Want to change my dinghy motor to a 2010 Suzuki DF6 6hp

letitride

Any one running the new Suzuki DF6 6hp (specific) motor on there dinghy?

History
I have a 2003 Mercury 4hp 4 stroke 55lbs 20" shaft on my CD22 Cruiser and use it for the dinghy and as an emergency back up motor to keep me off the rocks if need be. I have used this motor for 4 trips each time on the dinghy, I have had several problems with it either leaking some oil (a few drips-not a lot but annoying and I cannot tolerate any oil leaking) seems to be coming from inside the motor area under the inside gas tank located closest to the front and it also has a very rough idle (needs the carb cleaned or rebuilt) thats my guess, bought it used and guess I got a lemon......(sending it in this weekend for service)...then it will be sold ASAP.

What will I do with this motor?
99% of the time it will be used on a 2009 Achilles LSI-290 dinghy currently the 4hp push it just fine and can plan it with one person. I use the dinghy for a shore boat and some time we cruise around to different beachs within a few miles of our anchorage. I can get 2hp more by switching motors with out increasing the weight. It seems like a very wise choice + 6hp should be capable of pushing the CD22 along slowly but definately faster than a 4hp. Also 55lbs is the max weight I like to move from the transom to the dinghy by hand at anchor.
1% of the time a back up motor for emergency stay off the beach / rocks to reach a safe anchorage location. so the ultra light 2.5hp motors are out of the question.

Back to the main question:
I want to replace it with the new 2010 Suzuki 6hp with an integrated 1.5gal tank it also weight in at the same 55lbs - but need to hear from others on the specific likes and dislikes about this motor.

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

I recently bought a 6hp Tohatsu kicker and am pleased with it so far. I originally wanted the Suzuki but the online dealer could not get one as soon as I wanted. I like the internal tank and larger displacement.

It may have been just sales talk to sell me the in-stock Tohatsu but he said he preferred the Tohatsu over the Suzuki. The one main item he mentioned was that the large carry handle on the Suzuki is plastic and he said he has ordered many replacement handles because they break.

Also the 5hp Mercury is made by Tohatsu, as is Nissan, and it is the same basic motor as the 6hp. So that information may not help much. There are a few CD22 owners that have the Tohatsu 6hp as dinghy and kicker motor and I have not heard any complaints yet.

Hope what ever you get works well for you.

Steve

Tortuga · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:23 am Post subject:

I love my Tohatsu 6 -- easy to start, and enough torque to move the 22 at 5 knots even in a good breeze and modest current. And, on the dinghy it is fast and light.

Tie the motor to the boat before transferring to the dinghy -- almost dropped mine in the drink!

Matt

letitride · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:37 am Post subject:

Matt:
Seems a 6hp is very good option since it can be used as back-up on the CD22 - 5 knots is a good speed in a breeze and little current. Thank you for the information this is exactly what I need to understand. Also I saw your CD while at Avalon back a few months ago wanted to catch you to check out your seat design seem to really make the most use of the space, next time....

Steve:
Thx, I also heard that the plastic handle is not the best design on the Suzuki but it is a flaw I can easily live with. Since it is only for handling not performance related issue.

I checked out the Tohatsu 6hp, do they have an internal gas tank - I did not see that option listed?

Thx,
Paul

SeaSpray · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:02 am Post subject:

Hi Paul,

The Tohatsu 6hp does not have an internal tank. The one I bought included a 3 gal tank and hose.

Steve

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

We sell a lot of the Suzuki 6's. Their light weight makes them a great dicghy motor. Of all the ones we have sold, we haven't seen a broken handle. The 4 horse is the same design, so we have a lot of these out there.

The bad news- Unless a dealer has one in stock, they won't be available until late in October.

journey on · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

Having an external tank is a big plus. with an internal tank, I always carried a jug of gasoline so I could refill the internal tank. Rowing back didn't appeal to me. Finally converted the (Evenrude) motor to an external tank, and never had to pour gas whilst in an inflatable again.

Boris

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

BTW- the 6 horse can use an external tank if desired.

letitride · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:22 am Post subject:

Hi Boris,

I agree that is why I only get a dinghy motor that has both: internal tank with an external connection for a 3 gal tank.

We will start out with the external 3 gal tank and run all over the place with out worry and then when we run out of gas. Switch to the internal tank and never ever have to row again either way. Nothing worse then trying to fill the tank while in the dinghy with wind and waves.....try this once and you'll quickly change your mind...about internal tank only....designed motors.

Thx
Paul