Shopping for Dinghy Motor

[Seevee]

Looking for a gas outboard motor in the 8 to 10 hp range for the dinghy, probably in the 5 to 10 year old range.

What are some of the better motors out there?

I've got a great 6 hp Suzuki that has been great, but just too small to push the boat around. It's also got a built in gas tank, which I also like. It's older, perhaps 15 years old, but has less than 1 hour on it when I bought it. Would love to find it's larger cousin in excellent shape.

Other good ones?

 

[kchace]

I like the Tohatsu/Mercury in that range. Very reliable.


Ken

 

[Larry M]

We’ve had 3-9.8hp 2 stroke Tohatsus. Light in weight and reliable. Great engines.

 

[Nomad Willy]

They are all good.
I like engines w the remote fuel. I use a 3 gallon tank.

 

[jleonard]

Find a 2 stroke Yamaha.

 

[psneeld]

And not get out bid for it...

 

[LaBomba]

I have had a number of Yamaha outboards, generators, snowmobiles etc. and had wonderful experiences with them all. I had a 6 HP Tohatsu for the last 5 years and told the company rep I was going to use it as an anchor. Nothing but problems with it right from the day it I bought it new. It was likely just a lemon but I would never buy another.

 

[Larry M]

Allan: Two stroke or four?

 

[LaBomba]

Allan: Two stroke or four?

Four stroke Larry.

 

[Ski in NC]

I've got a 8hp Merc two stroke made in 2003. Really a Tohatsu. It is one of the nicest running two strokes that I have owned, and I have owned many. Starts super easy, idles smooth, does not stall. A nice feature is shift is in the throttle handle so if you put a PVC extension on it you can shift from the extension. Same basic engine in the 8-9.9-15hp so might as well get the higher hp. I don't like four strokes in motors this small. Heavy and vibrate. Yamaha two strokes in this hp class are very nice, but hard to find or pricey.

 

[IRENE]

We have an 8hp Mercury, 2010 model. It came as a tender motor on the boat we purchased, and I had no maintenance history and did not run it during the survey (intentional). I replaced the Livingston with an AB Inflatables 9.5, and hung the Merc on it. My expectations were very low.

I put in fresh gas, and it started on the second pull. Ran it for a few months in occasional tender duty. It runs quietly and efficiently, and starts without trouble (we run ethanol-free with Seafoam). It is quiet and smooth enough to be pleasant puttering around, which is 75% of our mission. It will plane the AB with both of us and the Pug aboard and run 16 knots. The oils were changed halfway through summer.

Last week I had the local shop replace the impeller and a few other things. They said the lower unit had never been removed/impeller was original, and it looked very good. Coincidentally they had the same motor, a few years older, for sale on the floor for about $1300.

So the 8hp Mercury is turning out to be a great little performer. It would be a great value for $1300.

Good Luck