Captain Tim Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 If you had a choice between a Suzuki 2.5 HP DF2.5L4 Outboard Motor (long shaft 20") or a HONDA 2.3 HP BF2.3DHLCH Outboard (long shaft 20") which would you choose? The transom height is 17" and I didn't want to cut it down because I thought it could weaken the transom. Also I thought the prop would come out of the water when I go forward to set the sail. Both would be new. If you think a short shaft would work feel free to tell me. Thanks, Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter HK Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 I chose the Suzuki. Almost the same weight but the suz is quieter and I prefer the F/N gear box to the centrifugal clutch. cheers Peter HK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 I've owned both. Suzuki hands down. The honda is great, but loud. Drive ya nuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePoint Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 I have a Honda 2.3. Yes, it is likely louder as people say. It’s also likely lighter… and is air cooled. I’m guessing the motor would be used for short durations rather than a long run like 30-45 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 The Honda is 31 in the LS model, the Suzuki 2.5 is 30. The Suzuki has a superior F-N instead of that centrifigul clutch the Honda has. The only thing better about the Honda is there is no need to ever replace the impellar. Both motors have been very reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphers Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 We use a short shaft (Mercury 3.5hp 2 stroke). No real problems with the prop coming out of the water or cavitating. Surely you wouldn't be worried about the prop coming out of the water when you go forward to set sail, because you'd have already removed the motor in order to fit the rudder? Just to slightly hijack the thread, I'm tempted to try a 5hp on my S11N. 19kg, so it's a bit more weight, but I reckon when we're carrying a decent load the extra power might be useful. Or it might just make the bow point at the sky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 Aphers, Good point about moving the motor before putting the sail up. It sounds like you use your S11N as a tender as much if not more than a sailing dinghy. So do you leave the motor on the mother ship when sailing? We can't buy 2 strokes here in the states anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphers Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 6 minutes ago, Captain Tim said: Aphers, Good point about moving the motor before putting the sail up. It sounds like you use your S11N as a tender as much if not more than a sailing dinghy. So do you leave the motor on the mother ship when sailing? We can't buy 2 strokes here in the states anymore. Yes it's my daily driver- we live on our yacht at anchor. It's a great load carrier, much more internal space than an equivalent sized RIB, and an absolute joy to row. We used just 10l of petrol in our first year as liveaboards! For sailing, we strip everything out of the dinghy: anchor, fuel can, outboard, fenders, etc. The oars stay, obviously. We haven't really found sailing the dinghy to be a very practical way of getting about, but it's a lot of fun. I'm hoping to upgrade the mast to a lighter one, which might let me keep it rigged whilst afloat. That would make trips to the beach etc much less stressful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 Aphers, Sounds like you are using your S11n just like I plan to use my S11s. I have davits on my boat so no need of nesting quality. What length oars do you use? Do you have just one rowing station? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphers Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 16 minutes ago, Captain Tim said: Aphers, Sounds like you are using your S11n just like I plan to use my S11s. I have davits on my boat so no need of nesting quality. What length oars do you use? Do you have just one rowing station? Ours lives in davits most of the time, but it's good to be able to put it on deck as well. We just crossed the Atlantic with it on deck. From memory the oars are about 7ft. A little on the line side but the boat absolutely flies if you put in a bit of effort! Just one rowing station. We've tried sitting side by side with an oar each but it tends to lead to arguments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aphers Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 The youngest crew member is enjoying the dinghy. Can't do this with a RIB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 Aphers, 7' seems short on the oars. I found a formular that shows I could use 8'6" oars. You are living the dream. Fast sailing dinghy, blue water and great crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I carved 7' oars for my Spindrift 9. I find them just right. Pete Culler's book says I should make 10 footers for my Lapwing. I find them too long, I think 9' would have been better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tim Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 Hirilonde, I think the bean on your Lapwing is 5' 6 1/2" and mine is 4' 7" so do you think 8' for me would be about right? Or your Spindrift 9' is 4'1" on the beam, 6" less than mine so I should go with 7'6"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 2 hours ago, Captain Tim said: so I should go with 7'6"? That would be what I would go with based on my past experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I created the Spindrift transom for a short shaft motor. I measured my Suzuki 2.5 at 17 1/2" to the cav plate. Of course with a small boat it is easy to get it out of trim. It is up to the skipper to arrange the crew or cargo for proper trim. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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