What does the market offer among the most commonly used engines up to 2.5 HP? We have compared the best models designed for the tender.
In order of increasing displacement, six engines are taken into consideration: Honda bf 2.3, Suzuki DF 2.5, Yamaha F2.5B, Mercury F2.5 MH, Tohatsu MFS 2.5, Selva Guppy 2.5 HP.
Comparing 2 hp outboards
Suzuki DF 2.5
The Suzuki DF 2.5 is one of the three lightweights (Suzuki, Honda and Selva) with 13.5 kg and has been redesigned and refined compared to its predecessor. In the past the carburettor had to be disassembled and cleaned quite often to solve a problem of inconsistent idling with a few too many shutdowns. The cooling water drain also tended to clog easily as it was quite small.
These difficulties were effectively solved with the new, robust and easily repairable engine. It could be a decisive element in the choice for those who appreciate and are able to put their hands on it themselves should it be necessary one day.
In its new version, it also seems to have something extra in terms of thrust.
The propeller is made of aluminium, like the Selva and Yamaha, which is a good thing. The noise level is low (67 db).
Honda BF 2.3
For those who are less experienced and don’t like to get their hands dirty, in the long run the Honda or Selva, both with a 5-year warranty, might be a better choice if you want to stay light. Alternatively, you could consider the Tohatsu to benefit from the 7-year warranty, which is a very long time.
The Honda BF 2.3 is very popular and is the only one with air cooling. The BF 2.3 is very popular and is the only one with air cooling, so you don’t run into the possible problems with the impeller and exhaust, as well as boasting a certain familiar ease of starting. However, the noise level is much higher (82 db) and power is lower, with the lowest displacement in the category.
The centrifugal clutch feature should also be kept in mind as, if stopped for a long time, it can be a nuisance and above all does not allow you to accelerate in neutral. The propeller is made of plastic.
The Honda has a 5-year warranty, the low weight of 13.5 kg and the simplicity of operation, which means that it rarely needs extraordinary maintenance and which has in fact decreed its success, having been the first to choose these combined routes.
Looking at the exploded views of the engine, it appears a little more laborious in terms of disassembly and extraordinary maintenance; not that it is more complex, if anything the opposite, just more laborious because of the way it is structured. It has been reported that some galvanised screws are particularly prone to corrosion, so keep an eye on them in view of what has already been said. Also the carburettor is not exempt from cleaning, like all the others.
Selva Guppy 2.5
The increase in displacement has meant an increase in weight to 18 kg for the Mercury and 18.4 kg for the Tohatsu. But the Selva Guppy 2.5, with a displacement of 87 cc, the largest in its category, is the only one to keep its weight down to 13.5 kg. With its larger displacement, to obtain the same horsepower the engine speed will be lower, resulting in less noise and wear.
Tohatsu MFS 2.5
The Tohatsu MFS 2.5, apart from its weight of 18.4 kg which makes it the heaviest, is certainly interesting because of its 7-year warranty. It is the only one in the whole category that offers so much. The propeller is plastic.
Mercury F2.5 MH
For the Mercury F2.5 MH the same reasoning applies as for the Tohatsu, compared to which with the weight of 18 kg it is only slightly lighter and remains one of the heaviest in the 2.5 horsepower category. It is a proven engine. Here too the propeller is made of plastic material.
Yamaha F2.5B
The Yamaha F2.5B has a weight of 17 kg. In terms of design, the quality is high and so is the reliability. Needless to say, the propeller is made of aluminium. Spare parts perhaps cost a little more, both for ordinary use and maintenance and for extraordinary maintenance, but you are unlikely to need them over time.
The list price is in line, but the real lack of discounts or promotions makes it less attractive.
