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Dinghy outboards

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Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/28/2007 : 12:08:34

Hi, folks -

I'm going to buy a small (approx. 2HP) outboard for our Walker Bay 8 dinghy next spring. Does anybody have any recommendations?

The dinghy will be used primarily for boat-to-shore travel, a few hundred yards at a time (we've got a dog who hasn't figured out how to use the marine head yet, which puts him only slightly behind us on the learning curve).

Thanks,

Bill Arden
Prana - C250WK #898
Apostle Islands, WI

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 14:50:48

I bought a Suzuki 2 1/2 4 stroke for mine and just love it. Gas tank on motor, quiet, powerful, 360 steerage. About $800 in FL, or was last fall.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 17:15:50

Bill,
We've got a Mercury 4hp that we were able to pick up on Craigslist for about $100. The guy was selling an Avon 315 for $695, and added the engine to the deal for the extra $100. I've got the engine in the shop to have it gone through, tuned up, carb job and impeller replaced, and they're quoting me $125 for the work. I figure for $200-$300 I'll have a decent engine. It has the gas tank on top like Dave's, the only thing I wish it had was a way to attach a regular tank to it so we could have more range if needed, but so far it hasn't been necessary.

On the other hand, I kind of like rowing the Avon to shore for our chocolate lab who hasn't figured out the head yet either. Your Walker Bay should row like a dream compared to an inflatable.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 17:58:54

Bill, I want a Honda 2hp for my WB10. Around here they are $950. Defender has a sale for $750 which is a real bargain BUT Honda does not permit them to ship their outboards. So, you feel like driving to Connecticut?

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 18:50:30

Randy,
Have you checked out the [url="http://www.onlineoutboards.com/2hp_tohatsu_outboard_motor.html"]2hp Tohatsu[/url] at onlineoutboards.com? List $769 free shipping, no tax and with our member discount you could get even a better deal.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 20:02:30

I got the Honda 2, mostly because of weight. It's a bit noisier, but that's because it's air cooled--a positive in terms of maintenance. It also has a centrifugal clutch instead of a shift (as on the Tohatsu 2 or 3.5), but that's also part of the weight savings. Everything in boating is a compromise, and that's the compromise I chose. (BTW, I live near Defender, so the local Honda dealer came very close to matching their boat show sale price.)

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 20:25:51

Tom, I like the Honda becaue it weight 28lbs while the Tohatsu is 41. While on the topic, does anyone tow their dink with the motor on it? If that is possible then the weight would not be such a factor.

I bought a Tohatsu from these folks for my C22 and was very pleased with the service.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/28/2007 20:26:56

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 20:52:56

Yea, that 41 pounds is a little on the heavy side to be lifting back and forth between the the boat and dingy. I picked up a 2hp Johnson off e-Bay a couple years ago for $125. It weights in at about 25 pounds. The wife can easily lift it off the rail mount and hand it to me in the dink.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 22:15:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 ...While on the topic, does anyone tow their dink with the motor on it?...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The increased drag will slow you down. BTW, at the suggestion of a friend, I went over to Defender and loosened and lifted the Tohatsu and Honda from their display stands... That's how to decide whether 28 vs 41 lbs. is significant. For me, it was an eye-opener. My thanks to my friend!

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2007 : 22:49:28

Ya know, just like the latest Pick up, I'm sure that all the outboards mentioned are great so pick the closest one for the best price!

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2007 : 17:39:00

Bill went w/ a Tohatsu 6hp for several reasons. Difference in weight between a 4 or 6 same-at least for Tohatsu, which many of my sailing friend have and love. I was considering a 2 or 3 but thought of maybe needing my dinghy as a life/survival raft in the smaller engine concerned me. If that were not at the back of my mind, I would have gone with a 2 or 3 hp. So I went for the 6hp. Its a great engine.
I also have had Hondas and think they are great too. Good luck.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2007 : 15:58:42

Well, I ended up buying a 1982 Evinrude 2hp outboard on e-bay. Story is it is hardly used at all and the photos sure look great. It weighs 22 lbs and parts are still vaailable from Evinrude. It shipped yesterday and should be here by the beginning of next week. If it turns out as advertised I'll be a hapy camper. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of the tubes that make the WB a rigid inflatable. Anybody have those??

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2007 : 20:42:40

1982 hardly-used 2-stroke... A spray can of ether should take care of it.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2007 : 10:17:56

Randy,
I saw a guy advertising in the Seattle Craigslist where he will custom make the tubes, but he says he needs the boat to do so. I'll try to find the ad again for you. Walker Bay makes tubes too, I think, but I'm sure they're spendy and maybe they don't make them for the 8' model?

Found it, [url="http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/438810579.html"]here you go[/url].

Make sure you get his contact info, the ad will expire pretty soon.

Edited by - delliottg on 10/04/2007 10:20:24

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2007 : 10:45:44

WB's kits are less $ and they have them for 8-footers.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2007 : 14:43:47

I just bought the Walker Bay tubes for my 10' WB from Hamiltonmarine.com for $799 which is $200 off regular price. I have done business with them before and they are a good online store.

So now I have the WB dinghy with tubes and an outboard. We also got a crab net setup so watch out you dungeness crabs - we are gonna get you!!

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2007 : 09:28:22

I did share this on another post but the dingy I have had since 1980 is a Livingston 8', twin hull which is very stable. It fits in or on top of a camper with an 8' bed. I did glue carpet around the edges which protects it an the 25. I tow with the outboard on it and the tank and oars tie forward for balance. I now have a 9.8 Mercury, gift from friend. It could push the 25 with the dingy tied along side as a back up for the main outboard when cruising. WM had a set of dingy wheels that fold down which makes it like a wheelbarrow and can be launched at a ramp with outboard ready and everything else on board. This also allows the dingy to be pulled up on shore without grinding the bottom. I have to remember to fold the wheels up for water use. I have replaced the gas fitting with an extended fuel line and installed a gas line fitting, same as all my tanks. I do have a 4 hp Mercury that the Grandchildren can use and I put a tee fitting on the fuel line with a fuel line and same fitting for the tank. I use the fire resistant fuel line on all the tanks and modified outboards.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2008 : 22:49:12

Check Ebay. I frequently see 2.5-3.3 o/b's on there.

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Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 20:25:37

I considered the Honda for the reliability and weight but I bought the Suzuki 2.5. It's cheaper and only 28 lbs. Unlike the Honda, the Suze is water cooled, making it way quieter 2 HP Honda. I have had it for two years and so far no problems.

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