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Mike Humfreville
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Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Small Outboard Motors (UPDATE)
I'm looking for advice on small outboards. The only place I fish is Sea if Cortez. We have a 14-foot 65 mil Gregor tin boat. I'm looking to replace
the nearly new 25 horse 2-stroke outboard, or ???. I called several boat stores and am confused about their advice. My 25 horse 2-stroke weighed
about 100-120 lbs. But the dealers are telling me that I can't buy a similar new engine as 2-cycle's are no longer allowed in California. So, even
though I won't be using it in California, I still can't buy it in California.
The sellers are telling me that 4-stroke engines are the thing now, but they weigh quite a bit more. I'm thinking that the 25 horse 4-stroke might be
too heavy for my 14-foot tin boat. I'd have no problem with either but need advice from someone who knows more than I do and I need to buy and accept
delivery in So. Cal before 7/3 this year.
Any ideas or suggestions?
_____________________
UPDATE:
What I was told today after visiting 4-5 boating stores in Ventura is:
1. New 2-stroke outboards cannot be purchased or imported into California
2. Used 2-stroke motors can be legally purchased in California.
3. Used 4-stroke are few and almost possible to find. They are so new that no one is ready to replace them yet.
4. 4-strokes weigh 15 - 20% more than 2-strokes.
5. 3-strokes cost a little more.
6. Since I will only be using it in Baja, why not buy it there?
7. In many villages in Baja more locals use and repair more 4-stroke motors that 2-strokes.
8. Mildly variable fuel quality (like those occasionally found in Baja) is not more harmful to one engine than the other.
9. 4-strokes are generally considered cleaner for what seems like sensible reasons.
10. The 4-strokes come "out of the hole" faster because they deal better with low end RPM.
11. There is some new technology in 2-stroke manufacturer that may shake some/all of the California objection to their previous polution.
Of the motors we looked at today the Honda 20 HP 4-stroke seems like a reasonable fit for my needs (offered @ $2600.00). Also Nissan makes an 18 horse
4-stroke (offered @$2250.00), but that might be a little less power than I need. We were shown Yamaha 4-cycle engines also: a 15 horse (@ $2525.00 and
a 25-horse (@ $3000.00). The search continues. Thanks for the great info and I'll keep you posted.
[Edited on 6-27-2004 by Mike Humfreville]
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elgatoloco
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So, your buddies WERE telling the truth??
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Mike Humfreville
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EGL,
Well, my bud's do like to set me up and I honestly wasn't sure until tonight when Kevin, our 25 year old, decided to get a bunch of pals/gals and go
down over the 4th and I had to call my buddies and get the truth out of them. So the final word is that the motor's a done deal.
On a note re the story of the motor, it might be difficult to wrap up the responsibilities of who owes what with respect to the outboard. But the
difficulty turns out to be trying to keep the other guy from doing too much for you rather than too little. That's what friends are for. Baja: sea
or shore, we're here for each other. She's taught us that lesson of values.
Hang in there and write on.
Mike
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dono
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Registered: 9-11-2003
Location: Los Barriles B.C.S. Mex
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Mike why don't you buy a new outboard in Mexico, i think they still sell new 2 strokes down here.
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lewm
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outboard
I used a 25 horse Susuki for years on my inflatable. Great power. It was getting to heavy as I got older. Now use a 15 horse. Still gets around
pretty good.
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Socalz
Newbie
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Registered: 8-31-2003
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Not only are the 4 strokes 20% heavier than a comparable 2 stroke, they're also more expensive. Since time is a factor, a drive to Arizona may be in
order or pick one up in Mexico as suggested earlier.
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sin nombre
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25hp is enough for that size boat, but you probably know how the weather can churn up in a hurry. 14' is rather short for those waves down there,
just don't venture out too far from shore with it.
Also, for all the cost of buying a motor, trailering the boat down there, then paying $3.00 per gallon for gas.... sometimes its cheaper, easier and
more fruitful to go out on a panga with a guide. You step on the boat in the morning, and step off when you come home. No washing, flushing
securing, anchoring, etc.
Just another perspective.
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Don Jorge
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Mike,
The difference in weight for a 25 hp two stroke vs. four stroke is going to be around 35 pounds. The efficiency, reliability, odor free and super
quiet operation of a four stroke far outweigh the few pounds in weight savings. Therefore, IMHO, a four stroke is the logical choice. Yamaha or
Honda, period.
Enjoy!
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LaTijereta
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Buy the 4-Stroke
Mike,
You can get a great deal in Ensenada on the 4 strokes (yamaha).. No import fees and sales tax from the dealer there
Kristian
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JZ
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Buy a 2-stroke
Get a 40hp Tohatsu for the same weight as a 25hp 4-stroke. Tohatsu makes good engines.
These guys seem to have good pricing: www.onlineoutboards.com. But won't ship to California.
Check e-bay, sometimes there is some interesting stuff up there.
[Edited on 6-26-2004 by JZ]
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jrbaja
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Not if you care
about protecting the Sea of Cortez. 4 stroke is cleaner!
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Debra
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Oh Man Mike!
I was hopeing they were just yanking your chain (I know how good Barsom is at that) 
Too bad about the motor, but, seems that it just wanted to stay down there (from past experience) you weren't even there this time and still lost
another rig! 
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David K
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Listen, Mike (poor old Mike?) needs to keep the weight down!!... Here he is barely able to carry two 'little' yellowtails up the beach at Gecko last
July!
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JZ
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Watch out for the heavy seas!
| Quote: | Originally posted by sin nombre
14' is rather short for those waves down there, just don't venture out too far from shore with it.
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http://tv-antenna.com/heavy-seas/
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sin nombre
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Well, they don't get them to rival those of Cape Horn, but that was actually the nickname we gave one of our local points at one time! When the
conditions are such that the current runs against the wind, especially around points and out of wind protected areas, it gets quite nasty. A 14' boat
fits nice and snug in between the swells and makes for a interesting ride... The goal is generally to bridge the two waves, and not get trapped in
between every set. We had a 22' panga and this was was just barely long enough.
Hade enough close calls in bad weather on seemingly beautiful, harmless days.
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JZ
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Tres Virgenes
The cape 25 miles North of Santa Rosalia. There is an under-water ridge that runs out to Tortuga.
The worst I've been in. It went from perfectly flat to 6-8', with a 3 second period. And I've put 200 hours on the Pacific in the last 20 months.
Your right, when the tide conflicts with the wind that's the problem. It's why so many inlets in Florida are so nasty.
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Bedman
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Mike, I've done a bit of home work on the outboard motor "cha cha". I dont have time to look this second but will find the info for you later on
tonight. In a nutshell I've decided to buy a 9.9 4 stroke. It has the same power as a 15hp, 2 stroke and only weighs 88 pounds. Is quiet and clean
and can be used anywhere. You also might want to contact JJ (Fishhunter) he has a 25 HP Suzuki I traded him and he thinks its WAYYyy too much motor
for his 14' Valco and is looking to sell or trade for a smaller one. (and if I ever needed someone to take care of an outboard HE would be "Da Man".
He's a stickler for performance and service on his equipment.
Steve
Steve
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JZ
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Any interest in a 4-stroke 15hp Yamaha
I bought it and decided it was too heavy for my 11' zodiac.
Less than 1 hour on it and the warranty hasn't been filed.
Electric start. I just want to dump it at this point, so I'm willing to give you deal of the century. If I remember correctly I think you are in
Ventura, about 10 miles from me.
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honda tom
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hello mike, I met you once at gonzaga, i was on my honda heading south, and gave a tube to your friend el comote............... anyway... in 1980 my
dad bought a 9.9 4-stroke honda for his 14' valco. We used it on and off for several years and it always started first or second pull. once it set for
2 years.... it took three pulls! I cleaned the carb and took it to loreto as a kicker motor for a trip to la paz. It took a 24' cabin boat the last 10
miles into la paz at trolling speed. He recently purchased a 15 hp mercury, and i inheirited the honda, 24 years old and its still a first pull
starter, (its also quiet). The honda 9.9 would not plane the valco, the 15 does plane the boat. The main reason the merc was purchased was to be a
kicker on a 24' cabin (aluminum). Per the honda website, the honda 15 weighs 101lbs. If I were you i would talk to the guy with the suzuki 15hp for
sale another great motor...... or go buy the honda... imho unless your boat is a center consel or a highbow 25 hp seems like too much. good luck.
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Mike Humfreville
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Honda Tom
I remember the moment with you guys doing desert riding and giving El Camote what I remember as) 2 tubes, one old and one new. That far into the
outback how could we forget.
I'm a little woried that the 15 wouldn't get us on plane. My Gregor is the heavier model (~66 mil aluminum vs. 44 mil for the lighter version) and I
think the minimum HP should be in the 20 range.
Hope all is well with you. It's been a while since you posted. Camote has a new young'n by the way.
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