Cheapest Outboard Motors - What's the best new small outboard engine you can buy? 

If you do happen to be interested in the outboards from Amazon shown in this video, I have links to them in the video description.

I am an outboard repair shop in Hawaii. This is long but worth the read. I have had my hands on every one of these outboards except that amazon weed eater looking thing. I am in high salt environment which is a true test of an outboard's quality. I do not sell outboards; I repair outboards. I am not a dealer pushing a brand. Okay, here we go! Hangkai: absolute junk. They have models that are reversed engineered Yamaha and Tohatsu. Corrode like crazy in salt water. Run no where as well as the motors they copied, and failure rate is extreme. Absolutely no warranty. Don't buy that junk. Honda: Weird clutch drive system that eventually burns up. Engages at a certain RPM, and if you go too slow on the RPMs the clutch will slip and slowly wear out. You cannot just put it in gear and idle along as with other motors. Occasional use motor... fine, but not a daily runner. All the bolts and screws are steel and rust like crazy. Steel float bowl on carburetor that 'will' rust away in salt water. Not very powerful and loud. Has 5 year warranty, but seeing most of the problems are rust.. they will not cover corrosion. Suzuki: Nice running motor... when the carburetor is actually working. Very poorly designed carb. Bad propellers that blow hubs constantly. Corrosion issues in salt water. Cheap plastic, easily broken cowlings. Expensive repair parts. Has 5 year warranty. I have no experience with warranty claims with Suzuki. Yamaha: Absolute least favorite of the name brand motors. Quiet, but that is about the only thing good. Fuel system failures constant. Poor carburetors. Cheap, poorly fitting, easy to crack cowlings and flimsy plastic hood latches, cowling never fit perfectly. $100+ venting fuel cap that never vents properly and gets clogged easy and lets water in tank. If a impeller fails and overheats just once, all the pivot bracket plastic bushings and rubber melts and has to be replaced 95% of the time. Very poorly made motor. Outrageous repair part prices. Has 5 year warranty... if you can call it a warranty. They fight you every step of the way in honoring claims. Parsun: Best of Chinese made motors, but that is not saying much. Same issue as above said Hangkai, and other names they stick on these motor's cowlings. Most brands of Chinese motors are all made in the same plant, and then painted different and named different. Parsun are the better fit and finish models from the same factory. Colman same thing. Not made by Parsun so to speak. Just in same plant. All 4-strokes are reversed engineered Yamaha copies. The 2-strokes are reversed Tohatsu. I use Yamaha and Tohatsu parts to repair them. Mind you a ton of repairs. No warranty service. Mercury and Tohatsu: By far the best motors. Best carburetors. Cowlings very sturdy. In this size they are identical in every way. Tohatsu is usually the same price and sometimes more expensive, but where the difference is between the two companies is the parts and warranty. Mercury parts (made by Tohatsu) are 20 to 40 percent more expensive. So if you own a Mercury... buy Tohatsu label parts. Example: Carburetor with Mercury Quicksilver packaging $378. Carburetor Tohatsu packaging $153. Identical carburetors made by the same manufacturer in Japan. Warranty: Tohatsu warranty is 7 years and longest of all makes. No fighting for warranty claims. Mercury is 3 years for small motors (same motor made at same plants). Hope this helps your hunt for and outboard.

Have had my Hangkai 12hp for 3 years now in saltwater, about 200 hours, replaced the the throttle cable and ignition when I bought it with Tohatsu parts and it has never let me down!!! Bought it brand new for $800 and then put $189 worth of Tohatsu parts in it and still running strong!

I bought the Suzuki 2.5 a couple of years ago for my teenage son to use on a Pelican Bass Raider. No issues with the motor, and it pushed the boat 5-6 mph at full throttle and around 4 and half throttle. Very satisfied.

I got the Suzuki 2.5 from Outboards On Line. You need to add engine oil before you start it up which I thought was reasonable. I very precisely and slowly put the recommended engine oil into the motor until the oil exactly reached the center of the sight glass. It started right up on the second pull. It ran rough with a tendency for the engine to die at idle so I adjusted the air screw to remedy the idle and it improved a bit but not completely. The idle speed screw worked but I couldn’t get the idle down low and also smooth via the air screw. I called the supplier for assistance and the tech I spoke to immediately told me that there is a minor design flaw which puts the oil sight glass in the wrong position. I was told to remove some oil from the crankcase and bring the oil level to a point just above the bottom of the sight glass and below the middle of the sight glass. I was skeptical but this totally fixed the running issue and I ended up putting the carb screws exactly where they had originally been set. I’ve got about twenty hours on the motor and it runs very well. Its quiet and it always starts on the first or second pull in an eager manner. I have this motor on a 17’ Grumman aluminum canoe that is used fairly loaded to about 600lbs of crew and gear. I’m slightly disappointed with the power output of the rated 2.5hp and my old ‘91 Johnson 3hp would run circles around this Suzuki, is almost as quiet, and weighs about the same but I suspect that the HP ratings were not done in the same manner. I own two of these Johnson 3HPs. The Suzuki probably goes twice as far on the same amount of gasoline and the power difference is only really significantly meaningful if I’m headed upstream against the flow of the river. In a lake it doesn’t matter much as I don’t need to go challengingly fast or have any excitement.

I have bought from Online Outboards, about 10 years ago I bought a 6HP Tohatsu there. It was $1300 including shipping and the sale went fine. Also my brother has that 2.3 Honda, it's a great little motor. Being air cooled you don't have to worry about sucking up weeds or mud, or water pumps or internal anodes, etc..

This Coleman/Parsun 2.6hp it’s a copy of Yamaha 2.5(first generation) .If you need any replacement parts , just use Yamaha OEM “lookup for parts “ schematic

I now have 2 of the Suzuki 2.5 motors and so do several of my fishing buddies, almost everyone that goes fishing with me, if they can afford it goes out and buys the Suzuki. Lightweight, very Quiet, about 10 hours on a liter of gas well fishing. And if anything goes wrong they are very easy to work on. My favorite thing is that I have my mind idled down to under 700 rpm.

Honda 2.3 all the way. Proud owner since 2017. Although air cooled, pro/con there anyway. It's THE motor in terms of maintenance and reliability. Thing runs on a 1-2 pull start for 5 years plus and smooth.

I have a 2hp Yamaha that only weighs like 20lbs. It is an older 2-stroke. Really neat little outboard. I found it for $20 at a yard sale, cleaned out the carb and it runs perfectly. I have it on a pelican catch pwr and it runs 5mph.

I bought the Yamaha 2.5 from my local dealer 3 years ago and it was over $1000. It's an easy starting motor even at freezing temperatures, thankfully because I use it duck hunting in winter. It planes my 12 foot jonboat easily and moves it at 6 mph. I put a propguard ring on it which works great to keep fishing line out of the prop but the prop guard does trap weed. If I have one complaint, the gas cap doesn't seem to seal that well - check your fuel each time you go out because some may have evaporated. I think it's smooth, but I don't have the other motors to compare it with. It's definitely louder than my 8 hp Yamaha. Because it's light (37 lbs, I store it in the garage and move it onto the boat each time. I use nothing but ethanol-free gas and haven't had any problems.

I bought a Honda 2.0 in 2000 and paid over $900 for it way back then, it has been the most dependable small engine I have ever had! Period! It is a direct drive, with no centrifugal clutch that I am so glad I didn't get because 90+% of my use is at the lowest idle for trolling (about 2.2 mph) in my 17" square back canoe, with the clutch model when you are trying to go very slow it drops out of gear. I'm not sure if you can get direct drive anymore. I wouldn't buy one with it. It is air-cooled and louder at higher speeds but since I mostly idle, it is very tolerable. It has never left me stranded and always starts right up. That said, I always run Seafoam in the gas and empty the tank and run it dry at the end of the season. Besides changing the oil every couple of years and plug maybe 3 times and replacing the pull rope, there has been no other maintenance, By the way, Honda gave me a piece of rope with a handle on it in the provided tool pouch so if the starter rope breaks on the water you can take the cover off and still pull start it. Thanks, Honda! I never needed it though. 5 years ago I forgot to empty the gas and run it dry so I had to clean the carburetor, easiest job ever and it didn't even need new parts the fuel lines were still supple. I have hit rocks and broken the shear pins, I got a length of 1/8" silicon bronze brazing rod and cut to size a lifetime of replacements. Even the rubber gasket on the fuel cap is still fine, no leaks when carrying it on its side with a full tank. Hands down the best small motor investment I have ever made, and I don't think I will need any other one in my lifetime! A few years back I heard that the new ones are now made in China and there have been some quality issues, so, do your homework. If you find a used older model that hasn't been abused, snap it up!

The “Mental” bit 😂😂😂 I actually laughed out loud

after living on the water for 10 yrs i can testify that indeed suzuki is the best choice for resale value,beacause one would never sell their yammaha !

Over 20 years ago, I had a suzuki just like that and it was old then. I never had an issue. I ran a little 12ft aluminum around Black Lake in Washington state with me and a friend. We pulled in a lot of trout off that lake with that little boat.

I like your subtle humor. This info is valuable... saves a lot of even the finger-walking.

This was actually very helpful I'm in the process putting a small jon boat together and finding a good affordable motor has been my biggest problem

Agree 100%, I have been to Parsun in China and they are a large company an make many motors. Your merc is a Tohatsu Great company Japan. I sun a 2004 Johnson long shaft now along with Evinrude OB! If you look there are thousands of small outboards from Evinrude and Johnson still around and in many cases need a carb cleaned and ready to go. I have worked with many manufacturers or outboard motors and still prefer made in America used as apposed to crap from other countries. Parsun took much of Yamaha design and tried to make a comparable product. While made in America is for me a resounding second is made in Japan. My buddy just waited over 16 months for a new Yamaha 150. Great video, Thanks

Bought a tohatsu 9.8 last year. Lighter than the 9.9, and less expensive because it’s carbureted. Been GREAT, and the fuel efficiency is amazing (after my 1965 9.5 lol) Tohatsu makes all of merc and Suzuki small motors, with out the extra cost for the name.

In retirement my father repaired outboard boat motors. He was a very inventive person, a skilled boat builder, and a creative problem solver. He had an expression that he said often: 'Murcary doesn't make outboard motors; they make tools to repair their outboard motors'. You are warned.

I’ve owned my Honda 2.3 hp for 4+ years now and glad I did. Runs beautifully. Thx for the video.

I own a 1958 Johnson 5 1/2 hp 50 Year Medallion Series and I was told several times that it actually in todays standards a 9hp outboard. I know that it has speed like you wouldn't believe considering the age and starts about every third pull. It pushes an 18' Olde Towne Square back canoe around like a rocket. Only thing I hate is putting it on to the transom because it weighs so much.

I bought a 2 HP Suzuki in 1980 and still run like new....lightweight and powerfull.

Thanks for your advice! I purchased the Suzuki one you showed for $800 Canadian ($620 US), and that includes a tank of Gas. It's just what I need for puttering around in Lakes and Streams, and it's so much easier to carry around! My Honda 8 weighs about 95 pounds and it requires a tank of gas in the boat. Really good speed for long distances, but not worth the effort of carrying it to and from my car, just for a day of fishing on a lake. Now that I have the Suzuki I'll be on the water much more!

I saw the little 2.5s and I felt it wouldn't be enough power. But six horsepower is almost double the money. I did eventually go with a tohatsu 6 horsepower for my dinghy and I'm pretty satisfied, although the prop started slipping at the end of the break in when I started moving up to 3/4 throttle. Had to buy another one. But before that I did buy the hangkai 3.6. There is a language barrier. For instance to turn the choke on you have to turn it to the off position and to turn it off you have to turn it to the on position. It's certainly louder than my Honda long shaft 5 horsepower and my tohatsu 6 horsepower. It seems to have some cheap components but they're all functioning properly. Because it's two stroke, I believe it's the lightest motor you can buy and the motor is still running strong which leaves me extremely satisfied with my $300 investment delivered to my door. Going to be using it in combination with a electric trolling motor for my next project.

Have a Coleman/Parsun 5 hp for several years. 80% of parts exchange with Yamaha.

Hello , great video . Just to let everyone know Tohatsu makes all Mercury outboards to 30 hp . I have owned both the 3.5 hp Mercury/tohatsu and the 2.5 hp suzuki , if the 11 pound diifference isn't a concern , the Mercury all the way . Tohatsu is made in Japan . Also the 2.5 and 3.5 Mercury use the same block so they weight the same And not much price difference .

Although I'm a Yamaha fan, I'd go with the Suzuki as well... only because it is much cheaper. I love my 2019 Yamaha 25 HP, but if I get a smaller engine the Suzuki would fit the bill. Thanks for the info on the outboard websites. Also, the info about the Mercury... I didn't know those were made in Japan...gives me more faith in the Mercury reliability now 😁😁

I have 2 late 90s 2 stroke mercury 8 and 15. The 15 came with a 12 ft aluminum boat and it was 1100$ total. The 8hp was 400$. Both are awesome.

Had both.suzuki 2.5 and 6. 2.5 sipped gas, 6hp planed my 12ft tiny. Great motor s

Parts availability and network are totally key I think. Any of the big names you listed would be excellent but that Suzuki being just 29lbs looks to be of high utility. Can be your carry everywhere motor.. backup motor, kicker for trolling, canoe/kayak motor.. etc

Just recently bought a brand new Suzuki DF2.5 on sale for $770. Been super impressed with it, always starts cold within 3 pulls, currently on my 4th hour of break in period. That said, I only boat in freshwater as all my friend's boats always have some sort of problems which are evidently from the increased wear and tear due to saltwater use

I actually have a 2.5 Yamaha. I got it back when they were only $800 give or take and it’s been an awesome motor. It plains out a 15 ft v bottom John boat that’s rated for a 50hp. For its size it’s very powerful and cranks on the 2nd pull even after 6 months of being stored away

I bought the 2021 Suzuki 2.5 for $999 Canadian. Used the heck outta it last year and it’s been great. Super lightweight and reliable so far

I have good experience with Tohatsu and Suzuki but lately I've been most impressed by buying used Johnsons and Evinrudes that have good compression and doing major maintenance and service on them. After the cost of the motor and service parts, they come in about half of a similar new Suzuki and they handle the corrosive effects of salt water better. For me 2 stroke is fine and I'd rather have the reliable starting and worse fuel efficiency vs 4 stroke and their tiny jets that need for carb rebuilds a year. Honestly on our new Tohatsu 8hp we got a few years back the jets needed cleaning every other trip. We got very good at doing that quickly but eventually traded it for a 1970's 30 HP Evinrude that starts and runs reliably.

Wayne, I like your videos. I just bought a Suzuki 2.5 at Online Outboards for $695 minus a Suzuki Rebate for $100! I really didn't need it, but a brand new outboard with a 5 year warrantee for $585! I couldn't resist. This deal is only through Wednesday 5/31/23.

I would always choose a brand name product over an "unknown" and risky brand. Used to own a 6HP Mercury and it was a beautiful motor. When I sold that motor and bought a larger boat, I put on a 2017 90HP Mercury four stroke and that is the quietest most smooth motor I have ever used. Again, a brand name...Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu etc...

I have the Suzuki 2.5hp and it's perfect!! With 2 men on a 12 foot alu boat it hit 7mph and more!!

Ebay has some great finds for 2 n 4 stroke, I have a thing for small motors too! They are soo fun to have and very versatile.

I bought a 20 HP outboard motor from china for 1000 $ + 400 $ shipping. It is very similar to a 20 HP Yamaha. Quality is okay but not good, but I am very happy at all

I am with you on the Suzuki choice.

I went 9.9 Mercury. But others I would consider Tohatsu and Suzuki in the small engine category.

Parsun has been around in Australia for quite a few years now. They are ok, getting better. We cannot buy them anywhere near as cheaply here as you seem to be able to over there.

I don’t even have A boat this is entertaining!

I recently just purchased a 1995 Nissan 3.5 hp 2 stroke outboard at a yard sale for $29.00 those new are usually worth over $300.00

I looked at most of them, I ended up with the yamaha, brilliant little motor, very quiet and made in Japan. It's very high quality and if you want something to last then its a great option. It's also very good on fuel, I've gone out trolling with it for 4 hours or more on a single tank of fuel.

I'm gonna stick with the old Chrysler moter I've had since the early 80's. Rebuilt twice. Still runs strong.

I bought coleman 2.6 for $700 and works great

I've had the Suzuki 2.5 since 2018. Great little engine. Pushed my 16" square stern aluminum canoe to 8.5mph, but most of the time we'd run at 1/3 throttle at 5-5.5. No issues, replaced the impeller once took just a few minutes. Change the oils once per year, that's all

Picked the Suzuki and am loving it

Honda for the win Suzuki, tohatsu,and mercury all tie for number 2

My first outboard was a Suzuki df2.5 and it whas pretty reliable so Wayne my advice buy that Suzuki

I have one of those little Yamaha models. Vibrates more than I'd like but never had any problems.

Never heard about Coleman before but Parsun engines has been around in Europe for years.

Parson actually makes most parts for both Mercury and Coleman motors!. Then the parts are shipped to Japan for assembly.

I did pick the Suzuki too. I love it! Very happy with it.

Honestly i would go with used, an 70s-90s motors will look great, are really cheap and will be simple enough to repair. Get it from a decently sized brand and you can still get reproduction parts for them too

Nothing beats the Honda 2.3 in rough all season all weather application, run them in muddy water, salt water, ice water, its "The Power of Dreams"

I have the suzuki and like it so far

Parsun is actually pretty good, they are growing steady here in Germany due to their affordable prices and using same parts as Yamaha and Mercury. So getting parts is a no issue.

I go for the Tohatsu 3.5 - secondly the 3.5 Mercury and lastly The Suzuki 2.5. No doubt.

Sounds like these would be the ideal outboard for a 16' canoe for 5 day trips on a chain of lakes. 😁

I really enjoyed the video. Thanks. I've been yearning for a Suzuki DF6 for my 1232 AlumaCraft flat bottom jon boat for some time {12 feet long x 32 inches wide at the bottom with a 47 inch beam, and weighs around 105 pounds). I like Japanese engineering and manufacturing techniques, wherever they happen to be assembled {I think the DF6 is assembled in Thailand). Plus, the price is certainly competitive, and I have had really good luck and service life with the two Suzuki motorcycles currently in the garage. There is an old video of a DF6 planing out a boat like mine and cruising along at a rather nice clip for a considerable distance, and I saw another review by a fellow in Australia, who had lots of experience with all kinds of small outboards, where he declared that the DF6 was among the most powerful/fastest in the 6HP range. I'm hoping it might even plane out the boat with me and my medium-sized, best buddy pooch aboard.

Im just about to buy small outboard motor , thank you very much for your time to make the movie for others.

Thanks Wayne this was a helpful video to find parts for my 2.6 Shakespeare which is also the parsun. Found the part I needed on amazon 👍

I have a Mercury 3.3 2 stroke Love that thing on my little 12-ft Jon boat

I haven't checked recently but when looking at newer outboards, I noticed the Coleman was NOT recommended for salt water, only fresh. Amazon listing for the HangKai also says they're for fresh water.

I have a suzuki 2.5 and a 30. Great outboards.

Suzuki DF 2.5 is the best engine in the class. Lightest and very reliable - just run the carburator empty of gas before storage. The idle jet is very prone to geting clogged by sitting modern gas. It takes only 20 minutes to clean if you have done it before a simple procedure. But unnecessary if you run it dry before storage.

Had a 2.5hp Yamaha for more than 10 years and have been through 2 impellers I major overheat where I boiled the fuel and melted the plastic head bushing No rebuilds runs like a top to this day Would be looking at a Merc or a Suzuki if I had to replace it only due to price

Good! But you can choose CUKUSIN too.

Great video, it’s good to know more about some options for my first boat.

The four stroke do not forget checking oil and changing every spring. The air cooled is better I prefer noise ove working about impeller and preemie but I use 50 to 1 form my weed Wacker but I hate adding fuel to built in tank

I just stick to my $ 200 home made 6hp mercury outboard lower unit with a mounted 6.75hp Briggs. Very reliable , air-cooled , unleaded fuel . My neighbors always ask? Out cutting grass again ? My reply NO .....SEAWEED INSTEAD ! 🤣

Good research. Thx. Watching from Ontario Canada

Thanks for this video and others. I'm looking for a Suzuki 2.5 to mount on a Sportspal 12' wide transom canoe. The 30 lb weight is perfect for me. And based on other reviews, this is a highly rated motor. The Suzuki is a 68cc motor. Honda is 57cc. Yamaha uses a 72cc motor. Mercury and Tohatsu are 85cc motors. I imagine the 85cc motors will have a bit more torque but the 68cc Suzuki is adequate and 11 lbs lighter for that walk down to the lake. The Honda uses a centrifugal clutch like a chainsaw does so that was a deal breaker for me. You have to give it a shot of gas to get the clutch to engage and I expect that will make slow speed maneuvering around docks or a marina to be a bit more of a challenge. The Honda also is too noisy.

Parsun actually build quite a lot of components. If I am not mistaken, Lehr propane engines are built by Parsun.

I own a Colman, actually been a decent motor, I bought because of budget constraints, my biggest regret is seven years later I find myself in need of parts for it, and they are in China

Wayne I just bought a 20 hp Suzuki w electric start from onlineoutboards. Came within a week. Very happy with it! So quiet. Only thing I worry about is future maintenance

I'd break the bank for the Yamaha. 4 stroke is the reason. Less noise. More dependable.

Also for this size of motor I wouldn't bother with 4 stroke heavier and less powerful best in this bracket are the tohatsu 3.5hp 2 stroke are invincible fuel efficient light.

The Doug De Muro of boats. Only a bit less crazy. And easy to listen to. Subbed.

The problem with cheap is it invariably costs you double: the cost of the cheap motor + the cost of the repairs + the cost of the good quality motor you should have bought in the first place. So to save money, buy quality upfront.

tohatsu makes Mercury motors . I own a tohatsu 6hp with built in take works amazing so far

Canadian tire in Canada actually picked up and sells Suzuki outboards - they used to sell coleman

I kinda think if I was going to buy a small motor like that I would just buy a big 24 volt trolling motor and that way I could go to most all lakes and no gas to worry about. Plus it’s quieter. My 65# Maxxum pulls my Alumacraft V14 around 3 mph which is not much difference. Just my thoughts. Great video !

Yamaha 2.5 no doubt, silent and reliable

Parsun is actually a well know brand here in the land down under and well respected they make pretty good motors.

It has long seemed crazy to me, that a 5-6hp lawn mower can be had for $400 new...but a 2.5-3hp outboard costs close to a grand.

I've got two Tohatsu outboards and both have been great so they're easy to recommend. I'd like to see how the Suzuki does given the weight savings though.

With the searches I did for uber $1,000 I ended up buying the Coleman for the price and weight, so far it's been ok but then again I haven't run it that much, so far only 3 hrs

Is the gas tank built in the 2.5 Suzuki ?

parsuns are actually not bad motors. they have decent customer support and an online store.

I would go with the Honda

Df2.5 great motor

I think it is interesting to look at the prices for these motors on the used market. The Honda does very well with most going for $600+ and some clean examples going for near retail. There are very few at the "Half new retail price" which is more usual for these types of things. The Hondas that sell for the $500 and below price point are really beat up or "for parts only." In fact I have seen quite a few of these at the $500 level which are just parts motors and look like they have few usable parts as it is This goes to show just how much Honda charges for replacement parts. They want $500 for a lower unit alone which is a common failure on these since so many people think they can get away with running them out of the water because they are air-cooled. The hot exhaust quickly melts a plastic bushing supporting the drive shaft then the lower unit oil seal becomes the bearing and if that is not attended to the lower unit floods with water and is soon ruined if that is not noticed soon enough. Honda also has a carbon filter integrated into the fuel cap vent and that is easily ruined if fuel gets into it. That's almost $100 alone. Honda parts are not cheap...

In Australia, Parsun outboards are widely available. They've built up a fairly good reputation for themselves, unlike some other Chinese brands. It's well known here that Parsun have been making motors with other companies' brands on them for decades. I currently use a Japanese Mercury 3.3hp 2-stroke as my small boat motor, but my next motor will probably be a Parsun.

Does Briggs still make a little air cooled outboard.

Thank God for you man

Though I don't own one, Parsun is actually not too bad. They used to sell in the U.S. under the name of Kuda through Walmart and some other vendors. That said, I got my Tohatsu online and have been very happy with it. Just remember they usually ship without gear oil.