What small outboard motor?

lightning · 06 July 2009, 18:38

I've just bought a new Zodiac 285s and I ordered a Mariner 6hp outboard with it.
The order has come but the engine they've sent is a Mercury one. I rang them (I'm totally new to this having decided to buy a boat after a holiday on the Norfolk Broads) and they said it is "the same apart from the sticker". I have heard of Mercury, so I guess it's OK? I wanted the Honda originally but they said it was heavier and less powerful.
Also there was a make I had not heard of, Tohatsu (although reading this forum it seems popular) apparently that's the same as the Mariner too.
Are these small engines all pretty much the same? Will I be OK with my Mercury?

I learnt a fair bit about boats from my post on another section of this forum and ended up with the Zodiac 285 SIB with wooden floor, and launching wheels (essential I'm told!)

Poly · 06 July 2009, 19:12

Mariner and Mercury are exactly the same company and same engines with different labels. http://www.barrus.co.uk/marine_division.php

It is common for outboard engines to be rebadged versions of each other. In some cases it literally is just the stickers and paint that changes, occasionally there might be subtle changes and sometimes its more significant.

I think you are right the Tohatsu is also the same engine as the Mercury/Mariner at this size. All though you don't know the name Tohatsu they are part of the Nissan group, and indeed sell their outboards in other parts of the world under the Nissan brand. For some reason they seem to be slightly cheaper that Mercury/Mariner / Yamaha / Suzuki / Honda / Johnson/Evinrude, but they are generally reasonably well respected.

uncle al · 06 July 2009, 19:52

mercury/marina are part of the brunswick group who also have a share in the tohatso brand
marina=silver top cowl, mercury=black top cowl ,yamaha use some ford engine parts

lightning · 06 July 2009, 21:55

Thanks for the replies. Clearly the engine they sent is OK then. I fitted it to the boat, and reading the instructions, find that the "anti ventilation plate" should be 1-2 inches below the bottom of the transom. (a word I just learnt!)
It's actually about 2 1/2 inches is that acceptable? Knowing nothing I need to make sure before I put oil in the engine etc. The boat does have a inflatable keel and this sits lower than the bottom of the transom.
I believe that there are different lengths of engine for different sizes of boat. The boat handbook says it should be a "short shaft" but there's nothing on the engine or in the paparwork that identifies what engine I have.

codprawn · 06 July 2009, 22:03

A long shaft is another 5" which would be really noticable!!!

lightning · 07 July 2009, 09:33

I thought that would be the case. I need to trust the boat supplier, who would clearly have made sure he sent me the right motor.

chewy · 07 July 2009, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

I thought that would be the case. I need to trust the boat supplier, who would clearly have made sure he sent me the right motor.

I think you did the right thing in asking, least you have piece of mind now.
Some people might just sell you any engine that they want to shift.

lightning · 07 July 2009, 22:21

Looking at it I appear to have a long shaft engine, if it's measured from the swivel point to the bottom. Listed as 508mm and that is what it is, exactly. The short shaft is listed as 381mm.
However if I were to put the 5" shorter one on, the "anti ventilation plate" which should be 1-2" below the bottom of the boat (it's 2.5" on my setup) would be 2.5" ABOVE the bottom of the boat which I imagine would be bad.

Poly · 07 July 2009, 22:30

the length of engine is measured from the underside of the support bracket to the anti-ventilation plate. So you have a short-shaft engine.

lightning · 08 July 2009, 16:50

Oh right thanks for that information. Clearly it's the right engine for the boat, anyway.