Outboards The Next Generation 5

As we approach the smallest outboard motors, it’s worth recapping their origin. Norwegian-American machinist and engineer Ole Evinrude is credited with the invention of the outboard motor in 1909. Necessity, as Thomas Edison once declared, is the mother of invention—for the inventor claimed to have been inspired by having to row a boat to get ice-cream for his girlfriend on a hot day. Whether he struggled with both oars and a cone, or had a tub at his feet, is not recorded.

Either way, the girlfriend clearly didn’t enjoy her lukewarm dairy beverage sufficiently once it had arrived, as her beau came up with a faster way to get a small boat across the water because of it. The portable 5hp outboard motor comes in handy powering small boats—the portable you carry on your roof rack over roads that are far too rough to risk a trailered boat, the tender that takes you and your guests to and from your luxury yacht, or the zippy little runabout you use for a spot of fishing.

Honda
Even at 5hp, Honda’s four-stroke quality ensures proven reliability. The large displacement, water cooled engine of the BF5 boasts Honda’s ‘4-Front Corrosion Protection’—a patented ‘Double Sealed’ multi-layered paint process with sacrificial anodes and stainless steel technology along with waterproof connectors, all ensuring better rust protection. A front mount carrying handle makes the lightweight and compact unit easy to carry and install, while shallow water drive reduces the risk of engine damage in those more remote locations.

Mariner
As crude oil prices climb, it’s good to know that your Mariner four-stroke 5hp motor has reduced fuel consumption by 40 percent. It offers quiet smooth running with exceptional idling capabilities along with through prop exhaust, drowning engine noise below the water. Six trim positions as well as shallow water drive means you can take this motor anywhere. The two-stroke offers loop-charged induction maximising the fuel/air mixture for the best possible fuel economy. It offers multiple trim positions and shallow water driver—for easily navigating remote waterholes— as well as 360° steering. And comes with its own fuel tank.

Mercury
Mercury’s four-stroke 5hp motor features a decompression system for quick and effortless starting, followed by quiet, smooth running and exceptional idling—aided by through-prop exhaust that keeps engine noise underwater for quieter boating. Six trim positions plus shallow water drive means versatility, while all of Mercury Marine’s four-stroke outboard motors have reduced fuel consumption by 40 percent. The Portable 5hp two-stroke offers quick and easy starts while six trim positions, a shallow water drive and 360° steering ensure improved access to harder-to-reach fishing holes. This ‘ultra-light workhorse’ provides more power per dollar courtesy of its loop-charged induction.

Suzuki
Suzuki’s portable four-stroke 5hp engine offers fuel-saving technology that takes a boat further than any comparable two-stroke. Its 138cc displacement is the largest in its class, while its excellent low to mid range torque, coupled with its lightness, results in impressive acceleration. While the 180° steering offers good manoeuvrability, a built-in 1.5L fuel tank and large carrying handle make for great convenience.

Tohatsu
The MFS5 offers a thermostatically controlled cooling system for consistent engine temperature. The water cooling pump is housed in stainless steel, and all internal water passages are coated with zinc, for greater corrosion resistance. A low oil pressure indicator gives visual and audible overheat warnings and start-in-gear protection improves overall safety. The simpler-in-design two-stroke M5 offers a high-grade aluminium alloy, along with the zinc coating of internal water passages, to protect against corrosion. Its loop-charged induction offers smooth operation and fuel economy. Conveniently, the M5 comes with a built-in 2.5L fuel tank, coupled with the ability to connect to a separate 12L fuel tank.

Yamaha
Yamaha’s 5hp two-stroke portable outboard is built light and compact, so you can take it just about anywhere. The single cylinder 103cc engine is ideal for small tenders and portable boat applications where a compact profile, lightness and durability are paramount. Some convenient features of Yamaha’s 5hp engine include a fuel tank, provided inside the cowling, eliminating the need of a separate tank—although a fuel line connection is also present for the optional remote tank; full circle steering, for exceptional manoeuvrability; and an engine stop switch lanyard, to clip to your clothing or wrist, which will stop the engine automatically if you leave the helm.


View all 5hp outboards.