Choosing a 9.8 horsepower outboard motor is a crucial moment for many hydraulics, and it is this power that allows you to legally operate a vessel without registration with the GIMS, if the weight of the engine and boat in the total does not exceed 200 kg, which makes this segment extremely popular. The market is full of offers from China, but among hundreds of brands it is difficult to find a real real one. fittingIt will last for many years without major repairs.
Many 9.8 hp models are technically de-forced versions of 10-horsepower engines, which gives them a margin of safety. However, the build quality and materials used by different Chinese manufacturers are radically different. brand They have proven themselves best, what to pay attention to when buying and how not to get into a frank marriage.
It's worth noting that "Chinese" is not always a bad thing, big factories make products under their own names and licenses of well-known Japanese brands, and you will be presented with detailed analytics based on the statistics of service centers and the experience of real owners who have walked thousands of miles on the water.
Why 9.8 horsepower: features of the segment
The 9.8 hp power is not chosen by chance, it is a kind of "gold standard" for lovers of quiet water and small rivers. Often these engines are structurally identical to 10-horsepower models, but have a throttle limiter or software "strangle." stockpilewhich, if desired, can be disclosed, although it deprives of warranty.
The main advantage of these engines is their weight. Most models weigh in the range of 25-27 kg, which allows one person to operate them on land without using a trolley. For PVC inflatable boats with a length of 3.2 to 3.8 meters, this is the best option, providing plane with one or two passengers.
However, when choosing a Chinese brand, it is important to consider the availability of spare parts. Sea-Pro or Sail You can fix it in almost any service because of the abundance of parts, and rare nouneims can turn into a pile of metal after the first failure, depending on the model's circulation and the year of release.
Market leaders: Sail, Hidea and Sea-Pro
The three leaders in the post-Soviet space are traditionally divided by the brands Sail, Hidea and Sea-Pro. These companies have been working for a long time and have managed to form a stable reputation. Sail The 9.8BMS is often called “unkillable” for its simple two-stroke design and cast-iron cylinder sleeves.
Brand Hidea It is positioned as more technologically advanced, often copying Yamaha’s solutions. Their engines are quieter and have better lubrication systems, but require better fuel quality and careful handling. Sea-Pro, in turn, is famous for its availability of spare parts, as it assembles on the same lines as many other popular brands.
When choosing between these three, you should focus on specific needs. For fishing in remote places where there is no service, a simple and sluggish Sail is better suited. For cruising and tourism, where comfort and low noise levels are important, it will be preferable to go for a short trip. Hidea.
The secret of Sail 9.8
The Sail 9.8BMS is popular because its lower unit and propeller are completely interchangeable with the legendary Yamaha 9.9, making the search for spare parts rudimentary.
Technical specifications and comparison of models
To objectively assess reliability, you need to compare the technical parameters of the leaders. The table below shows the key specifications of popular models that will help you make the most of the models. weighted.
| Parameter | Sail 9.8BMS | Hidea HD9.8FWS | Sea-Pro F 9.8S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of engine | two-stroke | two-stroke | two-stroke |
| Workload (cm3) | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| Weight (kg) | 26 | 25.5 | 26 |
| Ignition system | CDI | CDI | CDI |
| Guarantee (mo) | 24 | 24 | 24 |
And as you can see from the table, the technical differences are minimal, because we all have the same base, and the differences are in the build quality, the factory carburettor setup and the configuration. Hidea They can be equipped with more comfortable start knobs or improved lower unit.
Pay attention to the cooling system. In reliable models, water circulates efficiently even at idle speeds, which prevents overheating when maneuvering in the port. The weak pressure of the control is the first sign of problems with the impeller or channel system, which is often found in cheap copies.
All three leaders use the same piston group with a volume of 169 cc, so the engine life depends primarily on the quality of the assembly and compliance with the rules of running.
What to look for when buying a used motor
The market for used engines is huge, and you can buy used Chinese, which is a lottery you can win if you know where to look. First, check the compression. For a two-stroke 9.8 hp engine, compression in the 9-11 atmosphere range is normal. If the reading is below 8, the engine requires overhaul.
The second important thing is the condition of the lower unit and the anti-cavitational stove, and the presence of deep bullies, dents, or welding marks indicates that the engine has eaten stones, which can cause geometry to break and overheat. Also check the lower unit for backlashes; if the gas handle is dangling and the lower unit is wobbling, the crankshaft bearings are likely worn out.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a used motor, be sure to ask the seller to start it on water. The lack of stable idling or the presence of blue smoke (provided that the oil is mixed correctly) indicates serious problems with the piston group or omentums.
Remember to check the engine number, which must match the number on the documents, if any, and not have traces of interruption. Often, fraudsters sell engines assembled from "contract" parts, and such units may not pass registration or technical inspection.
☑️ Testing of used engine
Running in: the pledge of a long life of the engine
Chinese engines, like any other two-stroke, require proper running, and ignoring this stage is the main cause of early breakdowns, the break-in process takes about 10 hours and involves operating in different modes, but with limited speed. mix should be richTherefore, it is recommended to increase the share of oil in gasoline.
The standard break-in pattern is this: the first 2-3 tanks run at 30-40% of the gas, making frequent breaks for cooling. Then gradually increase the load to 80%. Full operation at full speed is allowed only after 10 tanks of fuel are developed.
Use only quality oil for two-stroke engines labeled TC-W3. Cheap oils can coke exhaust windows and muffler, which is critical for modern engines with catalytic converters, which are found in some models of 9.8 hp to meet eco-standards.
For the first running mixture, use a ratio of 1:25 (40 ml of oil per 1 liter of gasoline), even if the instruction allows for 1:50.
Typical malfunctions and their elimination
Even the most reliable Chinese engines have their own pain points. One of the common problems is the failure of the crankshaft gland. Symptoms are air suction, unstable idling and overheating of the piston. Replacing the glands requires skills and a special tenant, so it is better to trust this. professional.
The second common problem is the destruction of propeller veneers. Chinese manufacturers sometimes use soft metal for the veneers, and they are cut off when hitting an obstacle. Always have a spare set of veneers and screw-breakers in the remix. It is also worth checking the quality of the screw mount bolt - it must be reliably lawn.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave the motor in water for long periods, especially in salt water. lower unit aluminum alloys are susceptible to electrochemical corrosion, and the anode protection does not always cope with aggressive environments.
Carburettor problems are also not uncommon: Factory settings can be knocked down, or jelly-jelly-diggers can get clogged with dirt from the tank. Regular cleaning of the fuel system and using a sediment filter will help avoid problems with fuel supply and power loss.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can you suffocate the Chinese engine 9.8 to 10 hp?
Technically, most 9.8 hp engines are copies of 10-horsepower models. smothering usually involves removing the throttle limiter or reflashing the CDI. However, this leads to a loss of warranty and can reduce the life of the engine, as it will run to the limit of its capabilities.
Which gasoline is best used for Chinese engines?
The AI-95 petrol from proven gas stations is recommended, and the AI-92 is possible, but it may require adjusting the ignition angle or replacing the candles with hotter ones, the main thing is freshness of the fuel and proper mixing with oil.
How reliable are Chinese engines compared to Japanese ones?
Modern Chinese engines from top brands (Sail, Hidea) are more reliable than Japanese engines from 10 to 15 years ago, losing in resource and quality of materials (such as bearings), but benefiting in price and availability of parts. When used properly, they last a very long time.
Where to find spare parts for a rare Chinese engine?
For popular models, parts are available from official dealers. For rare brands, parts from Yamaha, Tohatsu or Suzuki are often suitable, since many Chinese are copies of them.
Choosing a Chinese 9.8 hp outboard motor is a reasonable trade-off between price and functionality. When you buy a model from a proven manufacturer and follow the rules of operation, you get a reliable fishing and recreational assistant that pays off in one or two seasons of active operation.