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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

light weight outboard - Honda 2hp?

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/10/2003 : 08:27:51

I want to get a smaller, lighter motor for my dinghy - the Honda 10 I have been using is too much for my relatively small 10' Apex roll-up, and is so heavy I am afraid I will end up dropping it on my foot one of these days. Is anyone using the Honda 2 hp? The 28# weight is nice, but I am concerned about the lack of a gear-shift. Does this get annoying after a while, not having a neutral position? I guess you have to keep starting and shutting down the engine at every stop, and it seems this would get old after a while. I was also looking at 4 hp engines, like Nissan/Tohatsu, but these nearly DOUBLE in weight, to 58#. Is there any alternative to the Honda 2 that is under 40# weight, is a 4-stroke (mandatory on several California lakes now), and has forward-neutral-reverse gears?

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 09:05:27

I had an Evinrude something on my Daysailor and it didn't have a gear shift lever, and if I wanted to reverse I had to swing the motor around. Subsequently, I never reversed the boat. Landing was not two difficult, except maybe the day I shut down to early to land at the dock. Only problem was I was going slow, and still 2 feet away. When I stop coasting, a couple of seconds later, I was still 2 feet away, and as tried the long step I went into the water. Oh well, I usually used that motor only in difficult situations, and sailed in and off the dock.

I'd think it would be an excellant choice for a dink.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 10:22:28

Larry: The Honda 2 has a centrifugal clutch that engages when you throttle up a little. At idle, it's supposed to be in neutral. If you're buying from a dealer, he can demo that for you. I've heard no complaints, except that with one cylinder and air cooling, it isn't as smooth and quiet as the bigger Hondas. For a dinghy kicker, however, you might want to consider going 2-stroke so you don't have to worry about laying the motor down the wrong way and dumping the oil.

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

Edited by - dave b on 07/10/2003 10:26:21

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2003 : 12:20:26

That centrifical clutch must be on newer Hondas. Mine has no such thing. Its either running or its off. No gear selection forward or reverse. Its not a problem as I aproach the shore or boat I make sure I have enough momentum to reach either as I push the kill switch. Dinghy oars can get you the last few feet if you need them. That said here is how I feel about your situation. If your not using someting other than braun to lift your motor onto your dink then you need to. Either your main halyard or a toping lift. A simple engine cradle can be tied from rope if your good at knots or you can purchase one. Once the engine is in a sling you can darn near one hand it by guiding the rope and its cargo onto the back of the dink. One person on the line and one guides the engine as it is lowered. You will also find that the 2Hp Honda will be way to small for the 10' inflatable. I have a 6' Maxxon and its slow on it.

One other idea on the sling / halyard set up is that some people use their life sling tackle to raise and lower the engine.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 08:56:17

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
your not using someting other than braun to lift your motor onto your dink then you need to. Either your main halyard or a toping lift. A simple engine cradle can be tied from rope if your good at knots or you can purchase one. Once the engine is in a sling
One other idea on the sling / halyard set up is that some people use their life sling tackle to raise and lower the engine.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The problem in lifting the engine isn't getting it on and off "Quiet Time", it's getting it in and out of the back of my truck. This dinghy is a roll-up, not on a trailer, so every time I use it, I have to transport the rolled-up boat and the outboard in my pickup truck, and it's about 200 feet from my storage shed to the closest place to park the truck for loading it. That's where I am afraid of dropping the 100#+ Honda 10 on my foot...

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 09:03:01

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
air cooling, it isn't as smooth and quiet as the bigger Hondas. For a dinghy kicker, however, you might want to consider going 2-stroke so you don't have to worry about laying the motor down the wrong way and dumping the oil.

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

Edited by - dave b on 07/10/2003 10:26:21
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Two-stroke engines are banned on at least three lakes in California now - Tahoe, Donner, and Berryessa, and the ban is expected to spread to several more lakes and the lower American River by 2006. No way would I buy a two-stroke motor. Our sailing club has two of them for sale, a Johnson 6 and a 9.9 with electric start, and we can't get rid of either one for even the absurdly low asking price of $200 (a throwaway price). No one here wants a two stroke, and there are hundreds for sale locally, flooding the market.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 10:13:10

"I have to transport the rolled-up boat and the outboard in my pickup truck, and it's about 200 feet from my storage shed "

Why not buy or build a motor cart? (looks like a 'dolly' but with a bracket for the motor). Sure beats lugging a 100 lb motor. I use a dolly in conjunction with my motor stand to get the motor up and down the dock. The cart doubles as a storage stand for the motor too.

There's one down at the bottom of this page...

http://www.cgedwards.com/garelick/gar2.html

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 11:13:08

This was an issue for me when converting to the 2001 Honda 8. Previously, it wasn't much problem to move the 79 lb Honda 8 Classic from the motor mount to the dinghy...but forget trying that with 108 lbs... and dealing with the starter chord.

Trading my Honda 8 Classic for a light weight motor was going to incurr a little more money and more important, give up planing.

Decided to keep it. 79 lbs is manageable with a tackle system. It stores below, lifts out and sets on the inflatable... no lifting required.

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]

Edited by - on

jmorrical
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2003 : 14:06:03

Check out http://www.honda-marine.com for a short vidio clip on the Honda 2 HP. Click on MODELS tab to find 2 HP information. I'd buy one if I had a dingy.

Jim Morrical
Trilogy III
250WK #401

Edited by - jmorrical on 07/11/2003 16:19:16

Edited by - jmorrical on 07/11/2003 16:21:58

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 02:38:56

Larry, if you are still interested in a new motor I'd take a look at the Yamaha 2.5. We just got one ourselves. We were looking at the Honda 2 when I came across the data on the Yamaha. It has slightly more power, it is water cooled, gets more miles to the gallon, and has a transmission (forward and neutral). The motor turns 360 degrees to reverse or whatever. (This kids and I discovered that if we turn the motor 90 degrees and open it up you can make your dad dizzy and sick <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>)

The manual recommends that you store upright but you can lay it on one side, we did and did not have a problem.

I looked at the 4hp, but I wanted it light enough for my wife to lift on her own.

I don't have any prior ob experience so that is about all I think I can offer.

Todd Hansen
Fior Gra'
San Luis Obispo, CA

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 08:48:52

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Larry, if you are still interested in a new motor I'd take a look at the Yamaha 2.5. We just got one ourselves. We were looking at the <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Thanks, I will check it out. I looked at the specs, and the Yahaha looks like it might be more durable, being water cooled, but it is 33% heavier (10 pounds heavier) than the Honda, and is only available in a short shaft. The Honda comes in either a short or medium shaft, a distinct advantage. The Yamaha's 40# heft isn't too bad, but I don't think my wife could lift it, whereas she could (just barely) manage the Honda 2. What is the retail price on the Yamaha 2.5?

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 18:03:49

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...Yahaha looks like it might be more durable, being water cooled...<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
I don't know why... My air-cooled, 4-cycle lawnmower engine outlasted the mower it was on, which I trashed after about 25 years when the deck rusted through. Air cooling has a benefit: No impeller to burn out or water channels to clog or corrode in the block. That little sucker may last longer than you or I do! <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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