Cheap Chinese outboards???

[ShaneC]

Has anyone got any feedback on these??

Looking to buy one to put on my little Zodi as the young fella is at the age where he is pestering me for his own boat. Can pick up a 2 or 3 hp job for under $300. I figure it wont go too fast and if he hits someones Riv in the canals he should theoretically bounce off it without costing Dad a bomb.....

I dont want to spend heaps on something that he will probably wreck anyway but I dont want to be towing him home every other time he goes out. Theres loads of brands, they all look the same but just wondering if they are any good??? He wont be going far (mainly just the canals and then we will negotiate new boundaries as he gains experience) but I still want it to be somewhat reliable..... any feedback appreciated.

[Steeler]

IMO i would keep an eye out for a not so old Merc 3.3 for that sort of money. Not having a crack at the Chinese stuff by any stretch, god knows i sold a fair bit of Chinese powered sml engine products over the years.

I just think you may very well pick up a Merc that essentially was a aux with bugger all use and most probably only turned over seldom to avoid siezing.

[ShaneC]

Will keep that in mind. Cheers

[Noelm]

The few people I know that bought them have since replaced them with either new "brand" names or good second hand ones.

[gr hilly]

i would not put a Chinese outboard on my boat or my childs you can't get out and walk.

[Scalem]

Nah, if it's anything like small engines I wouldn't be too worried, the purpose you described Shane would be comfortable if it were me so long as you can get it serviced when it needs. You're spoiling your kid who can always be forced to row like others less fortunate. Un-researched and biased comments are just that, unless you can be specific as to the brand they are marketed under, know exactly where it is manufactured and in what conditions. I bought a Sanli whipper snipper years ago and it eats up any job I throw at it, starts reliably every time. I think Chinese make parts for other brands irrespective of weather it's an outboard or a TV, there would be a Chinese made component in almost anything, you would be surprised. As much as it's crushed a lot of our own manufacturing job market even here in Aussie, it's the way of the world now.


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[ShaneC]

Cheers for the feedback. Still in two minds actually. I bought the Zodi as a tender to my cat so I will use it as well so a small part of me is thinking to just buy a new or near new 4 stroke for it and be done with it. But I am also mindful that he will probably do some sandbank dredging while learning and may well stuff it.

Scalem, my Mrs said that I am spoiling him as well until I explained my motive.... I love eating crab but hate crabbing. If I buy him a motor.... well he owes me!!! Nothings free haha

[SkullJug]

I can't comment on the motors, just wanted to congratulate you on raising your kid right.

I'll never forget the day I got home from school to find Dad had bought me a boat of my own

[ShaneC]

Cheers man. I got a little punt at his age and had some truly memorable times in it. Just being able to go fishing by yourself or with a mate made me feel like king of the world. I was never one for hanging out in shopping centres and shit but have no doubt we had more fun than those that did. And if I played up at school the boat got locked up so was a good way to keep my eye on the prize....

He is destined to be broke forever though if he is anything like me and never has enough boats or boats that are big enough..... gotta spend it something though.

On the motor front I have decided I will buy a new four stroke so he doesnt have to mix fuel and hopefully it will last for years.

Cheers all.....

[Spaniard_King]

2.3 HP Honda Shane... air cooled Perfect for kids to learn boating .. no impellors to stuff

[bazza65]

Cheap chinese__ says it all really



bazza

[scottar]

Good idea with the 4 banger. Unfortunately with most kids it is only a matter of time before there is a miscalculation with oil ratios or they forget to put it in and no matter how much you tell them to wait until dad gets home, they always want it going now.

[Dogtoooth]

Buy any reputable brand, that way if something go's wrong you can always get parts. Throw them in the deep end, quickest way to learn.

[Axl]

I considered these motors when looking for an outboard for my car topper but at the end of the day I found a 18 month old 2 stroke 4h/p Merc that had only done a couple of hours on Gumtree for $600, personally I would be having a good look around the trading sites for a good second hand reputable brand.

[Dan5]

Maybe an electric to start with then step up to "Dads" motor later..........hey you might even sneek up on some bream while "training" him.