Question on Honda 4 stoke 30 hp or others

[EricT]

Anyone have a smaller 4 stoke outboard motor? I'm looking at a 1998 30hp Honda or a 2006 Suzuki 25 hp long shaft and both have electric start and tiller. This is for a 1979 Lund pike 16V.It has remote and steering in it now and 25hp Johnson long shaft electric. Want to change it to a tiller and get some more room in it.
Suggestions welcome
Thanks in advance.
EricT

[10MMGary]

I have no experience as an owner of honda outboards but the only thing I have ever heard(keyword being "heard") bad about the older 4 cycle Hondas was the large size and weight for the amount of HP. Being a tiller steer you may want to double check how boat sits with you the engine and the gas and what not in the rear. I have been told the new models are much smaller and weigh less for the same HP. Had a couple with a pair of larger honda 4 cycle outboards on their 26 foot fishing boat next to use a few weeks back and I swear I didn't even realize that their motors were running until he pushed the throttle forward and headed out. We were having a conversation and talking normally and you could not even hear the motors at idle.

[Ron in Virginia]

Before you get a Suzuki read this link: http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=160737&start=1 titled “Why would anyone buy Suzuki after reading this from Boat U.S.?”

I just got a (1999) 18’ Sea Ark with a 75 Honda 4 stroke. I did some checking before I bought this boat. It seems that the only problems with these 4 stroke motors are the small orifices in the carburetors. They clog up easily. These are the only issues that seem to pop up. Other that that they run great. You have to make sure you have a fuel/water separator, and keep stabil (fuel stabilizer) in the fuel. (Run ethanol free fuel if you can find it.)

For long term storage, (a couple of months) I have seen two schools of thought. Some say that the stabil in the fuel will be all you need. Others have told me to cut off the fuel, run dry, and then drain the carburetor bowls.

[EricT]

Thanks Ron Suzuki is out.

[robbor]

I was out trolling many years ago in my little jon and 3.6 hp elgin (Yes 3.6, really fast!! almost 5mph) and a guy trolls up along side me a we start talking Im yelling because I cant hear him but he can hear me fine, he was trolling a 225 honda, made me really think about a new motor.