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Feedback on Honda 4 Cycle 2HP

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/16/2003 : 21:16:34

I am looking for a new motor for my dinghy and I am considering the BF2, Honda's 4 Cycle 2HP which weights in at 28 lbs.

The dinghy is a West SB-285.

I realize this puppy will not drive the boat onto a plane. The big question I have is will it drive the dinghy with a load of three people or 500 lbs. into a current.

I am mainly interested in hearing if anyone owns this motor.

John Kountz
Foolish Treasure #668

Edited by - on

jkountz
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2003 : 21:10:43

I bought a used Honda 4 Cycle 2HP today on condition that I could return. Paid 4 BU's.

Will report results early next week.

John Kountz
Foolish Treasure #668

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2003 : 20:19:57

I got 4.5 kts on full throttle with the Honda 2HP this weekend. That lasted about 100 yards and then the motor quit. Could not restart, had to row back.

Nedless to say I will be returning the motor. Really did not get a proper evaluation of the motor. I would like more power but with that comes weight.

I am wondering where people store their dinghy motors while under-way.

John Kountz
Foolish Treasure #668

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2003 : 21:46:50

John,

I store my 8 hp honda '93 in the aft berth. Instead of selling the motor when I bought the extra long shaft 2001, I kept it for the dinghy because at 79 lbs it is barely manageable but it will plane the dinghy which if very nice sometimes.

When cruising, I don't carry the aft cushions unless a third person is aboard and then the larger cushion is carried to make it a quarter berth.

Otherwise I use a carpet remnant in the back berth for storage and have a plywood pallet that the motor sets on and clamps to so that it doesn't roll around.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2003 : 14:03:00

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I am wondering where people store their dinghy motors while under-way.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I clamp the 25-year-old Evinrude 2 hp to the teak rail bracket that came with my C25.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cf39b3127cce92448cf405a80000001610" border=0>

Maybe something like this http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001& langId=-1& catalogId=10001& productId=45429 would work on the C250?

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2003 : 16:16:34

We have a new Mercury Classic 3.5 HP dinghy motor. Forward and neutral gears. Integral tank. The tiller does not have a twist grip (throttle control is on the body). Weight 28 lbs. The 2.5 HP weighed 27. Started first time, runs great, bought on eBay for $575 (no tax) $40 shipping. Wife can pull the cord and get it started no problem. Will not plane the dinghy but moves it along just fine with a family of 4 aboard.

By the way, we bought a 10' Sevlor PVC inflatable dinghy at Costco (Price Club) for $80. This is not a kids toy, it's pretty tough. More than an inflatable plastic toy, it IS lighter than a real West Marine PVC dinghy. I built my own motor mount for $30. Even if it unrepairable after one season I can buy 10 of these for the price of one (smaller) West Marine dinghy. The Sevelor rolls up easily and stores in the quarter berth. Worked great and survived our first 3 day weekend with kids, dogs, fishing, beach landing, assembly and disassebly.

Dinghy motor hangs on a motor bracket mounted to the stern stanchion. 30 lbs seems to be no problem for this stanchion mount.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2003 : 02:07:13

We bought the 2hp Honda and have had no problems with it. It (as said before) does not plane the West Marine inflatable dingy, stored in the quarter berth, but did move our family of 4 along fast enough (who's in such a hurry anyway??).
We store the motor in the cockpit storage locker, a great hole to drop all sorts of stuff / junk / ballast. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Ours has the centripedal clutch so that it idles without moving the prop. Turn the handle and clutch engages and off you go!
Reverse is done by turning the motor head around, the handle flips over the top....easy.

Gary & Susan Norgan
C25 tall/wing
Classical Cat #5944
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc35b3127cce94ddf43b35f60000001010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2003 : 22:33:56

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Ours has the centripedal clutch...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Gary: Actually, it's probably "centrifugal"--activated by the outward spinning force, not the inward one.

...Your friendly amateur physicist <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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jkountz
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2003 : 14:02:21

I tested both 2 and 5 HP Honda 4 cycles and decided on the 2 HP. It pushes my West 285-SB just fine and is very easy to move around and store weighing 28 lbs.

The 5 HP could not get my West 285-SB up on-plane, even with one person. I was surprised at how much more difficult it was to move around the 5 HP which weights-in at 61 lbs.

When I was test driving the 2HP I encountered a problem with the motor cutting out after running a short distance. I finally figured out that the fuel vent valve was closed and this prevented the motor from drawing fuel. There is a small vent valve attached to the top of the fuel fill cap on the integrated fuel tank. It’s not readily apparent when you look at the fuel fill cap that there is a vent valve at the top.

After having given up frustrated I sat down and read the manual and sure enough in the how to start instructions it mentioned opening the fuel vent valve 2-3 turns.

Another advantage of the 2 HP is that is many conditions I can leave the motor attached to the transom of the dinghy while under tow. It is very light and does not cause the dinghy to porpoise while under-tow..

John Kountz
Foolish Treasure #668

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