Honda 2.0HP vs Suzuki 2.5HP

Submitted by shugart5372 on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:15
Which is better for the SCOT....easiest to start, quietest, easiest to manage speed (fwd and reverse and no speed), easiest to tilt out of water without modifications, etc.....any special comments. Thanks, Jim
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Comments

In my opinion the Honda 2HP is the way to go.

Submitted by bigpapaporsche on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 10:47.
In my opinion the Honda 2HP is the way to go. Here why, and how I see the comparison! 1. Any Honda product is considered the "Gold Standard,"regardless what type of product you are looking at, outboard motor, car, generator, etc. As a result of the great reputation they have earned, their re-sale value/ease of re-sale is very good, and is the best in their class. 2.Additionally, I particuarily like some of Honda's 2HP features that other engines, in this HP/size range don't offer. These would include, a 5year warranty,no one else, that I know of, offers this level of confidence in their products. 3.The Honda is a little more expensive by about $100.00. 4.The Honda weight is a lowest in the industry, by 3lbs. 5.The Honda doesn't have a transmission to shift gears, it uses a centrifugal clutch instead. this translate into less maintenance and easier use. 6. The Honda is air cooled rather than water cooled, again less maintenance. You will here comments that the Honda 2Hp is loud, This is a natural-by-product of being air cooled, has compared to water cooled. We have used our Honda for 2 years now on our FS and have found it not to be objectional. Of couse air cooled translates into less maintenance!! 7. As a matter of interest, I have seen used Honda 2HP selling on E-Bay for more than we bought our for! 8. Be sure to use the search function in the forum to find out more info on the subject. Finally, we bought the long shaft Honda 2HP of our FS. If I had to do it over again, I would get the short shaft motor. I plan to investigate the possiblity of converting our long shaft to short shaft.

Papa Pat, Thanks.

Submitted by shugart5372 on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 15:09.
Papa Pat, Thanks. I have a 2003 2HP Honda long shaft which was fine for our last boat but decided I would rather have a short shaft. Some fellow (forgot name) on this forum has a 2.5 Suzuki short shaft and likes his. And as you said, I can see already I will have no trouble selling my Honda locally via sail clubs around here. FYI, also found I can get the Suzuki 2.5 for $570 but have to go get it (3h40m) and pay cash....no problem. The least for the Honda 2HP is $800 but does not include shipping (not known yet) but place is Florida and I am in western part of Virginia. All dealers say the Tohatsu is best quality out of Suzuki-Tohatsu-Nissan but it also weighs about 10 lbs more....no way. The Suzuki is only 2 lbs more than Honda for short shaft. So I am tending toward the Suzuki for price and availability. I was thinking of selling my Honda on Ebay but would have to say the buyer would have to come get it.....no shipping....way too prohibitive. I do consider the Honda to be a little loud, so wish I could hear a Suzuki or see decibel results....porobably not available. Thanks again and best wishes Jim

I ordered a short shaft Suzuki 2.

Submitted by sungberg on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 11:04.
I ordered a short shaft Suzuki 2.5 from NewOutboards.com........I paid 650$ with no state sales tax added and free shipping......Am very happy with the motor......Had to modify the motor bracket......Raise the wooden block about a little over an inch so that the motor would tilt up all the way

I also wanted to have a motor on my Flying Scot and had the same

Submitted by Rog Klettke on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 11:16.
I also wanted to have a motor on my Flying Scot and had the same questions. Bigpapaporsche gives a nice review from the "Honda" side and has helped me with excellent advice on multiple issues so I value his advice. I am also a fan of Honda quality, but I ultimately chose the Suzuki 2.5 HP with standard shaft and am very happy with the purchase. I liked the quieter engine, the ability to shift rather than the centrifugal clutch, and slightly higher rated HP. The quietness, which was my main consideration, is related to being water cooled. As I sail on fresh water being water cooled is not really an issue. If I sailed salt water, I would probably prefer the air cooled engine as I wouldn't have to be as concerned with always flushing the cooling system out with fresh water after each use. I do like the shifting with it's ability to run the engine at just above a slow idle and still be in gear. This also keeps the noise down. (You can see I really like things to be quiet), but I'm sure that the centrifugal clutch works fine also, and "it's what you get use to." Even though the HP is rated higher on the Suzuki, I don't know if the actual thrust capabilities of the engines differ by that much. The 2.5, and I'm sure the 2.0 HP, engines are both very adequate to push the Flying Scot nicely. I did have to raise the motor mount to allow the engine to lock in the upright position. but I just put in a taller board so no changes were needed on the boat itself. This was very easy and also raised the engine to the proper position for the cavitation plate per Suzuki's recommendation. Being a very practical person (read as cheap), I would check on the price of converting to a short shaft the Honda you already own (just like bigpapaporsche is considering), if that's the major issue before I'd spend additional money for a new engine. But if you decide on a new engine I would strongly consider the Suzuki 2.5HP. Like the Honda it starts easily, runs well, and has a good reputation Yes, the Suzuki will be quieter, but how much quieter and at what price?? See also the discussions in the "Cruising the Scot" section on this forum under "specific gas motor recommendations." I strongly suspect that you can't go wrong with either choice. Also be sure to read about bigpapaporshe's "palm device" to prevent the mainsheet from wrapping the engine while cruising with the engine on. It has worked well for us. Rog

I got a Honda 2 hp last summer and like it, although it weighs a

Submitted by rhwarren on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:29.
I got a Honda 2 hp last summer and like it, although it weighs a lot more than my 12lb. Cruise and Carry did. The only negative comment I'd make about the Honda is that I have to set the throttle high enough to start it that the RPMs engage the prop and she wants to go. After the motor warms up a bit it will idle slower and be in "neutral". Perhaps this problem will go away as the motor is further broken in. At this point it only has about 10 hours on it. Run full-tilt it is a little noisy, but it moves the Scot along quite well at half-throttle. It is quiet enough then that there is no need to raise voices for conversation. FS 2617 -- Cirrus

Does anyone know the approximate conversion of "thrust" from an

Submitted by topgallant3000 on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 14:37.
Does anyone know the approximate conversion of "thrust" from an electric motor to "horsepower" on a gas engine? Specifically, about how many HP is a 55 lb thrust Minkota? THANKS, Mark

Mark FS 1573

The Minn Kota motor runs on a deepcycle or other suitable 12 vol

Submitted by karafiath on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 12:04.
The Minn Kota motor runs on a deepcycle or other suitable 12 volt battery. Electric power is measured in Watts = volts x amperage. I read that the 50 lb thrust motor uses a 41 amp motor, at nominally 12 volts. That is 492 watts. 1 Hp = 745 watts. That is rougly 0.66 Hp. That is very limited oomph for a Scot. One battery will soon run down. More importantly you need to come to grips with the envisioned need for the auxiliary propulsion, why you need it and how much weight you want to carry. I have a 2 Hp watercooled two cycle Evinrude that is now probably 20 years old with just perhaps 15 hrs on it. It is great to have as a take home motor for calm days, and it runs for about an hour on the integral tank. I carry extra gas in a plastic gas can. Even with 2 Hp it had a hard time pushing the Scot into a headwind and waves. I hardly use it because I normally sail everywhere even into very tight spots and I do not really care for the extra weight. When I do cary it, I stow it mostly under the foredeck. It's main use is for the times when the wind absolutely dies to a dead calm.

Richard and Pat, Thanks for your hands-on motor info in helping

Submitted by shugart5372 on Tue, 03/10/2009 - 00:01.
Richard and Pat, Thanks for your hands-on motor info in helping me make my decision. I sold my 2003 Honda 2HP long shaft very easily for NADA avg value and then bought a new Suzuki 2.5 short shaft in Richmond VA at Ed's Marine Superstore. I took it home and put it on the motor mount after adding 1.5 inches additional height with wood blocks, it still would not lock-in in tilt-up position....urrrrrg. So I scratched my noggin, studied the motor mechanisms, and compared them to my knowledge of the ole Honda 2HP....which would lock-in when motor head turned. So I then removed the "tilt securing plate" (a plastic piece held in place with a cross metal rod and a spring to make it work) and wallah, I was able to turn the motor head and easily click it into the uptilt position. I did not relish the thought of making another motor mount and bringing it up 1 3/4". The distance from the motor mount to the bottom of the Scot transom is exactly 15", so raising it would make it then 16 3/4" and the short shaft is meant to fit 15"-17" distance.....too close to raising the cavitation plate out of the water for my comfort. In addition, I called Suzuki mfg'er customer service and asked if this was Ok (warranty wise, etc) to remove the plate and tighten the shaft collar to hold the head in the sideways position. They said sure, just be careful you don't let the head bounce around .....which is really what might happen if you had it on a powerboat going fast and bouncing around on the water....not gonna happen on a Scot. Oh, and it starts easily and is much quieter than the Honda in my test tank garbage can. Also I like how when using the carrying handle the prop blades are pointing up instead of down with the Honda. Will not be trying it on the lake for a few weeks yet. With some gas in the tank and the sump filled with oil, it tips the bathroom scales at exactly 30 lbs....about same as Honda long shaft. If anyone needs advice on how to remove the tilt securing plate, email me or I can put it on here....but really easy.

Has anybody tried a Torqeedo electric? They're a little spendy,

Submitted by username on Tue, 03/17/2009 - 10:17.
Has anybody tried a Torqeedo electric? They're a little spendy, but I could toss it on my dinghy as well.

I have the Honda 2 hp long shaft.

Submitted by Tim on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 11:38.
I have the Honda 2 hp long shaft. I think it a great motor. No regrets.