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NeilHargreaves
8 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Mar 2003 : 12:54:37
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Hi all,
I'm contemplating buying an outboard for a Stratos Keel, to motor out of the marina where I'll be keeping the boat, and for those days when the wind dies and the tide takes me backwards out of Chichester harbour towards the Isle of Wight.
There's a thread from way back, down toward the bottom of the message board, which has a few comments on outboards:
a) Laser apparently recommend maximum 3hp
b) 2.5hp mariner and mercury 3.3 are mentioned
c) Maintenance and support problems with the mercury 3.3 cause one poster to recommend Yamaha or Honda.
I wonder if anyone has any other experiences they'd like to share? Things I am wondering about are:
a) Would a 4-stroke, say a 2.5 Yamaha, be an option for quiet motoring?
b) Or would it be better to keep the weight down and go for similar power 2-stroke
c) Short shaft or long shaft?
d) Any specific comments or recommendations on model and make?
Cheers,
Neil Hargreaves
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PGuignabaudet
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2003 : 15:47:20
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I'm considering buying one too, and the Honda BF2 looks very interesting: it's a 4 stroke an weights 12.7 kg only. However, it's just 2HP. Is anybody using a BF2 on a Stratos Keel? Are the 2HP sufficient?
Regards,
Pascal
Stratos Keel 186 - Datchet
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AndrewHowe
13 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2003 : 18:29:58
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We are also looking for an engine. I spoke to Laser and they told me anything over 3HP could affect the warranty. I think the previous owner used to use a Honda BF2 which he quite liked. We were keen to stick to a 4 stroke for environmental reasons but I think that only leaves the Yamaha as an alternative It seems to be a lot dearer for the extra 0.5HP. The way this thread is going we might be able to buy in bulk!
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PGuignabaudet
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2003 : 19:09:50
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Also the Yamaha 2.5HP is a lot heavier at 17kg.
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alastairwilson
33 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2003 : 22:24:22
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I am also thinking about an engine and Laser told me that the Honda 4 stroke would be fine for the centreboard version. It is a good price @ £349 and can be bought through the internet with it delivered to home by your nearest honda dealer. I am slightly put off the 4 stroke as I understand that the engine is not as robust in that you have to be very careful about how you transport it...can't remember why, but I will look at the web site that stated this; could be something to do with the fuel and oil.
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NeilHargreaves
8 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2003 : 12:38:22
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Hmmm.... I know that Paul James from Laser keeps an eye on this message board and contributes from time to time. Paul - could you ask around inside Laser and maybe see if you can get us an accurate "official statement" on some of the questions in this thread?
a) The main thing seems to be what size engine is needed for the Stratos, keel or centreboard. I'm thinking personally of the worst case scenario - a strong tidal current against me of a number of knots and a stiff headwind. What size engine do I need to be certain of being able to make headway in those conditions?
b) Is it true that anything over 3hp can affect the warranty?
c) Long shaft or short shaft? (I know from personal conversation with Paul that he recommends long shaft, but it would be good if he could confirm that.)
d) 4-strokes have been mentioned, but there's a fairly limited choice at these sizes and they are all heavier (and more expensive?)than the equivalent power 2-stroke. I wonder which is most important - less pollution or less weight? Sadly, I'm guessing that less weight for equivalent power is the sensible choice. Less difficulty moving the motor around and less effect on the balance of the boat? I could sort of rationalise these as safety issues. But also maybe the motor won't be used that often or for very long periods anyway.
There was a review of outboard engines up to 3.5hp in the August 2001 issue of Sailing Today; you can get a back copy of the report for a small fee. They found that the Honda BF2 was the noisiest of the motors on test, despite it being a small four-stroke, because it's air cooled. They didn't review the Yamaha 2.5hp four-stroke, which I guess wasn't available at the time. The Yamaha web-site makes a point of saying that it's quieter because it's water cooled, but it's heavier by about 5 kg at something like 17kg.
Best option from their review seemed to be the Tohatsu 3.5 - basically the same power unit as the mercury and mariner 3.3hp. 2-stroke, plenty of pulling power, not too noisy, 13 kg weight, reasonably cheap.
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PGuignabaudet
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2003 : 13:36:39
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Another factor to take into account when choosing between 2 stroke and 4 stroke is fuel consumption. I believe that autonomy of a 4 stroke is twice as much as that of a two stroke. I think that autonomy with the 1l integrated fuel tank is generally 1h with a 2 stroke and 2h with a 4 stroke (to be verified).
With regard to water cooled engines they are indeed quieter but this comes at a cost: extra weight and if you've been at sea you've got to flush the water cooling system by running the engine in a barrel of fresh water to avoid corrosion.
Rgds,
Pascal |
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PaulJames
45 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2003 : 18:24:05
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Hi Everyone,
I have spoken to the technical department and they have told me that the boat will take a 4hp maximum. However a 3hp is more than enough and should suffice.
Anything more than a 4hp and that may affect the warranty
With regards to a short or long shaft there are mixed feelings amongst the sales team some prefer the long and others the short at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference there are advantages and disadvantages for both
I hope this is of some help to all of you if you have any more questions I will try and answer them as best I can.
All the best
Paul James
Laser UK Sales
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NeilHargreaves
8 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2003 : 15:56:51
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Hi again,
As someone said earlier, given the length of this thread we should definitely get a good deal for a bulk order. Maybe a Club Laser offer.....?
Still a little confused about the long shaft/ short shaft topic. Does anyone know the transom height on a Laser Keel with the outboard bracket? The Tohatsu brochure I have gives a (presumably max?) transom height for the 3.5 HP normal ("short") shaft of 15", and 20" for the long shaft, and in their owner's manual (which you can download from their web-site) they say "install the outboard so that the cavitation plate is at a level of 30 - 50 mm below the bottom line of the boat."
Paul - can you help here with some measurements perhaps? Could you maybe also say a bit more about the advantages / disadvantages with regard to short or long shaft that you mentioned in your post?
Thanks,
Neil
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JimWhite
22 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2003 : 16:46:46
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I have a short ( standard ) shaft Mercury 3.3, it's fine in 99% of situations. The 1% problem is when I'm on my own and stand on the bow ( casting off from pontoon )the engine sucks a bit of air.
Jim
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alastairwilson
33 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 01:19:46
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I haven't yet bought, but did we get an answer on long versus short shaft?
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EwanDryburgh
4 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2003 : 19:12:02
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I have a Mercury 3.3 and agree it is very good. When i have sailed with engine I not had it fixed to the transom because it looks like the movement of the rudder will be restricted. Have not had time to try yet - have you any experience.
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Topic |
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Outboard motor
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