Home Forums Fishing Saltwater Honda 2hp 4stroke?

Gents,

I've got a small inflatable for my 22ft skiff and am thinking about what kind of small engine to put on it. At the local marine engine store they have a Honda 2hp 4 stroke, a Yammie 3hp 4 stroke, and a Johnson 3.5hp 2 stroke, all for about $800-$900. I'm very familiar with the Johnson/Nissan/Tohatsu 3.5hp 2 stroke engine. I've done plenty of carb cleaning/spark plug jobs on that engine.

I'm thinking of going that route, but the jap motors always get my attention. I'm running a Honda main and kicker on my skiff already.

The raft is about 6ft to 7ft long, and doesn't have an inflatable keel, so I don't see lot's of speed in it's future. It holds about 3 grown men max. I don't need it to hit the beach all the time, that's what the skiff is for, mostly it will take me from a mooring bouy to shore at night.

Any thoughts on these engines?

I would opt for the 3.5 hp 2 stroke, you can't go wrong with a Johnson.

I'd go Yam 3hp.....

dave

I heard that the 2 stroke is the way to go with the smaller engines because you can lay them down on their side without screwing them up? (Something about the way the oil in the 4 stroke would reposition itself and clog carbs?)

Don't take my word for it, but ask about that as it didn't come from a reliable source for me.....

You're right...but they usually have one side or the other that's ok to lay it down on...

dave

Dudes,

I sold my boat this morning.....

I'm thinking a 17'6" Northriver Revenge with a 60hp Yamaha 4 stroke? I'm thinking this would be the perfect boat for me and wouldn't kill me with the high price of fuel......

Link

Link to boat at rockys

Dude....that's too small....

Go for the 40' trawler....

dave

The Pimp has me SCARED to get a big boat..... His is costing him an arm and a leg.

I scored the best deckhanding job this summer.... It's a two week gig, and I might just have to play the rest of the summer.

Nice...

Still think you need a 20-footer with a 150hp...

dave

When does your two week deckhand gig start? Is it on my off time?

dave

The Honda is air cooled so you can set it on it's side. I have used them and they are ok but a little noiser than the water cooled engines.

I selected a 3.5 hp Mercury, which is just another jap engine, as it's light enough to pick up with one hand and lift over my head. I use it on a 9.5' inflatable and its shaft is small enough to grip with one hand. The Honda has a plastic thingy there and I could not handle it.

I lift it up and put it on the stern rail of a larger boat.

The 3.3 will plane with one 200 lb person on board. My inflatable has a keel and weighs 88 lbs.

Unless you use it a lot or there is some law on 2 cycles get the two cycle engine.

It's the King Opener July 1st - 14th.

I'll also be gone at camp June 18th 25th and July 31-Aug. 7th.

It's going to be a busy summer, but I'm planning on doing my fair share of saltwater fishing. I also got my Halibut card, so we can skate when you guys get down here...

I just bought a new 5hp Merc 2 stroke. That 2hp 4stroke will really be poor in a heavy wind or sea. The 2 strokes are so much lighter and more powerful. In the small motors the rule is to derate the 4-stroke by 30 percent to get the equal 2-stroke. Means that a 5hp 4 stroke is like a 3.5 hp 2-stroke when it comes to performance.

I like the honda 2hp 4-stroke; but it is only good in a fresh water pond. The one I tried was as quiet as a church mouse and vibration was min.

Hoppes9

Band camp again?

Thanks gents for the information and help.

I still haven't decided. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

2.5hp-3.5hp? Seems a little underpowered with 3 men aboard. If money was a concern, you might consider that 5hp 4 stroke from briggs. I think they are about $650 or so and only weigh 56 pounds. Prolly not the best quality, such as the Jap motors, but then again you're only running in from the bouy.

I've been watching this thread with interest, as I am looking to get a motor for my 12' Zodiac. I am considering a 9.9 2 stroke as the absolute smallest that I would go. Preferably a 15hp-20hp. Admitadly tho, I have a different application than you BW, as I need something that will push about 1,000 pounds up rivers.

Good luck

The specific choice of what engine for a tender is just as complicated as selecting the rifle stuff we talk about.

A heavy engine is a problem to lift it. Do you leave the tender on the mooring or take the entire inflatable or motor with you? Questions like this matter as too big or small an engine is a real pain.

On that 7' inflatable most are not rated over 4 hp anyway. What happens is that more power will bend the raft out of shape and also throw it off balance. A 2.5 on a 7' raft is more than enough. Turn up the power on one with a 6hp and waves will come over the bow. Without an inflatable keel to firm up the floor boards the a lot of power will just cause problems.

On the other hand a 12' infatable is a rather large boat and capable of quite a bit including planning. Again the use of the 12' matters so much. Some leave the engines on as they are so heavy but maybe you can't "leave" it for security reasons and maybe you can.

Larger boats take such 12' tenders on board with a boom and they sport 40 hp engines and more.

If there is little current and the distance is not too far then I would row out to the mooring and back! That requires no engine. How sweet it is.

Just wondering where you heard this or what you base your information on? How are you defining "performance?" This is interesting.

best,
bhtr

BW,

For your inflatable, the 2hp Honda would be a perfect match. It will push you up to hull speed and carry any reasonable amount of extra you need. As to it's saltwater capabilities, the 5 layers of "finish" on it are the same as your larger Honda motors. It will be easily stowed; it is a small package at 27 lbs. The tank full of gasoline will give you hours and hours of operation time. It is quiet, smoke free, and will not require a spark plug diet to keep it going.

With that said, any of the 4 cycle outboards listed are appropriate: in reality, it becomes a Ford or Chevy debate in the end. (You already have the experience of "down the road" maintainence on the others. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

best,
bhtr

Before spending the money on more stuff rethink the boats needs. Our primary concern is safety and we trail or carry on board our tender in the case of an emergency.

One of the worst things at sea is a net on a wheel or a grounding. For these a seaworthy tender can save you and the vessel.

If your 7' inflatable is kept on board or an even larger tender is always ready then fine. Having had an 8' Achilles for a short while on a trade I find the tube diameter and general size of the inflateable on the small size for rough conditions.

Many carry a wet suit along with the afformentioned tender.

BW,
Really not sure, I guess I missed that this is a 6-7 foot raft. I'd check the mfgs hp rating...even the two hp could be over powered. I was looking at the more substantial inflatable that that Savage99 posted here. A buddy had a small inflatable without a keel; it was not usable with any motor without the keel. I wrote the mfg and complained after he and I did the shakedown 'cruise'. The mfg bought it back. Inflatables vary so much. I'm use to thinking Zodiac when I hear inflatable. Even their smaller models seem highly stable. Inflatable designs are not just making them blow-up, they are complicated to get right.

Bearhunter,
2 stroke and 4 stroke engines have vastly different speed/torque characteristics. 4 strokes have more low-end torque and 2 strokes have more high-end speed. When you couple this to a prop in a fluid medium, the top end performance (top speed) favors the 2 stroke. Power may be derated by the 25-30%. But that doesn't mean the speed will be 25 % less as the power is proportional to the square of speed. Most certified boats would quote two HP ranges, one max for outboards and another higher number for inboards or I/O, as these are all 4 stroke (except diesels).
I've never talked to a marine dealer who would not tell you this.
Hoppes9

Hoppes9,

I was staying within the context of BW's post. My research indicated the following:

Mercury 2.5
Specifications
HP @ Prop: 2.5
Max RPM (WOT): 4200-5200
Displacement (CID/cc): 4.6/74.6
Dry Weight (lbs.) (Lightest Version model, excludes engine oil, rigging, hardware and propeller): 28

HONDA SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Type 4-stroke OHV Single Cylinder
Displacement 57cc (3.4 cubic inches)
TypeFull Throttle RPM Range 5000-6000 RPM
HP Rating @ Propshaft 2HP @ 5500 RPM
DIMENSIONS
Recommended Transom Height (S) 381 mm/15 inches
Dry Weight (S) 12 kg - 27 lbs.


[quote]The 2 strokes are so much lighter and more powerful. In the small motors the rule is to derate the 4-stroke by 30 percent to get the equal 2-stroke. Means that a 5hp 4 stroke is like a 3.5 hp 2-stroke when it comes to performance.[quote]

I guess that my previously stated question had to do with the merits found in simple specs. It appears that the Honda developes virtually the same horsepower per cubic inch of displacement, has a higher range of rpm's, and weighs less. Granted, the Merc. is rated @ 1/2 hp more. The Honda has the potential to turn 500 more rpms. My whole point is that there is so little difference between these two that it is almost a wash. Sort of like the difference between a 30.338 and a .300 norma?

best,
bhtr

It's a good raft, not a pool toy like a Seyvlor (sp?) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It came along with our big boat so I can't bitch about the price or lack of keel.

I just started to carry it on the 'roof' of my skiff, inflated and ready to go, whether for fun or emergencies. In the past 2-3 years there have been too many aluminum drop bows sink around these parts. All of which were bigger than mine. So the raft is primarily there for emergencies, and secondly to get me from the mooring bouy to shore. The skiff itself is great for hitting the shore and unloading people and gear.

I have no problem with rowing, but it can be a pain with more than one person onboard. It's so much nicers to just sit in the back and motor in rather than try and row with gear or people getting in the way.

I'm sort of leaning towards the little Honda...

Savage99,

BTW, got some more pictures of your sail boat?

BW,

You know what your doing.

I row to the boat when it's easy and leave the kicker on it. If I have a long way to go then I put it on the tender.

The boat is a C&C 35-1. The picture shows it beating to windward under just it's genny. I am under the dodger which is sort of a pilot house if you will.

This boat was selected to keep up with our friends boats who had the same model. I went to Annapolis and brought this retired racer up to Connecticut.



Details on the C&C 35-1

Savage99,

Thanks! I'm still developing a taste for sailboats. Truthfully I know little about them, and the terminlogy is overwhelming. I'm a frequent visitor at woodenboat.com and sailboats and small row boats are popular over there.

All that you need to know about them is not to get hit by the boom or fall off. The Genny refers to the "Genoa" which is an old term for a large foresail or jib.

Your boat must be wood then? I can't even keep up with the Sickens as you could see in one of the pics.

Yes, our commercial boat is wood...





...but the skiff is aluminum...



I think I could learn the names of all the items in your picture above, but there are a lot more than that. And, they I think they use different terms for the same thing just to confuse me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />