Which boat to buy??

[chris moody]

Not a stupid question at all.

4 strokes can be laid down on their side, but only on one particular side. If you lay them down on the wrong side the sump oil drains into the cylinders.

2 strokes can be laid down on either side.

Maybe a stupid question but can you lay the outboard on its side for travelling?

[Mitch]

I always used to load mine into the car on it's side but found I struggled with it due to it's 52kgs & it was going to ruin the carpet dragging & lifting it in so I devised a way to make it easier.

[Martin]

Maybe a stupid question but can you lay the outboard on its side for travelling?

Absolutely no such thing as a silly question on this forum Paul, the sheer fact your asking means someone else is probably wondering the same.
Two strokes yes, any sided storage.

Four strokes vary, some of the new Honda and Suzuki range.. (the small 4/5/6hp) can I fact be laid on three sides. They have a new pan design which allows such.

In general though, four strokes lie one way only.. the Suzuki lies on the tiller and the casing states "this side up for storage"

If you get it wrong, you'll have a messy outboard and a very oily boot

[chris moody]

On thinking about it I don't think the sump oil can get into the cylinders, but it will drain somewhere and make a very oily mess.

Not a stupid question at all.

4 strokes can be laid down on their side, but only on one particular side. If you lay them down on the wrong side the sump oil drains into the cylinders.

2 strokes can be laid down on either side.

[Martin]

It can Chris, and over a period of time it will.
The oil sat in the pan can make its way past the rings and into the cylinders. You’ll get a hydraulic feeling when trying to start the motor.
Also stored the wrong way oil could seep pasty the dipstick tube bung or an engine breather, oil then works its way through the casing and swells and damages the dust/water seals and leaks all over your nice boot carpet lol.

As I said earlier, some manufacturers have got round this by building a plate into the sump to stop oil passing the sumo area on three angles..

On thinking about it I don't think the sump oil can get into the cylinders, but it will drain somewhere and make a very oily mess.

Not a stupid question at all.

4 strokes can be laid down on their side, but only on one particular side. If you lay them down on the wrong side the sump oil drains into the cylinders.

2 strokes can be laid down on either side.

[chris moody]

The side (or sides) you can lay 4 strokes down on varies engine to engine. My Honda 2hp lies down with the tiller handle uppermost, where my Suzuki 2.5hp has to be the other way up lying on its tiller handle.

[Paul B]

What ever make of engine you decide on, just follow the manufactures instructions on storage / transportation and you will have no problems, just take into account how you are going to transport it and the room required to do so,

[PaulR]

Thanks everyone, great advice as usual

[PaulR]

So Martin do you take your F-Rib anywhere local to Huddersfield, the reason I ask is I am from Halifax originally and was trying to think of somewhere over that way to get on the water.

[Martin]

My quick boating location would be ullswater,I sometimes pop up there with the nipper. I’ve met a few members up there too to show them the ropes somewhat.
Need to try and get out east & west coasts next year, maybe Blackpool and Redcar
I do Scotland twice a year and try to get south at least once a year