Purchasing a new outboard engine for your small boat can be a challenge if you have never had to consider the choices before. As soon as you start looking at outboard motors you will find yourself bombarded with decisions about 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, a wide variety of horsepower options and possible shaft lengths. That's before you start choosing between manufacturers and working out whether a Yamaha outboard engine is hugely different to a Suzuki one. It may seem confusing at first, but if you know a little about your boat and how you want to use it, then the decisions aren't really that hard.
About your boat
The majority of small boats are used for fishing or manoeuvring around coves, lakes or rivers. They aren't going to be used for racing or water-skiing, so don't waste your time fitting a big 75-hp motor that is not going to be needed. Choose an engine in the 8-20 hp range; that will be more than adequate for most purposes. You will need some thrust to move the boat through the waves, but fitting a very powerful engine on a small boat is unnecessary and can even be dangerous. You don't want to risk tipping the boat over and letting the weight of the motor pull the boat under the water. In some cases, the manufacturer may have fitted a plate in the boat giving the appropriate engine capacity; if your boat doesn't have one, then ask for advice before committing to a purchase. In general, a smaller outboard engine will be cheaper to run and easier to handle.
What shaft length do you need?
To determine the appropriate engine shaft length for your small boat, then you will need to measure the height of the back of your boat. Put a tape measure down the back of the boat in the centre of the stern. Whatever measurement you come up with is the length of the shaft that you need for your outboard engine. It's okay for the shaft to be a little longer than needed but if it is too long you risk creating an unstable craft that could be dangerous to use.
What else do you need?
Whether you are looking at Suzuki engines, Yamaha outboard engines or a different manufacturers product, you will find that they all come with a range of additional features. Whether or not you need these features depends on how you will use your boat. Having an electric start on the engine can be helpful if you need to start the engine fast in rough waters where you are in danger of drifting, but elsewhere does it really matter? Power thrust and power tilt are great features that you might want to think about including if you will be using your boat for an extended period of time. If an occasional run across the lake or down the river is all you have in mind, then you probably won't need them.
Before committing to any Suzuki or Yamaha outboard engine, always think through which features are really important to you. Don't pay for things you will never really need; buy an engine that is well suited to both your boat and the way you will use it.
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