Motors 2-8 hp		Motors 8-15hp		Motors 20-40 hp
Guide to main Features;		Guide to main Features;		Guide to main Features;
Carry in boot of car	YES	Carry in boot of car	YES	Carry in boot of car	Estates YES
Carried by 1 person	YES	Carried by 1 person	YES, Just!	Carried by 1 person	NO
Weight	16-38 Kgs	Weight	38-55 Kgs	Weight	50-100Kgs
Suitable for Tiller Steer	YES	Suitable for Tiller Steer	YES	Suitable for Tiller Steer	YES
Suitable for Remote Control	2-5 NO 6-8 YES	Suitable for Remote Control	YES	Suitable for Remote Control	YES

Above is a short shaft inflatable, you can clearly see where to measure here.  Below is a long shaft 4 m Avon Rib.  It is very important that you make sure you know which shaft length you want! Below are the two normal shaft lengths, Long and short or Standard.  As you can see there is circa 5" difference.  Some sailing boats, particularly catamarans sometimes need Ultra Long Shaft (25" Transom) but not many craft fall in to this category. Four stroke motors must be laid down in a very specific way, often on one side only.  If they are laid the wrong way the oil in the sump leaks out and massive damage to the motor can ensue. We have in excess of 50 motors on display in our extensive North London Showroom.  We sell Mercury, Mariner, & Yamaha.  You can compare different motors side by side, we are well worth a visit!     As you can see this 8 year old can only just manage a 2 hp!!

Commonly asked questions; 2- 8 HP How do I tell if I need a long shaft or a short shaft? Measure the transom of your boat, From the top to the keel will be either 15"/16", short or standard shaft. 20"/21" long shaft. On some sailing boats an Ultra Long Shaft is required this will mean a 25" transom. 3 hp and above all come in either short or long shaft. Most inflatables are short shaft as are many sailing dinghies, fishing/row boats, yacht auxiliary motors are often long shaft. You always need to check though!! If you are measuring the engine, then from the clamp where it sits on the transom to the cavitation plate directly above the prop will be 20/21" on a long shaft and 14-16" on a short shaft.   Will the wrong shaft length work on my boat ? NO!  Short shaft on a long transom may not even reach the water, water flow and cooling will be affected and performance will be dreadful.  Long shaft on a short transom is dangerous.  The point of thrust is way to low in the water and in the case of say 8 hp opening the throttle may flip a small boat over.   What features do these motors have?  Most motors as 2-8 hp will be manual start with a tiller arm. Electric start options may be control box but are often still tiller as well. 2-4 hp mainly have integral tanks with 5 and above all having separate tanks. 5-8 hp 12 litre capacity 10 hp + 25 litre capacity. All motors have emergency cut out lanyards. Motors of 2.5 and 3 hp will have forward and neutral, 4 hp and above will forward, neutral and reverse,   What do motors like this weigh? 2.5-3.5 hp 12.5-17 kgs 4-5-6 hp 25 kgs (Some 6 hp are single cylinder) 6-8 hp 38 Kgs Different models and makes weigh very different amounts though not just the dead weight is important, the provision of handles etc also is. 38 Kgs is about as heavy as you would want to carry any distance or lift out of a dinghy on to a yacht. 25 Kgs is the maximum that is comfortable for most people. How long do they run? Obviously this depends on load, RPM etc, 2.5- 4's typically 20-120 mins, motors with tanks several hours at low RPM and hour or two flat out. Can children operate it? Starting it is the main problem and then obviously co-ordination is critical.  For any in-experienced user an emergency stop lanyard, standard on MOST engines, MUST be used at all times.  Most children from 8 can cope, below this age it is doubtful. What do they run on, can I get diesel or electric motors? All motors are NOW four stroke, apart from a few 2.5-3.3 hp two stroke engines that we have large stocks of all other two strokes are now discontined. There are no viable small diesel outboards at all and though there are many electric engines they require bulky car type batteries to power them and lack the power of even a small petrol. These units work on fishing lakes etc where they have to be used but elsewhere are not ideal. Four stroke outboards run on any petrol grade.

Commonly asked questions; 8 - 15 HP Can I really carry a motor of this size ? The weight range in this HP class is from 38-50 Kgs but it is not just weight you have to consider there is the awkwardness of carrying the motor and the handles on it, or the lack of them. A long shaft motor is more awkward to carry though not much heavier than a short shaft. As there are now only four stroke engines new models at reduced weights are coming out all the time and the light weight 8 and 9.9 hp motors are VERY popular in this class. Are all motors at this HP tiller steer?  NO! Electric start motors will often come with a control box, though not always. All motors in this HP class can be converted to remote control but this is a costly exercise, you have to sort out a steering system (Cost £120.00 +), buy an adapting kit to allow the control cables to fit to the motor and buy the control box, this lot can cost £250 - 300 + An electric start motor with a control box has most of these bits with it. (except the steering) I need a motor for my day sailer are these special engines or will any motor do?  Most yachts need a long shaft motor for this job they also need the following features;  Battery charging, remote access to throttle and gear shift, quietness, smoothness, a lot of slow speed thrust.  Given this list the fourstroke option is well suited.  There are specific motors marketed for this type of use.  Any out board will "do" but you can do better by buying one made for the job!  This again is a complex field so please contact us to discuss your own requirements.   Can I water ski with a 15 hp?         Can children operate this size of motor? Not really, children can just about "play" behind a 15hp and a small boat but skiing is out.  Inflatable toys of one kind or another are fine.  You have to be at 25-30 hp minimum depending on the boat to achieve skiing even on an inflatable.     Yes but they need to be 12 + really.  Starting the motor is quite hard for a child and hanging on to a 15 hp at full chat the absolute limit of what most children of this age can cope with.  Obviously individual maturity and physical size is very important.

Shown here are a 15 hp Four stroke and a 15 hp Two stroke. Four strokes are bigger and often heavier than two strokes used to be and you need to keep this in mind when you are choosing an engine.       Above is  shown an original Yamaha control box and a "patent" one.  Also a fitting kit for making a tiller arm motor remote control and a tie bar for connecting up a steering system.       A 15 hp on the right boat will just about give "fun" for children on inflatable toys etc  Water skiing needs a 25 hp plus. (40 hp plus on an all Rigid boat)       Do not underestimate how much of a hand full a motor of this size is to drive on tiller, any adult will comfortably achieve it however children under 12 will probably not.

Motors of this size are just about portable though to carry one any distance you probably need two adults. Though at 25 hp plus skiing on the right craft is possible. Struggling with a 25 hp!

Commonly asked questions; 20 - 40 HP Can I carry a motor of this size ? Just about, as long as you have a good back!!  Two adults make it "easy" and a child can help a lot! Can I tiller steer a 30/40 hp motor?  Yes if you have to but remotes on motors of this size are much more common though they make taking the motor off much more complicated. Do I need a motor this big for my yacht? Extremely unlikely.  The only sail boats that use outboards of this size are large catamarans and some of the "multi purpose" sail boats like the Macgregor.  Something like a 15 hp high thrust four stroke will deliver enough power for most yachts that need an outboard.