Tanzer 16 powered by 2 hp Honda outboard

Tanzer 16 powered by 2 hp Honda outboard -- July 17, 2014  We've been struggling with the engine issue for about a year.  Originally I picked up a Tohatsu 2 hp.  It works well, and I use it on my 12-foot fishing boat, but it really wasn't a good fit for the Tanzer 16.  It's just too heavy; my short-shaft comes in at about 41 pounds. The Honda weighs 29 pounds--and a pound more in the long shaft version.

Too bad the EPA outlawed two-stroke engines.  I could have found one of those at 19 pounds.  Oh well,  Couldn't find a used 2-stroke; bought the Honda.

The motor mount is really not very trustworthy, and I
don't know how to solve the problem.  Will probably
change to something that is actually bolted to the tran-
som or modify this one.

Truth is, it's still too heavy for racing--especially in light air.  It adds extra weight and it messes up the trim of the boat making it even harder to get weight forward when beating.  We leave it and the anchor home when we're racing.  BUT

Today we went for a cruise with my daughter and grandson who don't know how to sail and the engine worked very well.  When they were ready to go, we motored in at hull speed.

It doesn't have a transmission.  It is direct drive with a centrifugal clutch.  So it will idle down and not move forward--mostly.  If you want to back it up, spin the motor around.

It starts easily--unless you leave it tipped up for a long time.  I forgot to close the vent cap so it acted like it was flooded.  After I gave up and decided to sail into the slip it started easily on the "oh-what-the-heck" effort.

It is pretty quiet--for an air cooled engine.  The exhaust does go into the water.

The long shaft is a little bit of overkill for the Tanzer, but that's okay we hit some big wakes and the transom was kind of in the air, but the prop was in the water.

Cost--I bought mine on a factory supported sale.  And, I bought last years's model (2-hp) and saved another $250 bucks so I was out the door for just a shade over $900 with tax.

Fuel--This little motor is a miser. But given the tiny little jets mandated by the EPA and the ability of 10% ethanol gas you have the perfect situation for carb problems.  Use ethanol free gas.  Add stabilizer.  Run the engine dry after every use.  As it starts to sputter, pull out the choke.  At the end of the season drain all of the gas.  Hint:  If you have to pull out the choke to keep it running, the carb needs to be cleaned.