I did a web search for 20hp 4 stroke electric start outboards the other day.
I was surprised how many Asian (Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong)outboard dealers popped up and more so by the wide inventory and prices.
A number of new in box 2018-2020 models at what seemed to be very low prices. Under $2000 in many instances. And 30 day shipping to the US.
I assume what appears too good to be true probably is
Anyone have any experience with these dealers???
Not that I?m tempted, mainly curious.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Carl I also learned they still make brand new Yamaha 2 strokes available just not in the US. Man I would love a 60 Hp.
South Jersey

 
I was researching outboards online also.
Then I went to a local marina and talked with them about ordering an outboard from them. I lucked out, and bought a nice 2018 from a buddy when he heard I was looking.
From what I understand, the overseas motors were not intended to be sold in the USA and will have no warranty.
Or it is just a scam website.
I decided I was going to order local and just wait until it came in. They told me they were getting small outboards in slowly, and not getting any large outboards. I was willing to pay a few hundred more, and be sure not to get scammed, plus have a local place to go to if I had any issues.





Oxford, CT

Carl, I was just talking to my local outboard guy about the lack of available motors a couple of weeks ago. He told me anything under 60hp was now built overseas and most by Tohatsu then private labeled. That includes Mercury, Suzuki, some Hondas and some Yamaha models. In the states 60hp and up Mercury's are still built in Fond Du Lac, WI. All Mercury motors under that size are build and imported from overseas. He can't even get Mercury parts for outboard repair from their Mexico plants because the Mexico plants can't get what they need from their overseas suppliers. Covid has put everything on hold. This shop sells Lowe boats and he told me he has been allocated only 21 boats for 2022. Today your outboard options outside of Mercury are Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Tohatsu. If I didn't have to rely on a local shop for maintenance, I'd seriously consider ordering. In our area we are down to three options for maintenance. Unfortunately, if you don't buy local you better be prepared to take it to the shop you traveled to purchase from. Loyalty has become a driving force here.

Take care,

Ed L.
East Moline,
Illinois
_________________________________________
If I'd had asked what they wanted they would have said faster horses" - Henry Ford

Carl,


This is my understanding as well. It also falls in line with my research several years ago when I was looking for a professional grade camera. Yes, there were the "same" models sold elsewhere in the world, not intended for the USA, but those units did not carry the same USA warranty we have come to expect.

And yes, it is also a prime situation for somebody to be operating a flat-out scam.

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Take care, Huntindave McCann SHELL ROCK IA. ,,,,,, "As sailors grow older, the wiser ones move to smaller boats." Thomas Firth Jones, Multihull Voyaging

Yep, I believe the USA and EU are the only areas that banned 2 strokes. Most other countries still allow them.
I've always heard the older 3 cylinder Yamaha 30hp 2 stroke oil injected engines were the best small outboard in that size range ever made.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Yep, that is my understanding as well: Tohatsu/Nissan is making everyone's small outboards these days.
I wish now that I had kept my 18hp Nissan with electric start when I sold my old boat and bought the Smokercraft w/the 25 Merc.
Younger man's mistake!

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Carl,
I am looking for a 4hp motor for my scull boat. Was considering
Honda or Yamaha. I found the small outboard
Honda's are made in China.

RVZ

Last new outboard I bought is a 6hp Tohatsu 4 stroke for my Solo Skiff. Best price was at onlineoutboards.com and they also offer free shipping. Originally it was "out of stock" but I supplied them with my email and a month later was informed "back in stock". It was delivered within 5 days.


Pete


MOLON LABE [mo 'lon la 've]

Technology has it's place, hunting isn't it.

Life's a blink, never have to say ....... "I should have"!

"That human optimism & goodness that we put our faith in, is in no more danger than the stars in the jaws of the clouds." .................Victor Hugo

I had some issues with my 15 two stroke early in the season it got to the point where I just didn?t trust it and I didn?t want to start pulling the motor apart figured it was a good winter project. The dealers around here laughed at me when I inquired about purchasing a new one. So I got online and spent a good part of the day tracking one down. I ended up purchasing a Suzuki 20 hp mainly because of the weight which is 97 pounds their 9, 15, 20 have the same block and weight the motor came from plateau marine I believe they do their online business under different name marine I purchased the motor on a wed it was at my door Monday afternoon . I was a little hesitant about a purchase like that online I put in on my credit card in case there was an issue but it worked out just fine and the price was very fair

They don't come with a warranty and I believe, but I might be wrong, the 2 strokes still made for overseas are subject to seizure by customs coming into the USA. I saw the same as many people are mentioning. Yamaha still makes 2 stroke outboards, as well as others, for sale overseas. They come into the USA from customs, they peek in the crate, see it's a 2-stroke, it gets seized.

That was explained to me by someone who sells outboards.

Not everything gets inspected. However, I have a feeling a 100 lb + crate with Yamaha, Suzuki, etc written on the side might.

Yes, it's a shame.

I would not even consider ordering a 2 stroke at this point. The little bit of extra wieght of the current 4 strokes is offset by carying 3 gallons less gas!

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Good lead, here is their website: https://outboarddirect.com

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

100 percent correct on fuel efficiency there is certainly a noticeable difference between the 2 stroke and four stroke the four stroke sips fuel I can get away with a 3 gallon tank 95 percent of the time

They still might flag them in customs for emissions. The real problem is, and this has actually been beat up online:

1) No warranty. Not a huge deal on a smaller motors, though.

2) Import customs tax if they don't seize it. Might be perfectly legally to import them. They will definitely require a tax though.

3) Cost of freight/shipping.

4) Reputation of dealer, although, that site seems legitimate.

A lot of people in the past discounted that idea because by the time shipping, import taxes, etc were paid it was more than a new motor. However, with everything in drastically short supply, I see the appeal. I have read stories online of guys ordering OB's within the USA and having them shipped.

Outboards Direct appears to be US based.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Didn't know that. The price on the DF20 is incredibly attractive. I won't how much freight is? Little undersized for my boat but that's a highly regarded motor.

Free shipping g

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

The 20HP Suzuki with electric start is what I am looking at, lightest 20hp 4 stroke on the market and a 5 year warranty.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

It?s a nice motor I am happy with it so far I couldn?t justify spending what some of these guys were asking for a 90?s 15 two stroke for a little bit more money I could have something new with a 5 year warranty like mentioned I don?t have electric start on mine I didn?t want have a battery capable of turning it over in a sneakbox honestly it?s rather easy to pull over probably easier than my 15 two stroke

That's great info Carl thanks
South Jersey

I bought a 2021 30 hp Suzuki from Porta Bote.

Easy deal

Joe

Carl,

The Suzuki 20 and the Yamaha 25 are probably the lightest on the market. I actually entertained the idea of a DF20 for my Duck Invader 13 but really need the extra 5hp being I'm 220 lbs and one of my regular hunting buddies is like 250. I've seen guys running the DF20 on glass over cedar boxes here in NJ. Great combo if you ask me. People rag on Suzukis we just just sold a boat with a 2007 150hp. Never had a problem.

I'll probably give it a few more years with my Merc 25 and by then maybe the Yamaha 25's will be easier to get and even lighter. If, and that's a "questionable/debatable if" that DF20 would work for my DI13 I'd probably be ordering right along side you. Might be time for me to go on a diet lol.



Depends on application. I have a mint 2005 Johnson 15hp 2 stroke. 76 lbs, manual everything, I could take it off and throw it on my shoulder if I wanted to. It sits in my garage corner, winterized, as a back up motor. Guys running really light boxes like all-glass Higbees and even some of the layout boats can't add another 50 lbs to the back of the boat. Between 15 and 20/25hp is where things really diverge in the new 4 stroke world. The Yamaha 25 is like 125 lbs. If you're running a boat needing a 25, the difference of 10-15 lbs between lets say my Merc 25 (112 lbs) and the Yamaha 25 4 stroke (125 lbs) isn't much. However, going from a 15hp Johnson 2 stroke (76 lbs) and a Yamaha 15 4 stroke (112 lbs) that's a 40 lb difference. Some of the older 4 strokes are even heavier. That's why those DF20's are showing up on sneakboxes here in NJ. I've seen 3-4 of them this season so far.

Really the new 4 strokes have 2 advantages over the older 2 strokes 1) Fuel injection (play nicer with ethanol fuels) 2) Better fuel economy.

An older 2 stroke, in good condition with a combo electric/pull start like the Yamahas, Mercs, and Johnsons are really hard to beat. In the next 10 years though, lets see.

Very good lead! Thanks!

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Excellent conversations and information all around here, thanks everyone!

If I pull the trigger on a new motor this spring, which I am heavily leaning towards, my 25 hp Merc 2 stroke will be up for sale. I'll offer it here first.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "