In a message dated 02/16/2000 9:43:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, weidner@waterw.com writes: << From bad experience in obtaining parts, I would avoid Nissan and go with Evinrude / Johnson. (Took me a year to get a replacement plastic integral gas tank and another 6 months to get a needle valve.) >> Jim, While it didn't take me anywhere near a year to get a replacement tank for my Nissan outboard (via Defender), I'd take the fact that both Jim and I needed replacement plastic tanks as something. I like the Nissan overall, but if I had to do it over again, I'd get the seperate tank version and use one of those small tanks that mount on the transom of the dink. Al Johnson 34' Marine Trader "Angelina" and a nameless 8' inflatable

I have replied to the question of what is the best outboard motor and dinghy before but will give my two cents worth again for those new to the list. You have to decide what you are going to use the dinghy for and where you are going to use it before you can decide on what dinghy and engine to get. For use on the ICW, around the Chesapeake etc. a hard rowing or sailing dink plus a 4 hp motor will suffice but head to the Bahamas or further down into the Caribbean and a good inflatable is essential, whether an RIB or softy is your choice but I would recommend at least a 15 hp motor. The weight of a 15 and a 9.9 is the same, so go for the more powerful motor. You want to be able to carry at least two adults, groceries, a couple of jugs of water etc. The fun part is exploring off the beaten track and a dinghy you can plan along at 15-20 mph up and down the Exuma chain etc. is the way to go. I have an RIB that we use a 15 hp on while traveling and then put a 25 hp on it while in the Bahamas (plane the whole gang, 2 adults and two teenagers) and put the 15 hp on an Avon Rover (softy, wooden floor), so that we have two dinghies on the go and no one ends up boat bound. I prefer 2 cycle for the weight aspect, the difference in the 25 hp is over 100 lbs between the 4 cycle and the two cycle and about 30+ lbs between the 15s. You makes your choice, pays your money and hope it will do the job you want, so determine requirements first and go from there. Cheers Al Binnington GB36 FALKOR

Allen Binnington said in TWL: RE: outboard engine recommendation? at Feb/17/2000 15:45:25. > I prefer 2 cycle for the weight aspect, the difference in the 25 hp is > over 100 lbs between the 4 cycle and the two cycle and about 30+ lbs > between the 15s. According to the mfrs, just to pick 2 examples, here are the weights for Honda 4-strokes vs Mercury 2-strokes. hp/weight (lbs) Honda 4-stroke: 8 hp/77 lbs-15/93-25/148 Mercury 2-stroke: 8/74-15/74-25/112 The weight differences are 3 lbs for the 8 hp, 19 lbs for the 15 hp, and 36 lbs for the 25 hp outboards. The 2-stroke is lighter, but the 2-stroke will need twice the fuel (at 6 lbs a gallon) to go the same distance as the 4-stroke. Folks often over-estimate the differences in weight between the 2-strokes and 4-strokes, and sometimes forget the weight of the fuel in the overall weight equation. -- Jh Nimble Nomad SF Bay & Delta