Choosing an outboard motor for a small boat or PVC boat always involves finding a “golden mean” between power, weight and cost. In the segment up to 10 horsepower, Chinese manufacturers, in particular the brand. HideaThe 9.8 hp model has become a real bestseller, and requests for real-world experience are growing with each season.
Many water motors are considered Hidea HD9.8 It's a budget option for fishing or cruising, but they're afraid of the Chinese's reliability. It's actually a clone of a time-tested design that makes it maintainable and affordable, but like any technology, it has its own features that you should know about before you buy, to avoid disappointment.
In this review, we analyzed dozens of real-life owners’ stories to get an objective picture of the real fuel consumption, the nuances of running and the typical problems users face. A critical factor in the durability of the engine is the use of high-quality oil and the correct proportion of the fuel mixture during the break-in period. Let’s see if you should trust this unit your time on the water.
Technical specifications and design features
Constructively Hidea 9.8 It's based on a proven two-cylinder two-stroke circuit, and it's a classic solution that delivers excellent low-speed traction, which is especially important for planing under full load, and it weighs about 27 kilograms, making it easy enough to put on a transom of small boats, but it feels more massive than some of the competitors in this class.
The ignition system here is electronic (CDI), which saves the owner from having to monitor the status of contacts and adjust the gaps, as was the case in the old models. Mikuni Or its quality counterparts ensure the stable operation of the engine, although sensitivity to fuel quality is still present. The cooling system works by taking water through a pump located in lower unit.
- 🚤 The engine capacity is 169 cubic centimeters, which is the standard for the 9.9 hp class.
- ⚙️ The gear ratio of the gearbox 2.08:1 allows you to efficiently transfer torque to the screw.
- ⛽ The capacity of the built-in fuel tank is often absent in the basic configuration, requiring the purchase of a separate take-away tank for 12-25 liters.
It is important to note that there is a forced lubrication system where the oil is automatically fed into the mixture or mixed manually depending on the modification and year of release. Hidea It requires a mixture of gasoline and oil in a separate container, which many consider a more reliable lubrication method for two-strokes.
Real fuel consumption and efficiency
One of the most common questions prospective buyers ask is about the appetite of the engine. Two-stroke engines are traditionally considered less economical than four-stroke engines, but in a class under 10 hp, the difference is not as catastrophic when compared with weight and maintenance costs. Hidea 9.8 It depends on the operation mode and the state of the screw.
At idle speeds, the engine consumes a minimum amount of fuel, about 0.5-0.7 liters per hour, which allows you to drift for a long time while waiting for a cool. When driving half-heartedly, when the boat is in transition mode, the flow rate is about 2.5-3 liters. The maximum flow rate achieved on full gas when planing can reach 4.5-5 liters per hour.
⚠️ Attention: The actual consumption may be higher than stated if you use a propeller with an inappropriate pitch or if the bottom of the boat is overgrown with algae. Also, try not to keep the engine at maximum speeds for a long time without loading - this leads to overheating.
For comparison of efficiency, we will give the data in tabular format, based on average indicators of owners of boats with a length of 3.2-3.6 meters:
| Mode of work | Turnovers (roughly) | Fuel consumption (L/h) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle move | 1000 rpm | 0.6 - 0.8 | Trolling, waiting. |
| Economical move | 3,000 rpm | 2.0 - 2.5 | Transitional regime |
| Full gas. | 5000+ rpm | 4.5 - 5.2 | planing |
| Season-average | Mixed | 3.0 - 3.5 | Real exploitation |
The economy is also highly dependent on the quality of the mixture. The use of modern two-stroke oil with the labeling TC-W3 It allows you to burn fuel cleaner and reduces the formation of soot on the pistons, and owners note that when you switch to quality oils, the resource of spark plugs increases by one and a half times.
The process of breaking in: tips and nuances
The break-in is the most important stage in the life of any new motor, and Hidea Ignoring or reducing the running time often results in cylinder bullying and loss of compression in the first 100 hours of the cycle, taking about 10 liters of fuel or about 2-3 hours of operation.
The first two tanks are recommended to run the engine at speeds less than half the maximum power, which is necessary to latch the piston rings to the cylinder walls. Many beginners mistakenly believe that the engine should be “driven” immediately, but for two-stroke engines this is disastrous.
☑️ Checklist of proper breaking in
Particular attention should be paid to the proportion of oil in gasoline, although modern oils allow the use of a mixture of 1:50, during the break-in period. recommend Make the mixture richer -- 1:25 -- that's going to make the rubbing parts better until they're in the gaps, and then you can go back to the standard 1:50 ratio after the first tanks are developed.
What happens if you don't run it?
Neglect of running can lead to local overheating of the piston, the risk of turning the liners (if they are in the design of the gearbox or rod) and rapid wear of the glands. The motor can work, but its resource will be reduced by several times.
Typical malfunctions and ways to eliminate them
Despite the overall reliability of the engines Hidea 9.8 There are a number of childhood diseases and weaknesses that experienced users know about, and most often, the problems are not with the engine itself, but with the fuel supply system and low voltage electricity, and knowing these nuances will help to avoid downtime on the water.
One of the common problems is that the ignition coil or switch fails, and the symptoms are unstable idling or the engine fails to start completely, and owners complain of leaking the lower unit glands, which can lead to water entering the gearbox and emulsifying the lubricant.
- 🔧 Carburetor problem: often requires cleaning of jelly tar deposits if the motor has been with fuel for a long time.
- 🔩 Weakening of the fastener: vibrations can lead to spontaneous unwinding of the bolts of the leg or pallet lid, regular stretching is required.
- 💧 Cooling pump: impeller pump sensitive to work "dry", in the absence of water flow it melts in minutes.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice that water has stopped flowing from the control hole, immediately turn off the engine. Operating without cooling causes serious damage to the cylinder-piston group in a very short time.
To fix most minor problems, the owner needs to have a basic set of tools and know the engine's design, such as carburetor adjustment. Hidea is produced by screws of quality and quantity of mixture, access to which does not usually require complete disassembly.
Comparison with competitors: Tohatsu and Yamaha
When it comes to choosing a 9.8 hp engine, the buyer always has a dilemma in his head: take a proven Japanese engine. Tohatsu M9.8 more accessible HideaJapanese engines are famous for their fault-free and high quality materials, but their cost is often 1.5-2 times higher. Hidea In this context, it acts as a reasonable alternative, offering 80-90% of the functionality of top brands for less money.
By weight and size Hidea 9.8 nearly identical TohatsuBut the quality of the aluminum casting and the paint from the Chinese manufacturer may be slightly inferior, and the noise of the engine is also a subject of controversy, with some users noting that the quality of the aluminium casting and painting is not very good. Hidea It works a little louder, especially at high speeds.
Useful tip: When buying a Hidea engine, check the condition of the lower unit for backlashes. A small backlash in the connection of the leg and lower unit is permissible, but it should not be excessive, as it affects the vibration.
In terms of maintenance suitability Hidea The big advantage is that parts are available, and parts for these engines are made in many factories, and it's much easier and cheaper to find a piston group or carburetor than it is for older Yamaha models, and for many aquatic motorists, that's the decisive argument.
The choice between Hidea and Japanese counterparts is the choice between overpaying for a brand/resource and saving with the willingness to be serviced more often.
Owners’ opinion: pros and cons of exploitation
By analyzing forums and communities of hydraulic motors, we can identify a clear list of advantages and disadvantages that form the overall user experience. Hidea 9.8 for its thrust and ability to easily bring inflatable boats up to 3.6 meters long with two passengers into the glisse.
Among the advantages are most often mentioned:
- 💰 Excellent price-to-power ratio, availability for a wide range of buyers.
- ⚓ Good traction at low revs, which is important for fishing and movement against the current.
- 🛠 Simplicity of design, allowing you to perform minor repairs yourself in garage conditions.
But there are also drawbacks that cannot be ignored: factory assembly quality can float from batch to batch, motors with incompletely tightened bolts or poorly regulated carburetors, and cons include exhaust noise and vibrations that can be transmitted to the transom of a boat.
Many users advise that complete maintenance be carried out immediately after purchase: replace the lubricant in the gearbox, check the tightening of all threaded connections and adjust the carburetor for specific gasoline.
The secret of silence
Some owners install homemade water mufflers or upgrade the exhaust system by adding additional jamming chambers, which reduces noise levels by 20-30%.
Final verdict: Is it worth buying?
In summary, it can be said that Hidea 9.8 outboard motor It's a worthy member of its class, and it's great for amateur use, and it doesn't claim to be a perpetual motion machine, but it can, with proper care, serve a few seasons, and it pays off its price.
This engine will be a great choice for PVC boat owners, amateur fishermen and those who are looking for a second engine for long journeys, if you are willing to pay attention to the quality of the mixture, regularly check the condition of candles and not require the impossible from the technique, Hidea You're not gonna let down.
However, if you want absolute reliability in expeditionary conditions where there is no possibility of repair, or if the budget allows you not to save, you may want to consider options from eminent Japanese brands. Hidea 9.8 It remains one of the leaders in sales, confirming its popularity with real sales and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best fuel for Hidea 9.8?
The manufacturer recommends the use of gasoline with an octane number not lower than AI-92. the use of AI-95 is allowed, but is not mandatory. The main thing is that the fuel is fresh and does not contain impurities of water or alcohol (ethanol-containing fuels can aggressively affect rubber carburettor seals).
How often should you change the oil in the gearbox?
The oil replacement in the gearbox is recommended once a year, at the end of navigation, before the engine is put into winter storage, which will remove possible moisture and wear products, preventing corrosion of gears in winter.
Can this engine be used on a heavy metal boat?
A 9.8 hp power may not be enough to smoothly glid a heavy metal boat (such as the Kazanka or the Salyut) with full load, in which case the engine will run at its limits, which will reduce its life.
Where is the Hidea engine made?
Motors under the Hidea brand are manufactured in China, at the plants of Hangzhou Hidea Power Machinery Co., Ltd. The company specializes in the production of outboard motors and generators, using technologies and licenses obtained from Japanese manufacturers in the past.