what 50 is the best

bigmike35 · 15 February 2006, 22:39

i might be looking for a new outboard what do u recomend

Rogue Wave · 15 February 2006, 23:04

a yammie 3 pot 50 2 stroke is hard to beat

codprawn · 15 February 2006, 23:20

Many people swear by the Tohatsu tldi - has had some great reviews!!!

http://www.nissanmarine.com/products/50_tldi.html

Downhilldai · 15 February 2006, 23:50

The choice of 50hp will depend on your budget, but if you can get a 3 cylinder yam 50, you'll be flying with a 4m Searider! I'd agree with Rogue Wave on this one, but don't discount the Suzuki 55 either. Both these motors would be top of my list. I think the SR4 is max rated at 50hp, so you may have insurance problems if you go for a 55.
Happy hunting.

Dave B · 16 February 2006, 08:29

HONDA

Searider · 16 February 2006, 09:44

Had a 3 cylinder Yamaha 50 on my 4m. Fantastic engine. Started first or second pull every time. No electrics to go wrong.

I may be wrong but I believe that the Tohatsu is a very "similar" engine to the Yamaha.

ADS · 16 February 2006, 11:36

As others have said go with the 3pot Yammie 50, a friend of mine had one and it was very smooth, easy to start, and surprisingly economical. Hard to beat I would think, this one is cheap:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PMB679

If your going to go four stroke, I would think Suzuki 50HP or Johnson (same engine, but you can get the Johnson cheaper). The Yamaha 50HP 4 strokes are also good as are the EFI Mercury/ Mariners, all heavy though, not sure I have seen a 'big' 4 stroke on an SR4 before.

The new tech stuff, such as the Tohatsu 50HP TLDI and Evinrude ETEC 50 are both good engines, but you would have to buy new as there are very few on the secondhand market. The TopHat 50 TLDI retails at £3995, the ETEC 50HP £4013, so little in it. Personally I think you could pick up a newish 50Hp Yammie 2 stroke for well under £2k maybe £1.5k as the one pointed out. You can buy alot of fuel for the difference between the used Yammie and new Etec/TLDI. Having said that an SR4 and a 60HP Etec would be a fantastic bit of kit!

regards,

Alex

Rogue Wave · 16 February 2006, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave B

HONDA

certainly reliable engines but doesn't the Honda carry a lot of weight and would that be an advantage on a 4 metre rib. Also is the Honda 50 Hp measured at the flywheel or do they measure them at the prop now

codprawn · 16 February 2006, 12:48

Go for a standard 50hp Tohatsu 2 stroke as used in zapcat racing - new price about £2500 - will use more fuel than the tldi but it's an unburstable engine that is light and powerful - haven't got one myself but I am a fan of the zapcats!!!

Phil Davies · 16 February 2006, 13:22

BigMike - You will soon come to learn not to post such questions on Ribnet because, as you've just seen, you'll get as many diverse answers as there are engine suppliers in the market! The main issue with the 4m SR is not so much which brand of engine, but their respective weights. Biggles on this forum recently fitted a nice shiny new Yamaha 4-stroke 50hp to his SR4 and although it's a cracking engine, it's simply too heavy at 111kgs and affects the high speed handling of the boat. Bear in mind the Searider hull is a 30yrs+ design and was originally conceived with lightweight 2-strokes in mind, so putting a 110kg engine on the tail can induce chine walking at the top end.

If you insist on having a 4-stroke, the Honda 50 is actually the lightest at 90kgs whereas the Suzuki, although a lot quieter and prettier than the Honda, weighs in at a lardy 110kgs. The 'Rude E-Tec, although a direct injection 2-stroke, is also quite heavy at 107kgs. The Yamaha and Tohatsu (non-Tdli version) 50 2-strokes are by far the lightest alternatives so might be the best choice if you can cope with the louder noise and smell, although that in itself may appeal to you! Tohatsu is reliable but looks crap and is lower tech than the Yam and there are considerably fewer dealers to look after you.

If you're unlikely to be blasting around at full speed all the time, you may prefer the smoother characteristics and better fuel economy of the 4-strokes. If you're buying new, remember the Honda comes with a 5-year warranty and is arguably the most bullet-proof 4-stroke of them all. The Suzi and Yam 4-strokes do have fuel injection, however, which helps on pick-up and smoothness. So now you're really confused, right?

Pete7 · 16 February 2006, 13:38

Some good points from Phil. Personally I wouldn't put a new engine on that boat and certainly not a heavy 4 stroke for all the reasons Phil outlined. Instead why not keep the costs down and go for something like this.

http://wwww.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F87798/
http://wwww.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F85080/

Same engine as the 55hp Mariner. Old tech but dozens about, cheap as chips to get you out there doing it.
or
http://wwww.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F89607/

Pete

Downhilldai · 16 February 2006, 13:41

Cheap, yes but Standard shaft. Seariders run Longshafts.

[QUOTE=ADS] Hard to beat I would think, this one is cheap:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PMB679

Pete7 · 16 February 2006, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Cheap, yes but Standard shaft. Seariders run Longshafts.

Err, both Evinrudes are long shaft

Can't get the link you posted to work, needs a / at the end.

Pete

ADS · 16 February 2006, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Err, both Evinrudes are long shaft

Can't get the link you posted to work, needs a / at the end.

Pete

Pete,

Think he was referring to the yamaha 50hp I posted, I missed that it was a short shaft, definatly no good for a Searider.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PMB679

Alex

Pete7 · 16 February 2006, 14:09

Oops sorry, missed that. Couple of thoughts, the boat was cheap, keep the engine cheap and simple too so if in a couple of years Mike decides to change then its an easy sellable package. Servicing costs cheap and a DIY job taking an hour tops. Notice how the sub 5m rib owners are always out on the water doing it, lots to be said for small ribs, shown by Daniels (DJL) epic voyage back from Weymouth in 2003. Hmm that gives me an idea

Pete

Ian Sharlot · 16 February 2006, 16:17

I have a 2003 mariner 60 big foot 2 stroke. new controls etc absolutly imaculate for £2300 if you are interested.

Phil Davies · 16 February 2006, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker

I have a 2003 mariner 60 big foot 2 stroke

109kgs =

columbiachop · 16 February 2006, 18:00

my dt55 is 21 years old and has great compression, weighs around 230lbs i believe and performs great. might save you some money.

andy

yoyo · 16 February 2006, 19:27

Tohatsu 50 triple, great engine and new dark blue colour for 2006. Looks great IMO Phil. Love it at £2600.
http://www.tohatsu-uk.net/Engines/2stroke/40_50hp1.htm

Rogue Wave · 16 February 2006, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Davies

BigMike - . So now you're really confused, right?

Nah he's not cos he's gonna listen to uncle roguey!