roger:
Don't "IMO"?
IMO is internet slang for 'in my opinion'.
What is the key frustration with your 4HP Suzuki?
number of things - first, the motor will not stay in the 'straight' locked position. i must tie the motor, using lines, to the port and starboard stern cleats so the motor doesn't turn. the motor has done this since it was new. best cost to fix ... with no guarantee ... is $500. second, the motor is difficult to start. 8-10 when it is cold. about 4-6 when warm. (i am spoiled by the Honda 2HP i had on my M15, and now on Sage 17, that start (cold) in 2-3 pulls and warm 80% of the time on the first pull.) third, the cooling water impeller is difficult to service. fourth, the entire gear selector mechanism failed on me (not the gears, the shifter). $450 later it works fine. others may have different experiences ... i have talked with larry about my issues and he doesn't experience #1 and #2, nor had failure #4. larry does experience #3, but not to the level of my motor. :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine --- On Sat, 1/28/12, Jeanette Matcham <jeanmatcham@shaw.ca> wrote:
Dear David.
Many thanks for your email and for the useful information.
I am from the UK and so not so used to the USA and Canadian terms and colloquialisms. However I am getting there.
Don't "IMO"?
What is the key frustration with your 4HP Suzuki?
Thanks again for writing . I must say that I have had a very good welcome and response from the group.
Many thanks
Roger On 28-Jan-12, at 11:35 AM, W David Scobie wrote:
roger:
i'm with the opinion of others that have stated a 4-5 outboard are just fine for the M17. i have the 4HP suzuki on my M17 (SWEET PEA, #375, built in '83). larry has had better experience with his outboard than i, but i've never been stranded by the motor (just REALLY frustrated). i have never needed to 'full throttle' the 4HP motor. i usually motor along at just over 1/2 throttle at 4.8 knots.
the 6HP and 4HP, as larry states, have the same power head and weight. just a different carb. for more HP. the 6HP comes with an external fuel tank option, and the alternator (not available for the 4HP suzuki).
6HP is more than you need on the M17 ... even in the gulf and san juan islands. i'm born and raised from the seattle area and have cruised the san juan and gulf islands since the late 1970s.
use the cutout on the transom, don't IMO, consider using a motor mount. larry sails the fastest M17 i've ever seen. i have never seen him dragging the prop when the motor is in the tilted position (larry can better comment if it can happen ... again, i've never seen it in the times i've been behind larry looking at his transom).
:: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine