What is the lightest 40hp outboard

[NickHoult]

Hello, I have a Zodiac Futura 3.8m

They are typically weak around the transom seams.

So, does anyone know whats the lightest 40hp been produced? I don't mind having an old engine.
Obviously manual start and t&t is the first weight saving option.

Any ideas welcome
Thanks

[two stroke mick]

I had a 2 stroke mariner ex RNLI outboard 40 hp and If I recall corectly it was 85 kgs

[9D280]

Merc Clamshell 60Hp - 83Kg!


Lots of old brochures with the spec pages scanned here:

Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!

Just make sure you have a good internet connection before clicking on it.....

[ian parkes]

Tohatsu 40/50 but its too much for a 3.8 futura i think . A 30 hp 2 stroke would be better balanced and probably go as well .

[Roflhat]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Tohatsu 40/50 but its too much for a 3.8 futura i think . A 30 hp 2 stroke would be better balanced and probably go as well .

this ^
the tohatsu/yamaha 2 stroke 30's are very light

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by NickHoult

Hello, I have a Zodiac Futura 3.8m

They are typically weak around the transom seams.

So, does anyone know whats the lightest 40hp been produced? I don't mind having an old engine.
Obviously manual start and t&t is the first weight saving option.

Any ideas welcome
Thanks

Unless you're trailering - stick to a Yammie 25hp. More than enough power for 2-up and a joy to tiller steer. The Yamaha 40V (2-stroke) weighs in at 85kg. Fantastic power to weight ratio, but you'll be stern heavy if you opt to tiller steer, plus you'll need someone up front just to keep the bow down.

[Locozodiac]

Plenty with any 30 HP, 2 strokes engine if not outting heavily loaded and definitely place a mate up front for better sib/engine ballance.

The lightest 40 HP 2 strokes, 2 cylinder engine is a Tohatsu M40C (compact) just 59 kilos compared to 51-52 kilos for any other 30 HP engine.

Happy Boating

[NickHoult]

Thanks for all the input everyone, the info has been a game changer!

[NickHoult]

Hi one more thing, do folks think that a tohatsu. 30hp will have enough grunt to pull a novice skier out the water with a zodiac future 3.8?
Thanks

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by NickHoult

Hi one more thing, do folks think that a tohatsu. 30hp will have enough grunt to pull a novice skier out the water with a zodiac future 3.8?
Thanks

I dont think so, my 3.8 Fastroller & 25hp wont pull an experienced teenager without superfat skis, novice skiers require a lot more grunt when learning.

The 25/30 is enough for most things, but if you want to ski you are going to need a 40. I'm pretty sure the lightest will be a mid 90's manual start/tilt Yamaha 40hp 3 cylinder (no autolube) at around 80kg. Its still a heavy lump, but I had the 50hp (same block) on the slightly larger Futura Sport in the late 90's and it was superb.

If you have forward steering, go for the 40hp, if you are tiller steering don't, 40hp is way over the top for that boat. You really need a trailer as well, 80kg engines are very difficult to move.

[ian parkes]

is it a solid floor futura or inflatable floor ? makes a big difference as to what power it will take .

[simsy]

30hp 2 stroke may pull a good skier up, a 4 stroke tohastu needs to rev to make power.... light and quiet, but poor botom end....

[NickHoult]

It's a solid aluminium floor, that sits on a inflatable keel, if has centre console and bunk trailer.

[NickHoult]

What do folks think about, between the pulling power of an old 40hp and a much newer 30hp, does the ware and tare reduce power as cylinder psi drops through use?? I.e would a much newer 30 be about as effective as an old well used 40 (1980-1990)?

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by NickHoult

What do folks think about, between the pulling power of an old 40hp and a much newer 30hp, does the ware and tare reduce power as cylinder psi drops through use?? I.e would a much newer 30 be about as effective as an old well used 40 (1980-1990)?

Late 70's- early 80's motors were measured at the flywheel rather than the prop, so a vintage engine with a 25hp sticker would only be the equivalent of a late 90's 20-22hp 2 stroke.

Your question is virtually impossible to answer, I have a 20 year old engine that sat unused for 20 years, its as good now and as powerful as the day it was produced. However last year I bought a 20hp Yamaha that had had a very hard life, worn gears, poor top end and slow recoil, it was beaten on an identical boat by a 15hp Evinrude

Like all used boat things, only 3 things matter, condition, condition and condition.

To answer your question, a good 1990's 40hp will walk all over a newer 30hp. A knackered 1980 40hp will probably be about the same as a modern 30hp.