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Boats continue to influence life in more ways than ever imagined from the dawn of civilization. The watercraft is used for transport, military expeditions, fishing, sports, recreation, and traveling. Traditionally boats were powered by human labor and wind sails.
The water engine has played a huge role in the development of boating in the last century more than anything else. It is now possible for one to sail on a long-distance without knowing the art of rowing as all they need is a water engine.
The outboard is the most popular of all water engines, being used in close to 80% of all boats. The other boat engines are a jet drive engine, a sterndrive engine, and an inboard engine. Outboards are flexible and can be attached to all boat types, from canoes to yachts. There are different types of outboards for varying boat sizes or weight.
The outboard has to be strong, stable and reliable to carry a fully loaded boat. A horsepower is a unit used to measure the strength of an outboard. It is equivalent to 550 pounds per foot per second or 746 watts of energy.
Outboards can range from 1.5HP to astronomical units such as 550HP. A 6HP outboard is suitable for many small boats. This outboard is small and strong to haul small boats and carry goods and many passengers.
How to maintain an Outboard Engine
The longevity of your outboard is pegged on how well you treat it. You have to develop regular and consistent outboard maintenance habits to see your outboard lifecycle exceed its warranty and further.
Poor maintenance leads to engine blockages, dissolving of the fuel tubes, and in the worst cases, accidents due to outboard malfunctions. You can pull out the following maintenance tips after every outing to see your engine stay as viable as a brand new engine.
Regular Flushing
Always flush the engine after every outing. The task of ensuring that your outboard motor is clean is one that should be done after every trip. You have to develop the habit of flushing the engine, whether on a freshwater adventure or a saltwater outing.
Old motors do not have mounts, so you’ve got to buy them a set of flushing “earmuffs.” Connect a garden hose to the mounts or flushing earmuffs, switch on the pump to flush the engine.
Ensure Good Flow in the Pump
Flushing is not the only activity that can increase the tenacity and longevity of the engine. It is a good habit to ensure that there are no blockages using your fingers. Moving your fingers slowly into the water stream while flushing can help diagnose blockages.
When the output is weak during the testing, it is probably because the flow has been obstructed by debris. You can remedy the problem by working a wire into the tube to clear it.
You should always switch off the engine while working the tube. Restart the engine after clearing the tube and confirm the flow in case it is still low; then the water impeller needs changing.
Clean Mechanical components
Mechanical parts need to stay clean to avoid corrosion caused by cold water and, at times, the oil. You should turn off the engine when cleaning mechanical parts to prevent accidents. You can use anti-corrosive on the mechanical parts, especially when you plan to store the outboard.
Disconnect the fuel line before long-term storage
When preparing your boat for long-term storage, disconnect the fuel line. Ensure there is no oil in the carburetor to stop gumming up. You can burn up all the oil in the carburetor before removing the fuel line.
Maintain Functional Spark plugs
Replace the outboard engine’s spark plugs whenever necessary. It is difficult to know how long the spark plugs last, but when you see excessive fuel quantities in the engine or the engine fails to rev up, it is probably the spark plugs. Use a spark plug tester to confirm their functionality.
Use Fresh oil and uncontaminated fuel
Always use fresh oil that the manufacturer recommends. Using contaminated oil can increase grime and impurities in the outboard engine. As you help keep the engine lubricated and clean, also use the right fuel for your outboard.
The fuel should not have any impurities, such as water. Water, for instance, can damage spark plugs and cause other malfunctions.
Avoid using ethanol as a gasoline additive as it is can cause damage to the internal components of the engine. Ethanol often dissolves gaskets, fuel hose, and the seal leading to water intake.,
How to choose An Outboard
Having the right outboard is crucial to ensure you neither underpower nor overpower your water vessel. The horsepower is a significant factor but not the only factor you should look out for when choosing the next outboard for your boat. Each of the factors contributes to the durability of the engine as well as the ease of use.
Stay Within Your Budget
Outboard motors are definitely the cheapest of all water engines though some may cost an arm and a leg to acquire. You have to look for an outboard motor engine that is cost-effective. The engine should have all the necessary features while retailing at a reasonable cost. You have to shop around different outboard motors to get an idea of what you really need and ensure that it is within a reasonable cost.
The type of Engine
There are two main types of outboard engines: two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines. In a two-stroke engine, all the actions of the engine are completed in two strokes of the engine or a single revolution of the crankshaft.
The two-stroke engine weighs less for the same horsepower and is less complex to maintain. It was the preferred engine for those who favor speed, but the four-stroke is catching up.
The four-stroke engine outlasts the two-stroke engine but is heavier. It uses pure fuel rather than oil and fuel mixing as in 2-stroke engine outboards. 4-stroke is relatively quiet compared to its counterparts but has a long shaft that is not suited for small boats.
Fuel Efficiency
The maintenance cost of the outboard goes beyond the repairs and other formulas necessary to the boat. The most consistent cost one has to incur to use an outboard is fuel cost.
Getting an outboard with higher fuel efficiency can save you lots of money in the long run, even when the fuel efficiency is one percent. You can feel the real difference in fuel costs stacks when you use your boat for longer trips than short trips.
Type of Fuel Injection
Fuel injection is how fuel is introduced into the combustion engine to produce energy for your outboard motor. Many of the outboard manufacturers have come up with varied fuel injection technologies; however, the methods are either an enhancement or a mix of the three primary fuel injection methods.
The basic fuel injection techniques are direct fuel injection, electronic fuel injection, carbureted fuel injection, and electronic fuel injection.
Each fuel injection technology has its efficiency; the most efficient fuel injection is direct fuel injection, while the least effective fuel injection is carbureted fuel injection. Direct fuel injection deposits the fuel directly into the engine cylinders that result in an efficient and reliable performance.
Electronic fuel injection uses an electric system to regulate the flow of fuel and air into the system. The carbureted fuel injection system is the cheapest to acquire but the most expensive in the long run.
In the carbureted fuel injection, there is a gadget that controls flows into the cylinder.
Use of Alternative Fuels
Petroleum oil products are the most common fuels in outboards. Some outboards use petrol, diesel, and so forth. Manufacturers have come up with several fuel alternatives to petrol.
The best attempts are the electric-powered outboards, LPG gas, and propane outboards. Alternative fuel outboards have not gone mainstream as the alternatives are not robust as the petroleum-fueled outboards.
For instance, the electric fueled outboard has the same strength as other outboards, is less noisy, and does not produce any emissions.
However, the weight of the outboard engines and the battery pack combined makes them unsuitable for small boats. The most powerful electric engine can run for a maximum of 6 hours without charge, which makes them less viable.
The Weight
The weight of a boat determines the type of outboard. Light dinghies and skiffs will, in practice, carry fewer goods and passengers hence require less power to carry. The weight consideration also depends on the weight of the outboard. The weight of the outboard contributes to the total weight of the goods that have to be carried by boat.
Maintenance Cost
The cost of an overboard is not only its markup price on the shelf but also the cost of repairs the overboard will have on you. o through the 6HP outboard repair review to get a feel for the different problems the outboard motor is likely to have and the probability of taking it to a mechanic for repairs.
Make sure you can access spare parts and mechanics. For this reason, you should purchase popular brands so that you can easily get spares at a low cost.
6HP Outboard Motors
There are many 6HP outboards in the market, especially with most 8HP 2-stroke outboards being demoted to 6HP while the 5HP 4-stroke engines being promoted to 6HP outboards. We have looked and tested several outboards, and the following engines stand out in the pack.
Honda BF6
The BF6 is Honda’s best small outboard motor yet carries 1.5 liters of fuel which is more than the 1.1 liters by Mercury Suzuki and Yamaha. The portable fuel tank is the latest feature on a Honda BF6 engine though it is present in all its competitors. The outboard has more power due to an rpm range of 5,000 to 6,000.
New motors come with three accessory props. The fuel-system components are easily accessible on the outboard; the fuel pump and a good size filter are located under the carburetor. You can enjoy automatic decompression from the outboard’s new powerhead that lets you pull the starter cord with just two fingers.
An ECU will reduce the rpm to 2,300 when the oil pressure is low to protect the engine and give the operator some thrust. You will note the downward pressure due to a bright-red low oil pressure warning light on the front of the outboard.
The engines have a swift reaction; hence the motor stops running immediately after the stop button on the front is compressed, unlike the older model that required the operator to hold down the button until the engine halted. There is an increased charge capacity of the alternator from 3 amps to 6 amps.
Pros
- Have a larger fuel tank compared to the competition
- The outboard is easy to control and reduces numbness as rubber motor mounts that isolate the inherent vibration
- They work smoothly and silently for a good sailing trip
- They are lightweight and compact for portability
- They have 360° steering that gives it good maneuverability
- The engine has a lean fuel burn that makes it run for long
- They are long-lasting and do not require much maintenance
Cons
- It inherits the disadvantages of a 4-stroke engine though it is more polished
Mercury 6HP 6MH
The Mercury 6HP outboard Model is a lightweight outboard with an integrated gas tank at just 57 Lbs. It remains portable and can be carried in the car to the water. You can easily attach the device to any skiff and start sailing. The engine is a single-cylinder four-stroke engine that makes them unique in recreational boating.
The outboard comes with a user manual, a mercury 3-year warranty, the mercury 4-stroke oil, and a toolkit for repairs. This single-cylinder engine has a gear shift and a tiller steering for easy control.
The shaft is short at only 15 inches, making it easier to use on small boats, unlike most four-stroke outboard engines. One of its key features is an external tank connection. The outboard is perfect for skiffs, sailboats, and Jon boats.
Pros
- It has a forward, reverse, and neutral gear on the forward-mounted shift lever
- The outboard can hit a cruising speed of 16
- It is easy to use and control in the water
- It is silent as a four-stroke engine
- It has a three-year warranty
Cons
- It takes time for the outboard to a cold start, but when warm, a single choke is enough
- It uses carbureted fuel injections which are less fuel-efficient
Suzuki DF6AS3
The Suzuki 6 HP outboard is perfect for small water vessels, like dinghies, tenders, Jon boats, and skiffs. The engine has a considerable displacement for a one-cylinder 6 HP outboard engine. It features an external fuel tank connection that allows the user to add an external fuel tank to run for a more extended range.
The motor also features contra-rotating props that cancel out the torque. It is lightweight and integrated with a rounded carrying handle makes it easy to carry. It has a large displacement of 138cm3.
It is user-friendly with an integral fuel tank and new lubricating systems for easy transportation and storage. The tank uses a gravity fuel supply as the overhead tank is placed above the carburetor.
Pros
- It is a lightweight engine weighing in at 51.8 pounds
- It has a 3-year warranty that enhances
- It is inexpensive compared to other engines
- It has very high displacement that gives it high speed
Cons
- costs a fortune
Yamaha 6 HP Four Stroke
The 6HP portable engines are lightweight, weighing in at 59 pounds with a carrying handle. It has resting pads and an oil-leak prevention system. The outboard has high efficiency and pint-sized power that makes them reliable and durable.
They have a wet-sump, pressurized oil delivery system that integrates a compact oil pump that ensures all moving parts are lubricated and moving smoothly. The feature prevents leaks and enables easy storage. 180° degree steering gives it good maneuverability.
Pros
- The tiller handle control has forward, neutral, and reverse shifting and an ergonomic twist-grip throttle
- It is light and easy to carry only weighs 59 pounds
- It has a short shaft with a 15 inches option and a 20-inch option
- It has a 6 amp alternator
Cons
- There have been increased cases of engine corrosion
6 HP 4 Stroke NSF 6 Nissan Outboard Motor
The Nissan 6 HP gives the power to lift small watercraft. It has a digital ignition for easier engine starting, quicker throttle, and smoother trolling. The recoil starter with larger reels makes manual starting and suitable in shallow drive, six trim positions, and adjustable steering friction for reduced effort.
The props have a quieter ride, with a thermostatically controlled cooling system. It has a stainless steel water pump housing liner for outstanding durability with high-grade aluminum with protection from corrosion. The plastic fuel tank has a fuel gauge on the cap. It uses aluminum props.
Pros
- It is light and compact
- The vibration is low for smooth and stable running speeds
- It has low emission; hence it EPA and CARB approved
- It has a 3-year limited warranty
- It uses a 4-stroke engine
- It has better warning protections
Cons
- The boat has a 25 inch that is long for a small outboard
Evinrude E6RG4 6 HP
Evinrude is one of the biggest names in outboard names, making the first viable outboard over a century ago in 1908. The company has increased innovation in the 55 pounds 6 HP outboard. It is a single-cylinder engine that uses carburetor fuel injection.
The device has high maneuverability with a manual and power trim. It uses a steering tiller with a large displacement of 7.5 Cl. The shaft length is 15 inches; hence it is easier to manage and has a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- It is light and compact
- The vibration is low for smooth and stable running speeds
- It has low emission; hence it EPA and CARB approved
- It has a 3-year limited warranty
- It uses a 4-stroke engine
- It has better warning protections
Cons
- The boat has a 25 inch that is long for a small outboard
FAQs
Question: How fast will a 6hp outboard go?
Answer: A 6 HP engine is powerful and can have high speeds. Depending on the weight of the boat or whether it is full throttle or half throttle. However, most 6 HP engines’ cruising speed ranges from 12 HP to 20 HP when on full throttle.
Question: How Much Weight Does a 6HP Outboard Carry?
Answer: A six-horsepower engine can haul a minimal weight. Every horsepower can support up to 40 pounds to motor along smooth waters at 20 miles per hour. A six-horsepower outboard can, in theory, carry up to 240 pounds at cruising speed.
Question: What is the advantage of contra-rotating propellers?
Answer: The use of contra-rotating props helps recover energy lost due to the motion of the air in the slipstream of the forward propeller and allows for an increase in power without a corresponding increase in propeller diameter. It will also help counter the torque effects of a high-power piston engine.
Question: Which is better: 2-stroke or 4-stroke outboard motor?
Answer: An outboard’s efficiency is beyond the type of engine, but on a side-to-side comparison, each engine has the relative merits that make it a suitable choice for an outboard. Four-stroke engines have higher fuel economy, are quiet, have more torque and speed, while two-stroke engines tend to be light and accelerate faster.
Conclusion
The 6 HP outboard is a flexible and robust water engine that can last all weather and season types. It is suited for small watercraft that requires more energy than a smaller horsepower engine would be underpowered, and a higher horsepower engine would overpower. The most suitable of all the 6 HP outboards are the 2-stroke engine outboards.
The Honda BF6 stands out of all the 6 HP engines due to its flexibility with a 360° steering and easy handling. It is the least noisy outboard in the class, a large portable fuel tank, and a high RPM range. The engines have fast reaction times. It is fuel-efficient and can run for long.