Outboards The Next Generation 2-2.5hp

You may have noticed our homing in on the lowest powered outboard motors in the last few issues. These are designed for boats that are mostly used as tenders for bigger craft, accessing waterways bereft of launching facilities, or are being taken to bodies of water so remote that neither trailerable boats nor the trailers themselves would survive the ride, let alone get near the network of creeks and watering holes.

At the 2-2.5hp rating, we’ve effectively reached the end of the line, so to speak, of petrol powered engines. To apply less power to your boat, you’re down to electric motors, rowing it yourself, or, Huck Finn-like, swiping a bed sheet from the clothesline and affixing it to a broom handle.

Honda
Honda’s four-stroke BF2 is not only the lightest four-stroke in the 2hp range, it is also lighter than a lot of two-stroke models. What with its ergonomic carrying handle, its integral fuel tank and its fold-down tiller handle, the BF2 is easy to affix and remove, transport and store. As with all Honda outboards, this model boasts ‘4-Front Corrosion Protection’ that includes a multi-layered paint process, sacrificial anodes, stainless steel technology and waterproof connectors. And the motor rotates a full 360 degrees, the extreme manoeuvrability enabling the boat to get in and out of tight spots with ultimate ease.

Mariner
Like the Honda BF2, Mariner’s 2.5hp Portable Two-Stroke has 360-degree steering, enabling easy manoeuvring into tight spots; offering four trim positions, those spots can be very tight indeed, virtually irrespective of the load the boat is carrying. Loop charged induction maximises fuel/air mixture for exceptional fuel economy, while the integral fuel tank—at 1.4L—is among the biggest for its power range. The steering co-pilot is easily adjusted by hand for added safety and convenience.

Mercury
Mercury offers a choice between a fourstroke and a two-stroke 2.5hp outboard motor. The four-stroke model boasts the largest displacement in the 2.5hp category, while also offering a much more compact and lightweight powerhead through use of a one-piece integrated cylinder block design. An easy-to-view sight gauge also enables you to check the four-stroke’s oil level without removing the cowling. The two-stroke model, like the four-stroke, has 360-degree steering for easy manoeuvring. However, its 1.4L integral fuel tank is bigger than that of the four-stroke (0.95L). The two-stroke also boasts four trim positions, enabling load to be matched to water conditions for maximum performance, and an easily hand-adjusted steering co-pilot for added safety and convenience.

Suzuki
At 13kg, Suzuki’s DF2.5, a four-stroke 2.5hp outboard, is the lightest four-stroke 2.5 (the Honda is a 2hp)—but Suzuki is quick to point out that it’s “small in size, big on performance”. A large, easy-to-grip integrated handle makes the engine easy to tilt in operation—there are four settings to better match the engine with the boat and operating conditions—and carry, when being attached or stored. Other features include the 1L integrated tank, forward and neutral gear
shifting and an oil level indicator.

 

Tohatsu
There is a four-stroke (MFS2.5) and two-stroke (M2.5) 2.5hp outboard motor on offer from Tohatsu. The two-stroke model, though simple in design, promises excellent reliability, in part due to its construction from a high grade marine aluminium alloy providing corrosion protection, and zinc coating of internal water
passages for corrosion resistance. It operates smoothly and economically, thanks to loop charged induction. Both the two-stroke and the four-stroke model deliver 360-degree steering, come with a convenient carrying handle and have CD ignition for quicker starts. The fourstroke also boasts ultra low emission, adhering to
EPA 2006 and CARB 3-Star rating levels.

 

Yamaha
The choice from Yamaha is a 2hp two-stroke, or a 2.5hp four-stroke. Both offer lightweight solutions to boating needs, with the twostroke featuring Shallow Water Drive for outstanding performance in shallow water, plus an ‘Energy Advisor’ function, which graphically displays the most fuel-efficient running speed for optimum economy. The slimline four-stroke 2.5hp model Yamaha’s ‘pocket rocket’—offers all the smooth, quiet and economical characteristics shared across Yamaha’s four-stroke range, with a 72cc, overhead single-cylinder engine specifically engineered for marine use. Both models offer 360-degree steering, with the
two-stroke model bearing a 1.2L integral fuel tank while the four-stroke model’s integral tank has a 1.1L capacity.