A quiet outboard motor is handy, whether you are fishing or sporting. Besides, nobody enjoys having a noisy boat, and with a quiet outboard motor, you can enjoy every moment on your boat. Furthermore, it's simple to choose the correct motor once you know what type of boat you will be using and how far you will be traveling. Therefore, we got you whether you want a big, small, gasoline or electric motor. Therefore, here's the best quietest outboard motor for your boat.
What is an Outboard Motor?
An outboard motor is a boat propulsion system with a self-contained unit that features an engine, gearbox, jet drive or propeller and is meant to be mounted on the transom. Outbound motors are the most popular type of motorized propulsion for small boats. They provide steering control and propulsion since they are intended to pivot over their mountings and control the thrust direction.
When the motor is turned off, the skeg works as a rudder. You can easily remove outboard motors, unlike inboard motors for storage or maintenance. Now that we know what outboard motors are, let's check out the best quietest models.
1. Mercury Racing 450R
https://www.mercuryracing.com/engines/r-series/450r.html
Mercury Racing 450R features a 2.4-liter double-screw supercharger and a commercially accessible Sports Master Gearcase. It weighs 702 pounds, comes with a 20-inch-long shaft, and has impressive top-speed potential for bass boats.
The Mercury Racing 450R Outboard Motor features an 89-octane gas pump contributing to the high horsepower rating. As a result, you won't have to lug your bowrider over to the local drag strip to fuel up on 100-octane race gas. Conversely, the overall horsepower of an outboard motor is limited by what can physically fit in the boat. For example, if your boat has a 350-horsepower quad, repowering it with the Mercury Racing 450R is equivalent to adding an entire engine.
With a three-year warranty, you can be sure that the Mercury Racing 450R is not too taxed, despite its great power rating.
2. Yamaha Offshore XTO
https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/home/outboards/xto-offshore/v8-5-6l
The Yamaha Offshore XTO 5.6-liter V-8 outboard motor usually combines power, dependability, system integration, control and comfort, all in the 425 horsepower XTO Offshore. In addition, this model is the first four-stroke outboard to use direct fuel injection, spraying fuel at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber instead of the intake track, enhancing atomization and boosting fuel burn effectiveness to improve power and efficiency.
This outboard motor weighs 952 pounds and has integrated electronic steering, eliminating hydraulic lines, fluid, and connections. It provides for neat rigging and a well-organized bilge. The Offshore XTO provides up to 96 amps (net) at idle and achieves peak power at roughly 1,500 rpm. It's designed to work with Yamaha's Helm Master joystick control system.
According to Yamaha's performance assessment, the quad Offshore XTOs can propel a 41-foot Regulator center console to 63.7mph. Likewise, you can operate a 200-horsepower twin on a single 25-foot XTO Sportsman at up to 55mph and 2.83mpg on a cruise of 29mph.
3. Suzuki Marine DF9.9B EFI
This portable and quietest outboard motor are the only one in its class to have electronic fuel injection, which allows quick starting, rapid acceleration, and smooth operation at all engine speeds. Moreover, it doesn't require a battery. The two-cylinder 327cc overhead-cam engine also has Suzuki's proven Lean Burn Control System for exceptional fuel efficiency from low idle speeds to cruising speeds.
This Suzuki Marine outbound motor weighs 108 pounds and has an electric or manual start and a decompression mechanism for quick pull-starts. Besides, Suzuki's class-leading 327cc displacement provides enough torque for towing inflatables, small fishing boats, and other items. Plus, optional power tilt and trim.
Suzuki simplifies rigging for a wide range of boat builders by adding its proven drive-by-wire technology to its 115HP and 140HP in-line four-cylinder models and silky smooth shifting, rapid throttle response, improved performance, and superior fuel efficiency. In addition, an improved compression ratio of 10.6:1 helps in the acceleration and peak speed of these new 2.0-liter displacement outboards by enhancing thermal efficiency.
4. Honda Marine BF2.3
https://marine.honda.com/outboards/motor-detail/BF2.3
If you're looking for the best quietest outboard motor for small boats, count on the Honda Marine BF2.3 due to its portability, performance, and dependability. The Honda Marine BF2.3 has the biggest internal fuel tank in its class, at 0.4 gallons. Due to the decompression mechanism that takes out cylinder pressure to reduce pulling force. Additionally, this outbound motor weighs about 60 pounds. It is powered by a 127cc overhead-cam engine with an Oil Alert system that detects any reduction in oil pressure and immediately limits the engine speed to 2,300 rpm.
The Honda BF2.3 outboard motor has an optional charging system with 6 amps at 12 volts To charge your electrical devices on board. Besides, this V6 Honda outboard motor comes with various rigging options for a customized on-the-water experience, including Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iSTR) and mechanical control options, freshly designed user interfaces, and a multi-function color display.
Additionally, the motor features improved corrosion resistance with a new surface coating on engine components that combine chemically treated zinc-nickel plating with a high corrosion-resistant top coat. Furthermore, components such as thermostat cover, oil pan, upper mount cover and prop shaft holder usually use higher corrosion-resistant materials, resulting in a more robust engine and gearcase.
5. Mercury Marine 20 EFI FourStroke
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en-gb/africa/engines/outboard/fourstroke/30-60-hp/
The Mercury Marine 20 hp Four-Stroke Motor is designed for anglers, commercial operators and recreational boaters. It has battery-free electronic fuel injection for reliable starting, rapid throttle response, robust performance, and excellent fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, the motor weighs 99 pounds, only making it one of the lightest in its class.
Mercury Marine 4-Stroke Motor is available with an electronic start, built for ease of maintenance, with a clean, no-drip, no-spill oil-drain system. Besides, the Mercury Marine Motor comes with an award-winning multi-function tiller handle which allows for ambidextrous operation. In addition, you can adjust its vertical down-stop to meet different boat layouts and transoms.
What Are the Advantages of an Outboard Motor?
1. Speed
If you replace your oars with an outboard engine, you will enjoy a significant gain in speed. But, the increase in speed is proportional to the size of the motor you go for.
2. Save time and energy.
Rowing a boat requires a lot of energy, but an outboard engine can help you conserve energy. Besides, you will save a lot of time getting to your location because an outboard engine is significantly faster than rowing.
3. Distance
There is no doubt that an outboard engine is required if you wish to travel any significant distance on the water. You may even update your fuel tank if you intend on spending the day on the water.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Quietest Outboard Motor
1. Horsepower
Before you settle for the best quietest outboard motor, consider the horsepower that meets your needs. The best motor models can be powered by engines ranging from 50hp to 300hp. Calculating your boat's estimated overall weight, including accessories, passengers, gear, and fuel, is an excellent approach. Only by doing so will you determine the distance you want to cover daily and your preferred cruise speed. Then you can figure out what horsepower range is best for you.
2. Two-stroke vs. four-stroke
A 2-stroke motor will be enough for casual anglers or those learning to fish. Besides, it's more economical, but it's also easier and less expensive to fix. In contrast, 4-stroke counterparts provide exceptional fuel efficiency and are an excellent option for boaters who want a high-performance engine capable of covering longer distances.
Moreover, it's worth mentioning that improved manufacturing techniques, combined with the availability of higher-quality materials, have successfully eliminated the traditional size and noise differences between four-stroke and two-stroke engines.
3. Fuel efficiency
Look for an outboard motor that uses less gasoline at all costs. Select one of the outboard motors recommended in this article. They come with the most recent fuel-saving technologies.
4. Weight
Choosing the best quietest outboard motor goes beyond the power and torque. The weight of your boat is an important consideration when deciding between a six-cylinder and a four-cylinder motor. A lightweight boat is more compatible with a 4-cylinder engine. So, a 4-cylinder would be an excellent option for a bay or center console boat less than 22 feet long. Moreover, a lightweight console with dual engines is suitable with a four-cylinder motor. Conversely, consider a motor with a broader arc for the torque curve if your boat is larger. As a result, while your boat is at planning speeds, the engines are not overworked.
5. Size
When choosing the best quietest outboard motor, it's important to consider the size of your boat. Putting a small outboard motor on a large boat might cause the engine to wear out early or cause issues with safety and your boat's plane. Conversely, a powerful outboard motor on a small boat might overheat and burn spark plugs.
6. Construction and durability
Water is usually highly corrosive. Therefore, if you choose an outboard motor that lacks corrosion-resistant qualities, you will be compelled to purchase another motor within a short amount of time. Besides, the engine's structure also impacts its strength and capacity to withstand extreme water conditions.
7. Shaft length
Since small boats have small transoms, you will need a short shaft length. Though some small boats have larger transoms, they require outboard engines with lengthy shafts. However, most small boats will not require this. Measure the height of your boat's back-end from bottom to top and right in the middle of the stern to calculate the optimal shaft length for your boat. This measurement should correspond to the length of your shaft.
There's nothing to worry about if you're off by one or two inches. Nonetheless, if you are five inches or more off, there is an issue, so ensure your transom height is near the motor shaft.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Quietest Outboard Motor
1. Are four-stroke engines quieter than two-stroke engines?
Do you know whether the boater is quieter with the oar engine or the one without? A 4-stroke outboard engine is substantially quieter at idling. Running a four-stroke outboard motor is still quieter though some manufacturers believe some 2 strokes are as quiet as 4.
2. Can I use a fuel stabilizer in my outboard motor?
Yes, using a fuel stabilizer in an outboard engine is okay. However, because most people only use their boats seasonally, it is especially important to use a stabilizer during the offseason.
3. What's the best outboard motor for fishing?
Electric outboard motors are ideal for fishing since they are practically silent and do not scare the fish away. However, if you need to go in rough water or over long distances, you may want to consider a fuel outboard motor for added power.
