Is there such a thing as a good, small 4-stroke outboard?
In the pile of recent correspondence relating to my paddlesport column,
I've had several letters asking about fitting outboard motors to canoes.
This is an old problem, of course, and one best addressed by either
bolting on a purpose-built bracket or buying a square-stern boat.
With an eye to the problems of air and water pollution associated with
the use of 2-stroke marine engines, however, I'd like to be able to
recommend a small _4-stroke_ outboard to people who express an interest
in motor-canoeing. Unfortunately, it's been more than twenty years since
I last used an outboard of any sort. Can those of you with greater
expertise and more recent experience offer any suggestions or
recommendations? (How small is "small"? Good question. Old Town Canoe
recommends that its motor mount not be used with engines developing more
than 4 h.p.; their square-stern Discovery Sport boats will accommodate
3- 5-h.p. outboards.)
Many thanks!
Forrest Brownell
South Colton NY