Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Best 4 or 5 hp outboard for a canoe › Re: Best 4 or 5 hp outboard for a canoe
As much as I like the classic 2-strokes (and there are a great many good, reliable motors in the under 5 hp range) if I were powering such a boat for general use I would buy a newer 4-stroke.
I have multiple sub-5 hp motors, including a sweet running 1958 Lightwin. I also have a 25 hp Yamaha 4-stroke on my "everyday" boat. The lack of smoke and fumes, and the eerily quiet, smooth idle were a revelation when I first bought it. I still like that characteristic of the 4-stroke. And no mixing!
A 2.3 hp Suzuki 4-stroke weighs 32 lbs. 4-strokes have come a long way in weight and performance.
If you want a classic motor for everyday use, keep it light. In my view, the integral tank is fine if you will be using the motor for short intervals, but gassing up any motor over the narrow stern of a sportboat or similar is unnecessarily difficult. Go for a 3 gallon remote tank. 5 or 5.5 hp OMC is probably an excellent choice for many reasons.