Larry,

Will you be sailing on a lake or a larger body of water?  My first Rhodes was a lake boat and came with a 4 HP 2 stroke Mariner.  It started on the 2nd or 3rd pull and was easy to start with the pull cord.  The 2 strokes are lighter and also easy to lift out of the water.  I used it for several years in coastal waters and found it to be adequate power even in 35 K gusts and 4 foot seas.  My second Rhodes came with a 9.9 Yamaha 2 stroke originally with electric start.  The electric start quit after 1 season and the pull cord was so easy to use on the 2 stroke that I never bothered to fix it.  My latest Rhodes is a 2016 refurb and came with the electric engine lift and electric start with a 4 stroke 9.9 HP Yamaha.  The electric winch quit working last season so I finished the year with the outboard down and replaced the winch over winter.  I think with the larger 4 strokes you want electric start as the higher compression makes them harder to start with a cord.  Also they weigh 100 lbs. as opposed to 50-60 lbs for the 2 stroke.  The electric lift spoiled me very quickly.  I also love the quieter ride with the 4 stroke engine.  If I knew how much better it would be I would have upgraded years ago.  I can now participate in the conversation with my guests while motoring!

FYI, I have the shift lever on the throttle shaft as opposed to some which have the shifter attached to the throttle itself.  I find the separate shift lever gives me much better control.

Good luck!


*Thanks and Stay Well,*

*Stephen Staum*
s/v Pinafore
1990 Rhodes 22
Needham, MA

On Sun, May 24, 2026 at 8:27 PM Larry W <62himis at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello Sailors,
>
> Next on my list is to purchase an engine for Serenity.
>
> What are your thoughts on electric start vs. manual start?
>
> With a manual start how easy is it to pull the start cord with the engine
> in the water? I would think the engine would have to be turned 90 degrees
> so the pull cord would be from the port side straight out. I see myself
> hanging over the port side trying to pull the cord straight out from the
> engine.
>
> With electric start I will need to buy a 12 starting battery & battery box
> to locate in the transom and run battery cables to the engine.
>
> What are your comments on the use of the engine tiller control for shifting
> and throttle?
>
> I would like to have a remote control, but right now I want to get the boat
> in the water for the 1st time. I would consider adding a remote control
> over the winter.
>
> Larry Willis
> Serenity
>