What 15hp engine?

[scarymary]

I'm looking to buy a 15 HP engine to go on the back of an OLD 4m avon searider.

We use this boat for safety cover in a dock basin, approx 800m x 500m.

We use the boat primarily as a second/ spare safety boat. Previously we've been using a 8hp 2-stroke on the back.

It needs to be tiller controlled and able to be lifted on and off the boat.

Any thoughts on what would be the best engine, I've looked at Suzuki, Honda, Mercury and Yamaha. And to be honest I know very little about outboards so any info would be great.

[martini]

Very little to distinguish one make from another at that hp/technology level. Your biggest decision to make is probably 2 or 4 stroke. If you're lifting on and off the transom regularly then 2 strokes are generally a bit lighter. But if you're planning to buy new then you're stuck with 4 stroke, unless you are a commercial operator? Sounds like you may qualify

[Turbodiesel]

If its an old Avon, i would guess it will be a 2 stroke your after, the weight of most 4 strokes will probably be to heavy for the boat. We can do very good deals on 2 stroke prices Mariner/Merc as you are using in commercially.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

If its an old Avon, i would guess it will be a 2 stroke your after, the weight of most 4 strokes will probably be to heavy for the boat. We can do very good deals on 2 stroke prices Mariner/Merc as you are using in commercially.

I can confirm this

See you next week for mine

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by martini

I can confirm this

See you next week for mine

Yeah its ready and waiting!!! See you next week for a beer!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by martini

I can confirm this

See you next week for mine

Um...sorry did I miss something....

Is Martini II up for charter now.....?

[9D280]

JUmping back to the otriginal thread momentarily......

If it's a searider, you'll be wanring a longshaft. I amy even go as far as to say a premix one, as the oil injection gubbinry will clock in at anopther couple of kilos if it's topped up.


And welcome to Ribnet!

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Um...sorry did I miss something....

Is Martini II up for charter now.....?

It might be a secret so im not saying anything!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

It might be a secret so im not saying anything!

Stainless-fabrication-"on-the-water"

[chris123]

as others have said, I don't think there is much to choose between the makes you have listed at 15 HP.

Weight and warranty may be the main differences, but bear in mind the warranty periods listed are for leisure use , and the warranty periods for commercial use may (will?) be shorter.

Suzuki 45kg 5 years warranty
Honda 46.5kg 6 year warranty
Yamaha 53kg 5 year warranty
Mercury 52kg 3 year warranty

Two strokes will be lighter if you are able to buy one, though I don't think there will be many other benefits - I assume the boat will spend most of its time at low revs. I personally like the convenience of not having to mess around with 2 stroke oil. I can fit and remove my Suzuki DF15 single handed, though I wouldn't want to do it on anything but a stable surface.

Other than that, I would just look at the spec sheets and ideally go to a dealer where you can compare them. They all have minor differences - for example number of trim settings, autochoke, etc. Some may have better handhold positions for carrying / fitting the engine, some may have better trim/tilt mechanisms (the Suzuki's is a bit of a faff) .

Cheers

Chris