Hobie Forums

Agreed Pro10s. Before the outboard there were many times we pedalled back in the dark because the winds died or changed direction. We always managed to get back though, thanks to the Miragedrives!
I’ve been looking forward to your review of the Suzuki 2.5 and was wondering whether you did get it to replace the OB you returned?

We all seem to agree that the outboard can be a great safety device.
Emergency steering as well as getting home against mother nature.
I purchased a made in China cheap NewConcept outboard and it lasted a couple of years.
Finally gave up spark to the plug so it adorns my back fence.
Bit the bullet and went for the Honda four stroke.
Being air cooled is very handy as I start the engine and warm up before launching.
At idling speed the clutch automatically disengages and stops the prop turning.
Just further aspects to the safety functions.
Probably other well made expensive brand names that will do well also.

Cheers,
TI Brian in South Australia

The sailing season ends early in Northern New England so my review of the Suzuki 2.5 HP outboard will have to wait until the Spring when I purchase one then. I sure envy those of you in warmer climates who can sail virtually year round.

I may get around to this some day but it would be interesting to get RPM readings with a review of one of these outboards.

If I were going to purchase a tach now, it would probably be this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FZ3YMOQ/re ... B01E16UYFE

I have not tried this one but what I like about it is that the pickup sensor includes a wire your wrap around the spark plug wire PLUS a ground wire. Some of those dont have a ground wire and I think having the ground would improve the signal to noise - more reliable readings.

The Suziki 2.5 is about perfect for the TI. Prop is matched well and it has a ref limiter plus four stroke. But.. you have to deal with changing the water impeller periodically and also never start the outboard without the impeller actually pumping water. Nice power for the weight.

Someone should also measure the RPM for the Honda 2.3. As far as I can tell (from this forum), no one has ever damaged this outboard from over reving with the stock prop but I understand that someone has damaged those really small two strokes. Sure would be useful to actually measure RPM as some have messed with the prop without actually knowing if they had a problem that needed to be solved.

The Honda is of course a great little outboard but about three weeks ago I was standing next to a sailboat with the 5 hp Suziki four stroke. About 100 foot away, there was another small sailboat that had the Honda 2.3 four stroke. Both were idling and we noticed that the Honda was louder even though we were standing right next to the Suziki. This was not the 2.5 Suziki but I would guess its similar to the 5 HP Suzuki (both water cooled).

But.. that centrifugal clutch and never having to worry about the water impeller even running the outboard on the hard sure would be nice.

FYI, here is a video of that tach in the link above.. Its in Russion.. LOL.. but close enough..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... GiovbL9JjE

You are probably right Walt.
It makes sense that a water jacket will reduce the noise compared to air cooled.

So you have to decide -
FOR AIR COOLED -
can start engine before launching with no water
no need to flush/drain the salt water
Honda has a clutch (others may also)
AGAINST AIR COOLED -
Noisy compared to water cooled

As in all sailing craft with motors, the best time is when the engine is killed and you sail away.

Regarding the revs, I'm not sure of the importance.
I'm certainly contemplating the tacho to record the hours for servicing.

I find that if you open the throttle to get to the speed required then ease back, the TI maintains the speed.
What is possibly more important is the prop pitch.
On my 27 foot trailer sailer with a 9 HP engine, I replaced the planing prop with a push prop.
The 9 HP wasn't enough to get the craft planing so the push prop was more efficient.

The standard prop on the Honda seems to have sufficient pitch.
I regularly tow 4 or 5 other kayaks at just above half throttle at about 4 knots.
Some two hours of towing uses about a litre of fuel.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
TI Brian in South Australia.

PS I carry ear plugs as I am sitting alongside of the engine.

Thanks pro10s. Shame about your weather! I actually prefer sailing here in Spring/Autumn/Winter as it can get baking hot in Summer.



Thanks for the heads up on that Tacho Walt. The video was great too, despite it being in Russian, as it shows clearly how to fit.
Unfortunately Amazon wanted over $50USD for postage down under. I found the same product on Ebay for under $20AUD including delivery and ordered it. So for us Aussies interested:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Tac ... 0033.m2042

Re Honda v Suzuki, yes the water cooling v air cooling is a tough one. My Suzuki had its one year service a couple of months back and the impeller was replaced, despite the service book stating it’s a two yearly job. Service cost was $177 so running costs could be higher with the Suzuki. I’m still very happy with it though as it’s never missed a beat. I estimated it had 70 hours use. The Tacho will be great for recording accurate hours!

sh_t.. just reminded me that I have never replaced my impeller yet and I have had that outboard for about 5 years now.. Maybe next year.. (hmm.. I think I have been saying that every year now..)

Occurs to me that at the price of $177 per year, I could just save that and buy a new outboard every four or five years..

I have replaced an impeller before on a Nissan 9.8 hp outboard, it was fairly easy and I had watched a youtube video on how to do it. I havent looked but there probably is a video for replacing the impeller for the Suzuki 2.5?? I think the new impeller is about $20 USD or so.

I have a bought cheep little Tacho for the 4 stroke that will be mounted for next season. Will be doing som trials with different props on my heavy TI rig once I get it finished and start the fishing season again in the spring. Can post some results as it it comes along.
For the moment I am in a state of "winter limbo"... to much overtime and to little fishing.
/ Gustav

_________________
Sailing my TI and fishing.... thats bliss!!

Have you tried the tach on the outboard yet?

The one I bought had a single wire that you wrapped around the spark plug wire and it didnt work all that well with the Suzuki 2.5.

The one in the link above was picked because it had the "most stars" (better reviews) but also another detail which I think will matter but have not confirmed.

The one in the link also has TWO wires in the pickup - not just one like the tach I didnt think worked that well. One of the two wires gets attached to the metal chassis of the outboard and establishes a ground for the instrument. The other wire gets wrapped around the spark plug wire. I believe that the two wire pickup should be more reliable and accurate than the single wire pickup.

So.. I guess we also need a review of those cheap tachometers and I have not tried one with the two wire pickup.

You also have to figure out a setting for the tach which can be a little confusing. A two stroke can fire the plug once per rev and a four stroke can fire the plug either once every other rev or once per rev. To get it set right, you somewhat have to have an idea what the actual RPM is and then find the setting that about gives you what you expect. Not too difficult because when its set wrong, the RPM reading will be 1/2 or 2X or something like that.

About a week ago, my wife and I and some friends also on a TI did a great "water hike" on a desert lake in Arizona. We both had outboards and launched from one spot with the outboards up and not running. It was light winds at first and then almost no wind. We did a little pedal sailing and then just pedaling and ended up about 8 miles as a crow flies down the lake likely actually traveling more distance than that. Very pleasant day with great scenery. About 1.5 hours before sunset and with calm conditions, lowered the outboards and motored back at around 5.5 knots. Very pleasant day.. got in a nice water hike without worrying about how far we went, then a pleasant motor back.