Now there are electric outboards as well as petrol motors, the choice of 2-3hp outboard engines has never been better. But which is right for you?Choosing an outboard engine for your tender used to be as simple as going to your nearest dealer and picking up whatever 2.5hp engine they had in stock. Now, however, things have got a bit more complicated \u2013 in a good way, with both petrol and electric outboards providing reasonable options.
\nFirst you\u2019ve got to decide whether you are going to stick with petrol or go electric, then there\u2019s the question of who offers the best combination of power, range, weight, build quality, refinement, ease of use and, of course, price.
\nYou could go round and round in circles for hours trying to decide what was right for you. So that\u2019s exactly what we did, on your behalf, by assembling all the main players along with one of F-RIB\u2019s 2.75m folding mini-RIBs to test them on and work out which were the lightest, fastest, most user-friendly engines for your yacht\u2019s tender.
\nHonda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Selva all provided petrol engines of 2.3-2.5hp for the test while Torqeedo and ePropulsion represented the electric outboards.
\nElectric outboards<\/p>\n
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus
\nChinese company ePropulsion is the (relatively) new electric kid on the block and clearly has its sights set on Torqeedo. The Spirit 1.0 Plus has a slightly less powerful 1.0kW motor but a longer lasting 1,276Wh battery that floats if dropped overboard.
\nIt\u2019s a bit heavier than the Torqeedo at 19.3kg but most of that extra weight is in the removable battery, with the motor and shaft weighing a comparable 10.6kg. Unlike the Torqeedo, the throttle arm is permanently attached to the shaft but folds down parallel to it for storage. Charging takes 8.5 hours using the standard 240V charger or 3.5 hours with the optional fast charger. Solar and 12V DC chargers are also extras, as is a travel bag.
\nAssembly is a little bit quicker and easier than the Torqeedo. The throttle arm folds up, the battery locks into place using a sprung handle and there is only one threaded power cord to connect. But it takes two hands to install the battery.
\nIt also lacks the Torqeedo\u2019s built-in GPS so displays range as remaining cruising time at your current speed as well as battery level. It\u2019s not quite as useful for working out whether you\u2019ve got enough charge to reach a specific place but most tender journeys are short enough not to need this. Besides, the bigger battery means you will have a longer range anyway; ePropulsion claims 22 miles at around 3.5 knots.<\/p>\n
On the water it\u2019s slightly less powerful electric motor means it can\u2019t quite match the pace of the Torqeedo let alone the petrol engines (4.3 knots solo, 4.1 knots two up) but the difference is small enough for it not to be a deal breaker. However, it is just as quiet and user-friendly as the Torqeedo with a similar magnetic kill cord and shaped throttle that allows you to instinctively feel how far you\u2019ve twisted it.
\nThe larger, slower revolving plastic propellers of these electric motors gives excellent low speed control and a proper reverse without having to swing the motor through 180\u00ba. They also have centrally mounted (rather than offset) throttle arms meaning you can sit comfortably on either side, although the ePropulsion\u2019s longer arm sometimes gets in the way on a small tender.
\nFrom a subjective point of view we don\u2019t think it looks quite as stylish or neatly-finished as the Torqeedo but it\u2019s three year warranty is longer than Torqeedo\u2019s two-year offering and it\u2019s \u00a3369 cheaper at \u00a31,650.
\nPrice: \u00a31,650
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now from promarinestore.co.uk<\/p>\n
Torqeedo Travel 1003C
\nGerman company Torqeedo was the first to spot the potential for a cleaner, quieter electric alternative to the petrol outboard in 2005 and has built up a strong following since. The entry-level Travel 603C model is equivalent to a 2hp petrol engine and costs \u00a31,499 but we chose to test the 1103C costing \u00a32,109. This is powered by a 1.1kW electric motor with a 915Wh lithium ion battery equivalent to a 3hp petrol motor.
\nAlthough it weighs almost as much as the heaviest petrol equivalent when assembled (17kg), it breaks down into three parts making it much easier to lift onto the tender\u2019s transom as well as store. And of course there\u2019s no risk of petrol or oil spills. The main shaft and motor weighs 11kg, while the battery accounts for most of the rest. An optional travel bag (\u00a3199) provides extra protection for long term storage.
\nIt\u2019s a beautifully designed motor that is stylish, well built and engineered, though assembly is a little bit fiddlier than the ePropulsion Spirit. The battery can be fitted one-handed but, although it\u2019s waterproof, it won\u2019t float (the battery on the smaller 603 model will) \u2013 at \u00a3829 replacements aren\u2019t cheap. A built-in GPS gives SOG but also real time range as well as current draw and battery percentage so you know exactly how far you can go at any given pace.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a joy to use with no pull cord, choke, stale petrol or oiled up carburettors \u2013 you just clip the magnetic kill cord onto the top of the throttle arm, press the on button, twist the throttle and away you go. There\u2019s no gear lever or idle speed, it just sits silently at rest waiting for you to apply some throttle.
\nUnder way the only sound you\u2019ll hear is water passing the hull, making exploring creeks and rivers so much more enjoyable. Its top speed of 4.7 knots solo and 4.2 knots two-up was a little shy of the petrol engines but not enough to make a big difference, while a claimed range of 18 miles at half throttle (around 3 knots) or 4.6 miles at full throttle is more than enough for most needs.
\nUnlike the petrol motors it also has a reverse gear, simply by twisting the throttle the other way.
\nIt is more than double the cost of a petrol motor but for cleanliness, refinement, ease of use and sheer enjoyment we reckon it\u2019s worth it. Whether it can justify the \u00a3369 premium over the ePropulsion is harder to say.
\nPrice: \u00a32,019
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nPetrol outboards<\/p>\n
Honda BF2.3
\nThe reason this motor has been around so long is because it continues to sell so well \u2013 due to its light weight (13.6kg), compact dimensions and Honda\u2019s reputation for reliability. It\u2019s commendably simple air-cooled single-cylinder 57cc 4-stroke engine should certainly be less prone to overheating from a blocked water intake or failed impeller than its water-cooled rivals and with no salt water circulating through the power head there\u2019s less risk of corrosion or frost damage too.
\nUnlike the other petrol engines, it uses a twist-and-go centrifugal clutch rather than a manual gear lever. It\u2019s also the only engine to boast a six year warranty instead of the usual five years.
\nBut that\u2019s where the good news stops because in use the BF2.3 is pretty crude. The transom clamps are sliding metal rods, the pull-out choke and petrol switch are flimsy plastic affairs and the skinny tiller arm feels rather basic compared to the chunkier Yamaha and more sophisticated Torqeedo. It has to be laid down on one side to prevent oiling up but does have raised supports to aid this.<\/p>\n
In use it was the slowest of the petrol engines on test and by far the noisiest at 106db flat out. Without the damping effect of a water cooling jacket, it makes a distinctive \u2018putt putting\u2019 noise at idle that rises to a raucous crescendo at full throttle.
\nThe twist and go clutch is a mixed blessing, it saves fiddling around going into and out of gear but means you don\u2019t get any drive or steering at idle, making docking manoeuvres surprisingly tricky.
\nVerdict: Simple, reliable and lightweight, but average performance and too loud.
\nPrice: \u00a3720
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nNote: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Selva Guppy 2.5hp
\nItalian company Selva boasts a full range of outboard engines from 2.5hp to 300hp,a five year warranty and a very competitive pricing structure. At the time of writing this was more than \u00a3100 cheaper than any of its Japanese rivals. And its technical specifications look pretty convincing too; its water-cooled 87cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine has the largest capacity of them all yet it weighs the same 13.5kg as the Suzuki.
\nIt doesn\u2019t look or feel quite as sturdy as the Yamaha but that\u2019s hardly surprising given the weight differential. It\u2019s closer to the Honda and Suzuki in that respect with some elements such as the plastic moulded transom clamps actually being easier to use than either of them while other parts such as the rather flimsy metal support that locks the engine in the raised position falling slightly below par. Again it can only be laid throttle-side down, so rests on the throttle arm when not in use.
\nOn the water it got the F-RIB up on the plane and skimming along at a maximum speed of 8 knots with just the helmsperson on board. However, that big capacity cylinder meant it required a heftier pull to start it than any of the others and it was second noisiest on test.
\nVerdict: Not as slick or well engineered as either the Yamaha or Suzuki, although in terms of bang for buck this is up there with the best of them.
\nPrice: \u00a3579
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now on swmarinestore.com<\/p>\n
Yamaha 2.5hp
\nThe Yamaha 2.5 is at the opposite end of the scale to the Honda, literally. It\u2019s the heaviest of the petrol engines at 17.0kg and the largest too. The upside of this is that everything about it feels chunkier, better engineered and more robust, from minor switchgear like the fuel tap and choke to the major controls like the transom clamps, gear lever and throttle arm. It also has a larger capacity single-cylinder engine of 72cc compared to 57cc for the Honda so it should have more torque as well.
\nTo cope with the extra weight, Yamaha has added a soft grip carrying handle to the back of the engine but you still feel those extra 3.5kg, especially when lifting the engine onto the transom.<\/p>\n
On the plus side you can lie it flat on both sides or even on its back without oil flowing into the cylinder. This makes it easier to store and all but rules out the chance of it being laid down incorrectly and ruining your day.
\nThis was by some margin the quietest and smoothest of all the petrol engines as well as the fastest. With just one person on board it actually had enough grunt to get the little F-RIB up on the plane and scooting along at 9.5 knots.
\nVerdict: Heavy and carries a price premium but in terms of build quality, engineering, performance and refinement, it justifies this. A top choice for a petrol engine.
\nPrice: \u00a3760
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now on eBay<\/p>\n
Suzuki BF2.5
\nAlthough this is a water-cooled 68cc single cylinder 4-stroke it actually weighs less than the smaller 57cc air-cooled Honda (13.5kg vs 13.6kg) \u2013 and a whopping 3.5kg saving over the Yamaha. Those weight savings show in places though. The transom clamps are the thinnest, fiddliest and least comfortable of the group, being little more than sliding metal pins which could easily snag a stray sleeve or trouser leg.
\nThe throttle arm is also thinner, with a separate sleeved cable rather than an integrated one. Like the Honda it can only be laid down on one side to avoid oil leaking into the cylinder \u2013 throttle-side down in this case.<\/p>\n
As with all the petrol engines it has an offset throttle-arm on the port side but the latch to unhook the engine from its raised position is tucked away underneath the port side of the cowling, making it hard to locate and use from the natural seated position.
\nIt\u2019s a nice, light pull start and there\u2019s an easily visible tell tale to show the cooling system is working. The idle is smooth and quiet, but it doesn\u2019t feel quite as punchy under way as the Yamaha, failing to get the F-RIB planing with one person on board.
\nVerdict: If you crave the quieter running of a water-cooled engine but without the weight of the Yamaha, this is a good compromise.
\nPrice: \u00a3685
\nRating: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
\nBuy it now on eBay<\/p>\n
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The post Petrol vs electric outboards: 6 of the best on test appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Now there are electric outboards as well as petrol motors, the choice of 2-3hp outboard engines has never been better. But which is right for you?Choosing an outboard engine for your tender used to be as simple as going to … <\/p>\n