What size outboard motor

[cantona]

Right, I've got the boat, 3.1 air floor SIB, now I need the motor, having been unwell over the last 8 or 9 months the steroids have taken their toll and I am not as strong as I was I lifted a 15 HP 2 stroke Mercury today but it is a hell of a lump for me at the moment, would a 6 - 8 HP 2 stroke be adequate for fishing 1 or 2 up on the North Devon coast? I will most likely be fishing solo most of the time, but have an additional adult and/or child with me from time to time. Need your advise please guys.

many thanks
Cantona

[cantona]

Sorry, should have added it needs to be second hand

Cantona

[philpot]

It is worth checking a given manufacturer's weight for their engines, for example, a Honda 10, 15 and 20hp are within 1 kilo so you could buy a 20 at no extra weight cost. The difference between an 8 and a 5 hp is however 15 kilo. It is well worth doing a little research to check weights and remember that all weights given on 4 stroke engines will be much heavier than the 2 stroke equivalent.

You could visit the local marina because apart from the floating gin palace there will be some smaller fishing boats so try to have a chat with some owners to sound them out and look at the engines they use. There could well be a local marine engineer who has a few outboards available and if nothing else you will find out if he works on all the main engine makes so you have a local guy to deal with.

If buying on ebay, ask the seller to weigh the engine to confirm your research.

I have a few friends up in the north who use 6 hp outboards with no problems but you must look at the area and the tides you are fishing in and will you need a more powerful unit to get you home quickly--------------how long is a piece of string.

Phil

[Max...]

Simplest question and answer ever asked on Ribnet! . Tohatsu 9.8 is the one.

[Fenlander]

It might be Max... but... Cantona did you say earlier your outboard budget was around £400 or have you found more funds?

BTW I like the sound of the SIB you've bought... should suit your needs well.

[cantona]

Thanks for the replies so far, I can go to about £500-£600

Cantona

[Fenlander]

OK slightly tight budget but do-able. It would be a miracle even in the winter season to pick up a Tohatsu 9.8 for that money but there is (to my mind) a great alternative.... a Yamaha 8hp like this...

yamaha 8 hp 2 stroke 2005 outboard | eBay

They weigh 26kg like the Tohatsu 9.8 which is about as much as you will want to carry from what you say. They are a well made and reliable outboard which will have similar low end grunt to the 9.8... obviously losing out a bit at the top end but will still plane a small SIB with two medium weight folks.

£500-£600 should get you a nice one this time of year.

By the way worth just dropping a message to Peter who is a trade member on here... http://www.boatsandoutboards4sale.co.uk/

He did have a Yamaha that might have suited you at only a fraction over budget... and he will give genuine advice.

His website...

http://www.boatsandoutboards4sale.co.uk/

[cantona]

Thanks again guys, would have loved the Mercury 9.9, but it was as I said a big old lump, 26KG is much more manageable.
Cantona

[Biggy]

Keep your eye out for an old decent two stroke.
I picked up a mint 1978 suzuki DT9 for £350.
It's working perfectly, runs sweet, light as a feather too.
2 up, I hit just short of 20mph on the Solent, and that's strapped to a honwave T38ie.
Plenty motors about for your money on eBay / pre-loved.

[Fenlander]

I've a bit of a fondness for those old blue and white Suzukis of the mid/late 70s as when I was knocking about around boats in my late teens they were such a huge leap up from the Seagulls, Chryslers and other earlier makes and then I had a couple more recently.

I had a mid 1970s DT8 on a GRP cuddy fishing boat about 6yrs ago and it was very nice condition, always started well and was reliable.

Also had a mint DT3.5 of the same era as a river engine for my old Zodiac around the same time.

Your DT9 (assuming it is a blue and white 9 not a later grey thru-prop exhaust 9.9) was broadly the same outboard as the DT7.5 and ought to weigh 28kg.

There's no doubt it is easier to find a good condition mid 2000s outboard than one that is almost 30yrs older but now and again a minter of an old one turns up.

[Biggy]

Yes pal, it's the blue and white, orange stripe DT9.
Absolutely pristine condition.
I've got pics and vids I'll post up when I get time @ suss out how (new to forum)
It's a little noisy but sounds nice too as it roars along at wot.
There was one on pre-loved for £400, not as mint but still tidy.

[Biggy]

Finally got round to doing some pics 😊

[cantona]

Nice, looks like an 8hp yamaha or a tohatsu 9 both 2 stroke, will be perfect if I can find one for the money.

really helpful guys, thanks
cantona

[Fenlander]

That's really nice... would suit a classic old Zodiac or Avon of the same era if you ever retire it off the Honwave.