Outboards The Next Generation 3-4hp

There’s a type of adventure holiday that requires covering terrain no trailer was designed to rattle over, before hitting bodies of water that may lead to sections no vessel the size of a trailered boat should be attempting to traverse. If you’re undertaking such an adventure, not only will need a boat that fits on the roof of your car, you’ll also need an outboard motor you can stow in the car boot. If you’ve got the boat sorted, read on—the motor you need will be outlined here. Oh, and if your luxury yacht precludes an estuarine creek adventure up the Cape, you may consider a 3-4hp motor for the tender that takes you and your guests from pier to vessel. All of these portable outboard motors have integral, or in-built, fuel tanks—the bigger, harder-working models have bigger fuel tanks and, in some cases, the option of connecting to a free-standing tank. All the motors boast a forward and neutral gear shift, while the bigger ones do reverse as well.

Mariner Mariner’s Portable range (dubbed their ‘pocket dynamos’), includes a 3.3hp model offering reliable two-stroke power with a quick, easy start and variable trim and shallow-water drive positions once underway—so you can match load and water conditions for maximum performance. Although the gear shift offers only ‘forward’ and ‘neutral’, with 360-degree steering, manoeuvring into those tight spots off the beaten track is easy—reversing out at full speed, just as easy.

 

     

Mercury Like the Mariner model, Mercury’s 3.3hp Portable outboard motor is a two-stroke with one-hand operated 360-degree steering and four trim positions to make the most of water conditions. The 4hp model boasts two more trim positions and while the steering is still 360-degree, the gear shift offers ‘reverse’ in addition to ‘forward’ and ‘neutral’. However, there are also Mercury’s four-stroke engines to consider. The 3.5hp model produces the largest displacement in its horsepower class while maintaining a compact and lightweight design. And the 4hp model, like the 3.5hp model, has a CARB (Californian Air Resource Board) three-star ultra-low emissions rating.

 

Suzuki Suzuki’s ‘user friendly’ DF4 is a four-stroke 4hp model equipped with a tiller handle that extends out from a long steering bracket, aiding weight distribution and, with the presence of a rubber mount, minimising vibration. The model produces the largest displacement for a single cylinder engine in its class, and a fuel efficiency that, Suzuki promises, will take you further on a tank of fuel than any comparable two-stroke.

 

 

Tohatsu Tohatsu’s two-stroke technology means easy operation and handling courtesy of a carrying handle to get your motor to your boat. Then once it’s attached, quick ignition is followed by loop charged induction for smooth operation and fuel economy. High grade marine aluminium alloy plus zinc coating of internal water passages ensures protection against corrosion. A 3.5hp model has ‘forward’ and ‘neutral’ gear shifting while the 4hp adds reverse, but both boast 360-degree steering for ease of use. The MFS3.5 is a four-stroke 3.5hp motor designed to produce low emissions and adheres to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2006 guidelines, with a CARB three-star approval rating. But if you care less for the effects than the actual performance, the motor starts easily, has a quicker throttle response and trolls smoothly.

 

   

Yamaha Yamaha built its reputation on the backbone of its legendary range of two-stroke outboards. The compact selection of portable two-strokes still delivers on this legacy, with the singlecylinder 3hp and 4hp offering lightweight power solutions as yacht auxiliaries, inflatable engines and tender outboards. Both the 4hp and 3hp two-stroke portables offer outstanding shallow water performance as well as the convenience of an ‘Energy Advisor’ function that graphically displays the most fuel-efficient running speed for optimum economy. And at a big 2.8L, the 4hp model carries the largest in-built fuel tank. Meanwhile, the portable 4hp four-stroke also packs a punch, offering smooth and quiet running with great economy. It’s a 112cc single-cylinder model with twin multipurpose handles for easy carrying, mounting and operating and a 6A alternator for powering onboard electrics.