Now that I have my new boat, I am in the market for a small outboard for the dinghy. Something around 4hp. But I have always used 2-stroke outboards so they could be stowed down below in a horizontal orientation without worry of the oil in the sump running up into the valves.

Catch is, now it seems all new sales of 2-stroke outboards are banned. Of course I can look for one second hand, but wanted to ask if there have been any new developments that mean a 4-stroke can be stowed horizontally, or is it still required to keep them in a vertical orientation?

Won't be a problem when on the boat, as the outboard will be on the pushpit, but when leaving the boat the outboard will be taken below and probably easier to stow horizontally.

Any ideas?

Two stroke or four, if you lay it horizontally sea water in the engine collects in the cylinder head cooling jacket and rots it out.

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cisco said..
Two stroke or four, if you lay it horizontally sea water in the engine collects in the cylinder head cooling jacket and rots it out.

So what do you suggest is the solution? Always stow vertically?

You could stow it vertically at the V berth, after removing a small V- triangle. I have 2 berths there, and a footwell covered by a small triangle of plywood and mattress. Held vertically by a boat hook, when I left the boat for a few months.

Strap it vertically to the mast in the cabin. Put down a suitable tray for it to sit on.
Aside from Ciscos caution its a must to drain the fuel from the carby . when storing horizontally. A pita.

I have a small Suzuki 4 stroke, it can be stored horizontally on its side, one side only.

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Bananabender said..
... its a must to drain the fuel from the carby . when storing horizontally. A pita.

Just run the outboard for 1 -2 minutes with the fuel turned off, then carby/float bowl is emptied. Either to store in the cabin or to lay in the car - run it dry and then you won't smell the fumes.

My little Honda lays on starboard side, oil can make its way via the crank case breather to the air intake and cause a smoking start up so I try to elevate the engine end a bit and that helps

Just a suggestion, if you are looking for a new outboard ... you can stow an electric motor horizontally.

I have a Yamaha 5hp 4 stroke, you can lay it on any side, that's in the owners manual .
But I always run it out of fuel, leave it vertical for the water to drain out and then store on its side with the powerhead
packed up with an old towel. It was a bit smokey after I left it for 2 months during covid.

My Yamaha 2-stroke has spent a large part of its time over the past ten years reclining on its side and is still in fine condition. I run the bowl almost dry, give it a few minutes upright to drain the water, and store it with the tiller side down.

Thanks for all of the replies. I didn't realise 4-strokes could be stored on their side. But also good ideas of how to strap vertically. My mast is keel stepped, so strapping to the mast down below is a good option.

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Achernar said..
Just a suggestion, if you are looking for a new outboard ... you can stow an electric motor horizontally.

Yeah makes sense, but I don't believe I will have the battery/charge capacity for an electric outboard. Not that I have done any research, but I only have two batteries on board (house/start) and a small solar panel + engine alternator for charging.

Do not want to have to run the main engine when charing the outboard and doubt the solar would keep up with the discharge rate on the house battery to not drain it too deeply.

But I will have a look at the Ah rating for electric outboards. Maybe they don't require too much to charge.

Probably won't go much further looking at electric outboards due to cost. Ouch!

e.g.
2.9m inflatable + 2.6hp 4-stroke = $2,295
2.9m inflatable + 3hp electric = $5,295

That's a $3k difference....would be very happy to strap the outboard to the mast down below to save $3k!

Get an outboard pad that clamps on to one of your pushpit rails and store your motor on that. I got mine from Whitworths many moons ago.

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samsturdy said..
Get an outboard pad that clamps on to one of your pushpit rails and store your motor on that. I got mine from Whitworths many moons ago.

Yeah Sam already got one of those for when we are on the boat, but was thinking more about stowing below for security reasons when leaving the boat on the mooring.

You want to be a bit careful how you store for warranty purposes. For example I have a Suzuki 4 st. Their manual says for long term storage - store vertical. For transportation see below. Note also about danger of water ingress if laid incorrectly.

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FabulousPhill said..
You could stow it vertically at the V berth, after removing a small V- triangle. I have 2 berths there, and a footwell covered by a small triangle of plywood and mattress. Held vertically by a boat hook, when I left the boat for a few months.

I found my photo, but of the main 9.8HP outboard. Sometimes I have put the little 2HP motor in the V-berth there.

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Enigma1 said..

samsturdy said..
Get an outboard pad that clamps on to one of your pushpit rails and store your motor on that. I got mine from Whitworths many moons ago.

Yeah Sam already got one of those for when we are on the boat, but was thinking more about stowing below for security reasons when leaving the boat on the mooring.

You should still be able to get outboard locks from outboard suppliers. These stop them from being undone and lifted off.

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samsturdy said..

You should still be able to get outboard locks from outboard suppliers. These stop them from being undone and lifted off.

Nice sentiment Sam but with battery powered angle grinders there is nothing that can't be undone. You need to remember that locks only keep out the honest people.

If you get a Honda 4 stroke, (mine is a 2Hp, they are now 2.3Hp), they are air cooled.
Easy to store on their sides, and great not having constant salt water or having to flush it each time.
Its now about 5 years old. Change the oil, spark plug once in a while, and all good. Much safer than leaving it on the pushpit.

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crustysailor said..
If you get a Honda 4 stroke, (mine is a 2Hp, they are now 2.3Hp), they are air cooled.
Easy to store on their sides, and great not having constant salt water or having to flush it each time.
Its now about 5 years old. Change the oil, spark plug once in a while, and all good. Much safer than leaving it on the pushpit.

Thanks Crusty. Could be an option.

Thanks everybody for your replies. Lots of good info. The way I am thinking now is to get a 4-stroke and when stowing for longer periods, strap it to the mast base down below. But for shorter periods, e.g. when putting it in the boot of the car to move it someplace, placing it horizontally would be ok if the fuel and water are drained.

But check the owner's manual to see if there is a specific side it needs to be laid down onto.

sorry, but if you do the Honda, it only goes down one one side, evident by the carry handle on the other, which faces up, and no need to drain fuel (or water), just close the breather cap, and turn the fuel off.
One of the few best things I bought.

Only downside, is it 's a bit more noisy being air cooled, especially if you gun it.
Best to just putt out slowly on a quiet Sunday morning out to the boat.