tophatyachts.com

Hi Guys and Ladies,

I am looking for a suitable 2- 4hp OB for my Inflatable tender. Tender is a 2.3 Sirocco.
Any ideas or availabilities?

Russell (Irishwolf)

Hi,
I have had a little Yamaha 3hp, about 3 or 4 years old and it has performed faultlessly. Only time it stopped was when it ran out of fuel. A 2 stroke is ideal because you can pack it in the car, lay it on it's side and it will still function. A 4 stroke will be quieter, a bit dearer, but unless it is of the new pedigree they don't like being stored in anything but the upright position. Be sure to turn the fuel supply off before stopping the motor to let all the fuel in the carby burn off so it won't go off if left for too long.
Make sure that your fuel/oil ratio is accurate and all should be good.
Don't bother getting anything too old, it's not worth the extra mucking around. Should get a real good one for about $500 or so???

Have a think about how you're going to use it. The most difficult time with an OBM (except when it won't start) is getting it off or onto your tender from your TH in chopppy water at the end of a long day. A newish Honda 2.5hp 4 stroke weighs 19kg with some fuel in the integral tank, a Mariner/Mercury 3.3hp weighs 18kg, and a Yamaha 4hp weights 25kg - quite a difference when you're in a wobbly inflatable, hanging on and swinging it onto the tender. Depending on if/where/when you're overnighting, theft is a significant risk and you probably want both obm and tender on your TH.

Some newer small obms have Reverse/Neutral/Forward, others just N/F (or a centrifugal clutch) or F only, so its going as soon as you fire it up. Rotating the smaller ones such as Mariner 3.3 to go in reverse can be exciting, and with no gearbox - a constantly rotating prop - its more of a risk if kids are around.

I've used a Mariner 3.3 for a few years, bullet proof and light, the only down side being the fixed gear.

has any ony used the 2.5 hp Yamaha 2 stroke? it is about 10 kg.

Dave

Dave,

I have one, brought second hand. It goes well and is so simple you can make basic repairs/adjustments in the field.

Only one downside, you got to use it or you loose it!

You must start it at LEAST MONTHLY!

At present it is under the care of LONGDEEPTHINKER.

Phillip
On the Wallaby 40km west of Toowoomba.

I have a 2009 model 2hp 2-stroke Yamaha.

The problems I've had with it are:
1. Letting it go for a dive. I stripped it and rebuilt it (bearings and seals) myself - there's not much to them.
2. Starting problems on very cold days - because dumb-bum here didn't give it full choke. Now starts first pull no matter how cold.

So you can see it survives the treatment a clod like me can dish out. It weighs just under 10kg and is very easy to carry and lift from dinghy to yacht and back - at 62 I couldn't do this with a heavier motor. Of course after the dive, it is firmly tethered during any transfer. It lies on its side in the station wagon and doesn't leak petrol and cause a pong.

It pushes me around in a 2.4m long FG tender and a 2.4m inflatable - flat out with just me in it, the tender will get up to (I think) around 5 knots, and the blow-up a bit faster.

I got it through eBay for a great price ($250 plus $50 freight) and I love it.

Graeme

Thank for the info,
I have ordered a new 2HP yamaha for the tender.
I was not a good rower, some how with every stroke I went round in circles. This was not helped by Rosie laughing her head off at my attemps to pull straight. A man has only so much pride!!
Now she can laugh at my attemps to start the Yamaha! (which I can blame on bad fuel if I need to) pride in tact.
Dave

We have a 2.5 mariner, there has never been a issue, apart from running aground and braking the shear pin. It goes flat out across the river 2-4 times a week and has done for over 3 years. If you keep it covered in Inox to stop it rusting its all good.
Cheers,
Dawn Breaker, Looking forward to hearing your decision.