&S?

i looked at the B&S; but wanted a long shaft which was considerably more than the price of a short shaft. So I found a dealer clearing out 2005 2 strokes and bought a 5hp merc. Now this is a 1 cylinder motor but works just fine as a kicker on my 14' boat.