Outboards The Next Generation 15hp

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There are probably more 15hp outboards kicking around this country than any other horsepower rating. They’re on thousands of tenders, numerous punt-styled boats and tinnies, and are considered true workhorses.

Yamaha
The common choice for a 15hp motor is between a four-stroke model and a twostroke model. In Yamaha’s case, both offer compactness, lightness and convenience. The brand-spanking-new F15C also features an engine counter-balancer to reduce vibration, a u-shaped silencer tube to reduce noise and increase air intake efficiency for better low to mid-range torque and one-handed operation for speed control. It also leads the market with the greatest displacement of a 15hp motor. The portable two-stroke reduces noise by expanding exhaust gas through a labyrinth while idling, with vibration reduced through use of large rubber mounts. The model also comes with an engine stop switch lanyard for added safety.

Mariner
There are three Mariner 15hp engines to choose from, beginning with the Portable Twostroke model, dubbed ‘the pocket dynamo’ by the company. It offers dependable and reliable two-stroke power with a quick, easy start and convenient one-handed tiller arm control of gearshift, throttle, stop and trim/tilt. Meanwhile, the four-stroke model adheres to the most stringent environmental standards in the world including California’s ‘Three Star’ rating in compliance with 2008’s 91 per cent reduction in admissions. Meanwhile, the engine also offers quiet performance courtesy of lownoise features such as a full, one-piece cowl, an air intake silencer, and through-prop exhaust. Finally, the BigFoot four-stroke offers greater manoeuvrability and performance courtesy of its larger, taller gear case, larger propeller and oversized anti-ventilation plate providing more leverage from the propeller. Because its gears are all a third larger than competitive outboards, there is less engine stress and so less maintenance is required.

Tohatsu
Your choice of Tohatsu 15hp engines comes down to four-stroke versus two-stroke. Both the M15 two-stroke and the MFS15 four-stroke offer a quiet ride with through-the-prop exhaust. Stainless steel water pump housing, high grade marine aluminium alloy and zinc coating on internal water passages provides corrosion resistance and durability. With fuel economy plus an excellent horsepower-to-weight ratio both offer top-of-the-line performance.

Honda
Honda dubs its BF15 ‘the power king’ on account of its 350cc displacement. The model also boasts steer friction control, enabling steering tension adjustment for better handling. Its pendulum-motion mounting system, designed to eliminate vibration maximises user comfort while a fold-away carrying handle makes the engine easy to carry in a level position, aiding portability. Its 12amp alternator helps to keep the battery charged at any speed.

Suzuki
Suzuki keeps the selection process simple at 15hp. Two strokes or four? The DT15 is the two-stroke model, boasting among other features pointless electronic ignition for that powerful powerful spark and an easy and dependable start. The DF15 is the fourstroke, offering a similar easy and dependable electronic ignition, along with forged aluminium connection rods and durable onepiece crankshaft for strength and stability and a low oil pressure warning system to help keep you motoring. There are variations in shaft length resulting in corresponding variations in dry weight to suit varied needs of boaters.

Mercury
Mercury presents a choice of three 15hp outboard motors. The four-stroke model boasts an anti corrosive XK-360 aluminium alloy and technology that provides 40 per cent less fuel consumption. There’s also a reliable portable two-stroke engine that, courtesy of its fuel priming system, offers quick, easy starts, while its gearshift, throttle, stop and trim/tilt control offers convenient one-handed control. Finally, there’s the SeaPro model that, as the name suggests, has been specifically engineered for commercial boaters. The strengthened stainless-steel drive shafts and prop shafts plus bigger stainless-steel gears in a toughened gear case turn bigger propellers while the carburettor is designed to run more smoothly at very low revs making this a durable, hardworking unit for those making a living on the water.

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