6hp outboard query

[general123]

hi, am looking for a bit of advice please ...

I am considering buying a 6hp outboard, either a Suzuki or a Mariner. The Suzuki has an inbuilt petrol tank, the Mariner does not, and as I'm about to be a newbie to boating, I don't have the experience to decide between the 2 engines. I would welcome advice and opinions please to help decide, or is it more a case of personal choice and cost??
Many thanks
Mark

[willk]

Having the option is nice. For example, someone with a 2.7m () might appreciate being able to do short trips without a big brute of a tank taking up deck space. You could then carry a small container of fuel as a reserve, e.g. a camping fuel bottle.

[general123]

thanks willk. by the way, I kept dithering about going solid floor or airdeck, but your feedback regarding your own airdeck has steered me more in the airdeck direction now I like the upsides to an airdeck, and I suspect the boat will be easier and quicker to use on those occasions when I go out on my own. (fishing).. cheers, Mark

[willk]

I should clarify somewhat - some engines have a internal tank AND a fitting for an external - I'm not sure how many there are in current ranges. To give you some idea of usage, my 9.8 typically burns about 5-6 litres during a busy day on the water. Not much, but several refills on a 1.1 litre engine.

I find my SIB fine for solo fishing, but passersby tend to have a right old larf at me - I guess I look like a garden ornament...

[LWman]

Its probably down to personal choice.. id personally go for an external as i know from the 4hp internal i had, that i had to carry spare cans of fuel anyway for a full day out. If the engines are brand new, it'll be pick whatever takes your fancy Though if second hand, id probably just look for the best condition one

[squiddy]

Originally Posted by willk

I should clarify somewhat - some engines have a internal tank AND a fitting for an external

Personally, i would only buy an engine with an internal tank IF it had a fitting for external as well.

[Fenlander]

If this for going to sea then it has to be an external tank to give the reserve capacity for a trip and it's so much easier to see how much you have left. Bending over an integral tank outboard in a chop to check fuel level or refill from a can is not a good experience.

[Stippolyte]

Something else to consider. I've always used external tank, don't fancy having motor full of petrol in the garage, can always drain external into car with a funnel - 4 strokes only though !

[general123]

appreciate the feedback guys, thanks. My thoughts were that the internal tank would be useful when on a river, but if at sea I'd use a small external tank as backup (the engine does have facility for connection to an external tank also). A negative though, I suppose, is transporting an engine with petrol in it back home after boating (the plan is to leave home with it empty and fill at my destination). I suppose I could siphon it empty after boating?

[thornbackflound]

Originally Posted by general123

thanks willk. by the way, I kept dithering about going solid floor or airdeck, but your feedback regarding your own airdeck has steered me more in the airdeck direction now I like the upsides to an airdeck, and I suspect the boat will be easier and quicker to use on those occasions when I go out on my own. (fishing).. cheers, Mark

Fishing off one i would recomend a hard deck,somewhere hard to place your weight and hooks,bad enough with soft tubes and a soft floor,no way i would.