Portable Outboards

I’m looking at portable outboards, primary use will be a 14′ jon boat for duck hunting. I’d like to be able to get in and out of small lakes and slews that don’t have a ramp, so thinking the ability to remove the motor from the boat and carry seperately would be nice. Also, storage I will keep the jon boat outside in the winter for storage but would like to bring the motor into the shop.

Looking at Yamaha 4 strokes in the 4-8 HP range. Looks like weights in that class are 59 lbs to 87 lbs. Does anyone have experience with these smaller motors? Any idea if they would push a 14′ jon boat with two guys, hunting gear, and dog? I don’t need to go fast, but not a crawl either. Thanks,

Lindy – I have a 4 HP 4 stroke Suzuki that I was thinking of selling. I bought it to use on my 12 ft Jon boat which worked great. It pushed it right along with a decent load and 2 people. Then I bought a 14′ Lund with a junk motor so I put it on that and it did ok. I could make a wake with it anyhow. I ended up buying a 20 HP so I could get some top end out of the boat.
Not sure how much it weighs but not much. Internal gas tank that runs forever.
It’s probably 6 years old but very low hours since I didn’t use it that much.
Let me know if you’d be interested in the Suzuki.

I have a 14 foot aluma shallow v. Old boat with oar locks.

My 2-stroke 6hp Yamaha has been great. I used to car-top the boat and I just laid the outboard on a tarp in the trunk. Very easy on and off the transom and this model (early 90s) even has a convenient carry handle built in. It’s about 50 pounds, the 2 strokes are a bit lighter I think. I can fish all day on my 3 gallon tank and still have fuel left.

Before I added a front casting deck and put a deep cycle under it, I could get almost to 15mph With just me in the boat, little slower with my kid.

I would go with less hp and lighter. The that 4hp Haley’s gold is offering sounds good. I take the old 9.9 I have on and off. Has a handle and is heavy as heck. I inherited it. If I was buying one I’d get a 4hp.

I’m not even sure what I would ask for it.
Reasonably sure I paid like $1200+ when I bought it new.

I know the thing purrs like a kitten. Can’t hardly hear it.
It has more power than you would expect from a 4 HP. When I had it on the 14′ Lund, older boat, fairly deep, a buddy was amazed when we left the landing. That was on Lake Zumbro which had a No Wake going on at the time. I actually had to throttle it back to avoid making a wake. Although it wasn’t a wake board type wake!

I have a 14′ shallow V alumacraft with a 5hp merc. It pushes the boat around at 8mph with 2 guys and gear. Super light and easy to take on and off and carry for your application. Not for sale but figured I’d give you some numbers to work with.

One thing to keep in mind with a 4 stroke – they’re not supposed to be laid on their side (or maybe only one side depending). If you’re unhooking and draggin’ it through the bush – a 2 stroke might be a better option.

Pete Bauer wrote:

One thing to keep in mind with a 4 stroke – they’re not supposed to be laid on their side (or maybe only one side depending). If you’re unhooking and draggin’ it through the bush – a 2 stroke might be a better option.

why is that? legitimately curious.

lindyrig i cant say about a 4 stroke but my buddy has a 13.6 ft tin V boat and we use a 6hp two stroke. With 2 guys and fishing gear top speed is about 11 MPH

One other thing to think about, if you’re going to lay it down in a car or truck you might not want one with a built-in gas tank. I borrowed a forum member’s 5hp Nissan a while back. great motor as well, but the gas cap didn’t seal properly so you had to place a rag around the threads and hope for the best. On my yammie I would just disconnect the fuel line and run the carb empty at the launch before tossing it in the trunk.

I run a 12’ with a 4hp 4 stroke mercury for portaging in Canada. If you find a good deal on the 4hp, you can simple but a 6hp carb and turn your 4 to a 6. When I bought mine, all 4-6 hp motors were made by tohatsu(? Spelling). I did this so technically I have a 6hp 4 stroke. I’ve reach 13 mph with two guys. I also believe their are 3 different props for these motors as well

Regarding laying them down, YES, you must lay it on it’s handle side. It’s never been an issues and I remove the motor 6 times ever day while portaging.

These small jets on the carbs can gum up quickly so use good non oxy gas. I’ve been trouble free for 4 years.

I love my built in gas tank especially in remote Canada. One thing about it though is that there is no primer when using the tank. There is a choke but if you run the motor dry (recommended for long storage) it’s an absolute pain to start! Get an external gas tank to save yourself 100 pulls. That’s the only thing I don’t like about it…and she’s a tad heavy to portage but I secured some straps to it so I can carry it on me shoulder.

I have a little 14′ aluminum boat for backwoods camping that i have a 15 hp 2 stroke evinrude that weighs 67lbs and pushes the boat with 2.5 people and 2 dogs at 19 mph.

I use a 5 hp Honda for trolling on the TP 17.5, does fine.

crappie55369 wrote:

why is that? legitimately curious.

If you lay down a 4-stroke on the wrong side, the oil will leak into the cylinders.

-J.

The manual doesn’t say anything about oil, just water.
Sorry for the blurry pic…I must have the shakes this morning.
The motor can be laid on it’s side. Port side down.

Attachments:

1. 

   Suzuki.jpg
   

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crappie55369 wrote:</div>
why is that? legitimately curious.

If you lay down a 4-stroke on the wrong side, the oil will leak into the cylinders.

-J.

Same as most any 4 stroke. Honds lite auger for example

If it will be strictly for duck hunting I’d take a look at a small mud motor. PPF? I think makes a 6hp model for smaller boats. A friend of mine has one. Weighs right around 70lbs. I borrowed it and copied it, built my own. With a 6hp predator motor from harbor freight and a jet kit it does 12mph with me and the dog in my 14’ jon.

tangler wrote:

but the gas cap didn’t seal properly so you had to place a rag around the threads and hope for the best.

Ha! Your rag blew off somewhere around Milaca last year so shes running free now, too bad, that was a nice rag.

2 stroke, I toss that crap in the boat, truck, whatever at whatever angle, gas, usually use non oxy but not all the time, if she gets a lil gummed up open that gal up and shell clear herself. Things a freaking clock, cost a couple hundred bucks and just needed a water pump. Loud as he!!

Think its around 42#

Thanks for all the ideas. I think I’m leaning towards a 6 or 8 HP. I like the idea of the internal gas tank. One less thing underfoot and I’m sure the majority of my uses would be short runs to the duck blind or maybe small little fishing holes.

The mud motor idea is very intriguing. I think if I was at a different point in my life and doing more serious waterfowl hunting I would strongly consider it. Maybe when my son is old enough to do some serious trips we’ll trade it in for one.

lindyrig79 wrote:

The mud motor idea is very intriguing.

My BIL’s have outboards and mud motors for duck hunting. They say that the mud motors are nice in low water years where they’re necessary, but they prefer outboards for maneuverability and reverse (maybe some mud motors have reverse, but theirs don’t).

Takes quite a bit of $$$ to get reverse on a mud motor. I’ve got about $400 into my home made 6hp longtail.