Small Outboard motors

Are there any good small Outboard motors being made anymore? Most of the new ones seem to be pretty noisy, shake and vibrate a lot. I need a 3-6 hp motor for my John boat. Anyone have anything in that range that you are happy with?

The newer four stroke outboards have less vibration wnd are quieter than many of the older two stroke outboards. Maybe Muskrat will chime in as he has a Honda 2 hp 4 stroke outboard.
I have a 1982 Johnson 2 hp outboard to offset mount on my 17' Grumman canoe. Works real well for this, as well as other small watercraft.....even as a small "kicker" on a fishing boat.
Never really felt it vibrates a lot. Your air cooled outboards are a bit louder and will vibrate more.

In the 6 HP range the Yamaha 4 stroke is hard to beat. It is also the lightest 4 stroke on the market today. Uses very little gas is quiet and next to no vibrations. If yo think you need a 3 hp get a 6 and run it at half throttle. It don't get better than that.

Stay away from the smaller Mercury motors. After it gets done shaking all of the rivets loose, it will start working on your fillings.

I have several small outboards and the 6hp Evinrudes are pretty bulletproof but I am gravitating towards the 4-strokes. I have a 5hp Honda which is great, a 4hp yamaha which also is very quiet and reliable. I also use a 9.9 Yamaha ALOT and it is the most reliable motor I have ever had. Always starts on the first pull, even after sitting all winter.

The smaller mercury motors are great if you are a mechanic or love to fix things and tinker, because you run them for an hour, then you work on them for an hour, then you run them for an hour, then you work on them for an hour.

Most of them are made by Tohatsu just are badged for whoever is selling them!

Just happen to have a five horse Johnson from the late fifty's 300 bucks runs real good ,Most guys hang them on their wall

No wonder I haven't been able to find one for my John boat. They became wall hangers

Thats interesting. I bought an 2019 electric start 8hp Mercury long shaft for a trolling motor on my boat. I have over 50 hours on it this summer and haven't had one seconds problem. It is super quiet and doesn't shake at all. In fact, it's quite smooth and purrs right along. Maybe I got lucky or you guys are exaggerating.

I got a 1956 Evinrude Lightwin 3hp 2 cycle on my 10' jon. Best dang motor I've ever used. Always get people wanting to buy it from me.

I had a 2 horse Honda 4 stroke for many years on my scull boat. I ran it in mud and shallow water often and never had a problem. Probably not the lightest on the market.

I agree with Scuba about buying more than you think you need. I ran a 15 horse Johnson on my 12 foot jon boat and found it to be perfect. I didn't have to run it full out very often but on a calm day in big water for hunting with my wife and dog it could still get up and go.


Pete

My 2 hp Honda 4 stroke has all the power needed for a canoe and has only one issue I don't like. In constant deep water it would be no problem at all, but if you have to pull the lower unit up or tilt the motor to clear shallow areas fuel leaks out the fuel vent.unless you close it off, which is awkward and time consuming.. Unfortunately the local river has stretches of deep water alternating with short runs of rocky shallow water. The motor never fails to start, runs quiet and smooth, and uses little fuel.

If you want the trifecta of aggravating try a Briggs and Stratton(edit) 5 hp air cooled.
Heavy, loud, and feels like you're in a cement mixer.
I run one on a 15 foot square back canoe and can't kill it.
I guess after using it for an aquatic rototiller the past 5 years it's a keeper.
They're not made anymore, but can find cheap on craigslist .
Picked mine up for $300 with 10 hours on it.