Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

[fishrdan]

I was poking around Harbor Freight and this came up in my search... 5HP 4 stroke outboard for $799.

Being that it's a Harbor Freight item I bet it's POS, but thought it was kind of strange that they were selling outboards. Not to mention trying to get parts for it

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

Tempting, isn't it. I'd pass, though. It looks like one of the Chinese outboards and, you're right, parts are not available.

For $800, you can buy a very, very nice Johnson or Evinrude 6 hp from the 80s or 90s. It'll be a two-stroke, but it'll run forever and parts will be available for a long time.

I'm just sayin...

 

[ljs22]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

Looking at the outside setup this is nearly identical to a Tohatsu 5HP 4 Stroke. The only really noticable difference is the built in gas tank. Other than that it is a twin at about half the price. I would be willing to bet the parts interchange. If so, this could be a real bargain if you need a 5hp 4 stroke and want a brand new motor not a 30 year old 2 stroke. Just my $.02.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

Your right that thing looks identical to a Tohatsu but it can't be can it? Probably just an exact replica that has about 1/10th the life span of the real thing.

Harbor Freight regularly has a 15% off coupon in their flyers that they mail out for any item the carry so that would drop the price to $680.

At that price iboats might have to make a separate "Greyhound" category.

 

[ljs22]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

After a little more research i found this page:

http://www.madeinchina.com/344657/P6037924/4-Stroke-5-Hp-Outboard-Motor.shtml

Looks suspiciously familiar huh? I am surprised HF can get away with selling those to US customers.

I am sure they are inferior to the Japanese Tohatsu but to put it in perspective Japan built my Cruise N Carry 2.7 HP and that thing could not be built worse by any country.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

Who's to say the Tohatsu version isn't a relabel, as well? Maybe it is a white label engine. Heck, you can buy white label motorcycles, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Greyhound 4 stroke Outboard, Harbor Freight WT?

Just as I thought. Chinese junk outboard. It may run when you get it. It may run several times for you. Then, it'll quit and the part you need to fix it will not be obtainable anywhere.

China may produce some very good outboards before long. For now, though, until there is an established dealer network with readily available parts, they're a bad idea for boaters.

Think about all those little minibikes out there. They run for three months, then it's all over for them.