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Outboard

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Apr 27, 2025
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Hello,I have two canoes and 17 grammar and a 14 great Canadian, looking for a 1.5 or 2hp lightweight motor to side mount on either canoe,any recommendations, thankyou.
 
We have multiple decent canoes for paddling, i don't plan to give up paddling anytime soon.
I've always wanted to try a sidemount outboard. My wife's uncle offered us his old Grumman 17' canoe that was a already registered as a motorboat so we accepted it. After searching for a suitable used outboard, I realized people must rarely sell their 2-4hp motors.
This winter I started looking at new outboards. Outboardmotorsonline had an overstock of 2.5 jp Suzukis for a little over $600.00 so we bought one. The primary reason for the 2.5 hp Suzuki was weight, it's only 29 pounds. Time will tell if I made the right choice.
Some of our small lakes are now becoming ice free so I'm looking forward to trying it out. I'm reluctant to try it for the first time until the water temperature is a little above freezing.
Good luck with your decision, keep us posted on how it all works out for you.
 
Before attaching the motor on the side mount, put some weight on the opposite side of the canoe to counter the weight of the motor. I’ve watch a few 17 foot Grumman canoe turn turtle at the boat launch. It never happened to me because my mentors told me what could/would happen.
I went all over the BWCA on the somewhat extensive motor routes back when it was legal.
1.5 horse power Johnson 2 stroke was plenty back then. These days I use a use a 2 hp four stroke Honda, on a 15.5 Grumman Sport Boat. It is much more quiet if your future hearing is important to you. You can carry on a conversation with the person in the bow seat. People on the lakes can also hear your conversations from a long ways away, so make sure your conversations are appropriate.
My mentors always had MORE spare shear pins taped to the motor. You can never have too many of them in rock strewn country. A multi tool for straightening cotter pins. New spark plugs and tool for replacing them. Having enough spare gas for return trip is important too. Stashing gas it is important to stash it where bears can’t get at it as they love to chew up plastic containers.
 
I have had a couple of the Gamefisher air-cooled 2 stroke outboards over the years, very lightweight (20 pounds) and trouble free. They show up fairly frequently in the used market. No reverse gear, though, you have to spin 'em around.
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