Honda 2 hp

[sscoville]

Anyone have experience using the Honda 4-stroke 2 hp as aux. power on their boats?  How about another 2 hp?  I'm wondering if it's sufficient power for my BRS 17.  Any known issues with the Hondas?

[Ken_Potts]

  I love mine, and there are others who covet it.  :cool:

  I don't recommend inverting it underwater, though...

[John Turpin]

I've owned a Honda 2hp and it was a great little motor.  It's super dependable.  The only problem I ever experienced was an occasional kick-back that would just about jerk your arm off on starting.  Once you're watching for it, it's no big deal.  There's no transmission or neutral, but there's a centrifical clutch that works well.  The prop won't spin at idle, but give it some juice and it starts spinning right up.

It's air cooled, which is both a pro and a con.  On the plus side, it doesn't require water to run, so you can warm it up while on the trailer, which is pretty cool.  On the negative side, it's noisy and it's expensive.  But, it's a quality motor that has a great reputation. 

I thought about buying one for Blue Peter, but decided to save some money and bought a Suzuki 2.5.  It's much quieter than the Honda and I really like it.  It's water cooled and has a neutral.  And, it's much much less expensive than the Honda.

[wkisting]

Yep, the Hondas seem nice and most owners appear very happy with them. Only "con" I heard from others was that several people seemed to report minor problems with corrosion somewhere near the air intake (I forget where or why exactly) so a few people told me they didn't think it was an ideal choice for a saltwater environment, but others have said the exact opposite.

I was slightly put off by the noise of the Honda... not bad, but the Merc 3.5 hp I bought was noticeably quieter, which is why I went that route. The downside with the Merc is that the fuel jets are so tiny they are very susceptible to clogging. Even using a good fuel stabilizer, it's a recipe for trouble if you don't start the motor up at least once every six weeks and let it run for a few minutes. I suspect the air-cooled Honda would be less prone to those troubles, so a bit less maintenance perhaps.

The Hondas are nice and light, but I think the Suzuki John mentioned is almost the same weight, but water-cooled and quieter. My Merc is about 8 lbs. heavier.

[Ray Frechette Jr]

My oars are very light compared to any outboard motor I have had the displeasure to heft.

Never any problem with ethanol fuel so long as the intake of it is moderate.

They start on the first pull every time.

Maintenance consists of a coat of cheap gray paint every 3-4 years or so and a coat of oar leather wax in the leathers.

No problems with corrosion or jets either.

They are a whole lot quieter than a motor that's for sure.

[sscoville]

I'm with you Ray.  It's my wife and 11 month old that don't want to depend on me to row us back.  What can I say?

[Oyster]

My biggest beef is the "look" more than the use of an auxillery engine. On the other hand, I have enjoyed my auxillery engine this year and would also be bummed out if I had to resort to rowing as my wife would be too.  :onfire:

Ken, up for a power row yet? :cool:

[wkisting]

All right... since Ray keeps bringing it up, I think it's time we finally reach a compromise on this whole motors vs. oars issue...

How about a pair of small outboards mounted on the blade-ends of a pair of oars, and poised inconspicuously low in the water so that no one has to see, hear, or smell them running.

That should make everyone happy, right? 

[Oyster]

All right... since Ray keeps bringing it up, I think it's time we finally reach a compromise on this whole motors vs. oars issue...

How about a pair of small outboards mounted on the blade-ends of a pair of oars, and poised inconspicuously low in the water so that no one has to see, hear, or smell them running.

That should make everyone happy, right? 

My compromise is one that includes mamma when she is aboard. All other opinions makes no difference when you are stuck, especially at sundown and becalmed. So throw me on the side of if I gottaneed, I darn sure will be thankfull to have it and not embarrassed with using the motor either.

[Ken_Potts]

  If you're going to make a habit of driving around under power you might want to compare the noise of the Honda to other motors.  if you just need a motor to get back to the dock because the crew is finished for the day, noise shouldn't be as much of a factor as simplicity - The honda doesn't have a water cooling system to deal with and it's nice and light.  When I run the motor it is usually at a low throttle setting, so the noise isn't too bad.

  Hey Oyster - I'm planning a trip with Dawn and Paul and some others.  Our current plan is to sail two boats out to the Hook over labor day weekend.  If you're not too distressed with the holiday insanity on the water you should bring your lady out on a power-row for the day (or the weekend)

[Guest wwbaginski]

looks to me that an air cooled honda is a sandbar friendly propulsion, opposite to water cooled engines.

but I have one problem with my 2.3 hp honda: when lifted up, is not exactly fixed . It makes 3-4 degree move up and down over the stern, like a seesaw, what  is not okay whet the boat is sailing in waves.

Enyone else to confirm this observation?

[Oyster]

Ken we just may check in with you guys. Please give the boat a 20/20 exam since the boat is still a work in progress while we make an attempt to sell it but take advantage of the fishing right now too.  FWIW, This is two weeks ago at the hook.

:cool:

[Ken_Potts]

Wojtek - My motor bounces around a little bit when it is in the "up" position also.  It looks a little strange but it's never been a problem for me.

Oyster - I'll keep you in the loop if plans change.  I'm looking forward to seeing the boat in the water in person.