Small Outboards

[lawrence567]

After my recent post about inflatable boats i'm looking at the prospect of a small outboard for the boat / dinghy.
It says it's rated to 3-4hp on the boat.
So it is very small.
I don't really want anything that's going to produce a great spead as it's going to be pootling round to a small cove.
I've been looking @ Ebay, but as i know nothing about boat engines i'm a bit sceptical as to whether the prices are genuine on there or if people are paying through the roof like some people do on Fleaby.
Ideally it'd be anything from 1.5hp-3hp.
Lightness would be a plus & i'd prefer petrol, i can't afford hundreds of pound.
Does anyone have any suggestions of where to look, or know of any going?

[wurumal]

Have a look for 'British Seagull' on ebay. They are little old outboards built from the late 50's through to the 80's. (I think) From what I can see, they are almost bullet proof, and if something does go wrong, you can get everything you'd ever need from here http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/ You could find one in good nick easily for under £150, and probably pass it on to your grandchildren

[MOTORVATOR]

You should be able to pick up a Honda 2.3 for 300 quid. Aircooled so nice and light but four stroke so plenty of torque and I doubt you'd lose money on it - very popular.

[lawrence567]

Yeah i've seen the Seagulls but was'nt sure what to think of them as they seem ideal really!
I think £300 is too much really!

[MOTORVATOR]

lawrence567 said:

I think £300 is too much really!

Agreed you can spend the saving on 2 stroke oil as well as a decent set of oars and keep well fit.

[lawrence567]

The oars i have, the keeping fit i need to do & the smell of 2 stroke is awesome

[maser_spyder]

MOTORVATOR said:

lawrence567 said:

I think £300 is too much really!

Agreed you can spend the saving on 2 stroke oil as well as a decent set of oars and keep well fit.

I had a Seagull once. That kept me fitter than rowing.

They say you can always tell a Seagull owner in the marina. He's the chap with a left arm like Mr Muscle, and a right arm like Popeye. And not for that reason either.

[maser_spyder]

I've had a Tohatsu 3.5 for about seven years now, only just put the first new plug, impeller and anode on it for the start of this season.

I know you should service them every year, but....

Anyway, goes to show it's a good little engine and will stand up to some abuse from an idiotic owner.

[MOTORVATOR]

maser_spyder said:

MOTORVATOR said:

lawrence567 said:

I think £300 is too much really!

Agreed you can spend the saving on 2 stroke oil as well as a decent set of oars and keep well fit.

I had a Seagull once. That kept me fitter than rowing.

They say you can always tell a Seagull owner in the marina. He's the chap with a left arm like Mr Muscle, and a right arm like Popeye. And not for that reason either.

They're dead cheap on petrol though.








Never seen one put a whole tank through without being taken apart.

[maser_spyder]

MOTORVATOR said:

maser_spyder said:

MOTORVATOR said:

lawrence567 said:

I think £300 is too much really!

Agreed you can spend the saving on 2 stroke oil as well as a decent set of oars and keep well fit.

I had a Seagull once. That kept me fitter than rowing.

They say you can always tell a Seagull owner in the marina. He's the chap with a left arm like Mr Muscle, and a right arm like Popeye. And not for that reason either.

They're dead cheap on petrol though.








Never seen one put a whole tank through without being taken apart.

I remember watching a guy in Guernsey many years ago swearing and cursing just like John Cleese In Fawlty Towers.

"If you don't start you bd I'm going to give you a bloody good hiding!"

Pretty sure he eventually gave up.

[MOTORVATOR]

maser_spyder said:

MOTORVATOR said:

maser_spyder said:

MOTORVATOR said:

lawrence567 said:

I think £300 is too much really!

Agreed you can spend the saving on 2 stroke oil as well as a decent set of oars and keep well fit.

I had a Seagull once. That kept me fitter than rowing.

They say you can always tell a Seagull owner in the marina. He's the chap with a left arm like Mr Muscle, and a right arm like Popeye. And not for that reason either.

They're dead cheap on petrol though.








Never seen one put a whole tank through without being taken apart.

I remember watching a guy in Guernsey many years ago swearing and cursing just like John Cleese In Fawlty Towers.

"If you don't start you bd I'm going to give you a bloody good hiding!"

Pretty sure he eventually gave up.

Probably didn't read the manual.



"Welcome to the world of Seagull Motors. British engineering at it's finest!

20 easy tips to help you get the most from your Seagull motor.

Pull 15 times.

Remove spark plug, clean and replace.

Pull 15 times.

Remove spark plug, clean, regap and replace.

Pull 15 times.

Remove magneto, clean and replace.

Pull 15 times.

Remove coil, clean and replace.

Pull 15 times.

Replace starter cord.

Remove carburettor, acid clean and replace.

Pull 15 times.

Replace starter cord.

Remove magneto and regap contacts.

Pull 15 times.

Remove from dinghy, hold in air and balance carefully to reduce exhaust back pressure.

Pull 15 times.

Pick your self up from bottom of dinghy whilst holding wildy revving engine sporting a diameter blade more suited to shifting a ship around.

Carefully place said wildly revving engine back on stern.

Recover yourself and now not revving motor back into dinghy and return to step one being more careful with step 19 next time."

[cabbron]

another vote for tohatsu,had a few and all were 100% reliable.the 3.3hp mercury/mariners have a following too.light 2 strokes for small tenders are always popular.

[MOTORVATOR]

Problem is the little 2 strokes are becoming thin on the ground now and seem to be commanding a bit more money than they are worth. But at least the planet is saved now.

[Huntsman]

MOTORVATOR said:

Problem is the little 2 strokes are becoming thin on the ground now and seem to be commanding a bit more money than they are worth. But at least the planet is saved now.

Indeed, its seems that the two strokes are fetching a premium as they are no longer available new and buyers like the light weight and simplicity.

I wonder, do the 4 strokes need to be put in the car boot the right way to prevent crankcase oil leaking out?

I ran a seagul for many years, it wasn't hard to make it start, my only gripe was that they are a bit leaky and smelly and smokey and the most common (40 plus?) is onlt 1.5 hp.

[lawrence567]

Huntsman said:

Indeed, its seems that the two strokes are fetching a premium as they are no longer available new and buyers like the light weight and simplicity.

I wonder, do the 4 strokes need to be put in the car boot the right way to prevent crankcase oil leaking out?

I ran a seagul for many years, it wasn't hard to make it start, my only gripe was that they are a bit leaky and smelly and smokey and the most common (40 plus?) is onlt 1.5 hp.

I only have a small dinghy so the HP isn't really a factor, plus i like 2 smokes

[Simpo Two]

MOTORVATOR said:

Problem is the little 2 strokes are becoming thin on the ground now and seem to be commanding a bit more money than they are worth. But at least the planet is saved now.

Not until they make us all buy 8-strokes...

[MOTORVATOR]

Huntsman said:

I wonder, do the 4 strokes need to be put in the car boot the right way to prevent crankcase oil leaking out?

All the ones I've used have been marked this side up only and have a couple of lugs cast in so it doesn't rest on gear / throttle etc.

Edited by MOTORVATOR on Tuesday 7th June 18:16