Honda 130 is a cracking engine but HEAVY. Really heavy. Not sure how it compares with the Suzuki 140. I wouldn't bother with an "ordinary" 2 stroke - fuel consumption of the direct injections ones is significantly better and more than outweighs the increase in purchase cost imho. Yam HPDI's are supposed to be excellent but are expensive. I run a Merc Optimax 150 on a 6.5m rib and am very impressed with it. Performance and fuel economy are excellent. You are more likely to get a good deal on a merc than a yam I'd think. (I can recommend TL Harvey in Birmingham who supplied and fitted my Opti at a very competitive cost.)
Other option with a new build RIB would be the Mercruiser 1.7Tdi (120hp) diesel. Supposed to be the dogs danglies in terms of weight vs economy vs power.
Iagree that the Honda is a heavy engine - but if you are having a RIB built you can accommodate this by moving the consoles etc slightly forward, and having your fuel tanks twoards the bow. Even a couple of inches can make all the difference.
Also Honda offera 5 year free warranty - not to be sniffed at!
Having tested some RIBs with the Mercruiser engine the main fault I found was the noise. You certainly couldnt speak to the peron nex to you at cruising speeds. Ths may be helped slightly with additional soundproofing.
I have to say I like the idea of the engine being quiet and the fuel consumption...but is it worth the extra...the Honda is costing about £ 8500 the 125 Mariner and 130 Yamaha about £ 7000 so I am wondering is it worth the extra..
I can really only see about 4 adults max using the boat but don't want to be saying later " if only I had got ! "
I've tested the Suzuki 140 and its a cracking engine! Only problem is they are like hens teeth at the moment. If you're in no rush its probably worth the wait. I'm now running a S/H Honda 90 which is excellent, quiet and very miserly, but I could do with a few more HPs. Not sure I would have paid the full new price though..
