A Guide to Outboard Engines

Outboard engines have been used on small boats for decades and an outboard engine is a very good and cost effective way of powering a boat. Inboard boat engines are very large and heavy, whereas outboard engines are small and light which means they are perfect for dinghies and other small boats. An outboard engine also has the advantage of being removable, meaning that they can easily be switched between boats and be taken off for maintenance or replacing outboard parts. Read on to find out more about outboard engines.

Outboard Engines Info

• Outboard engines come in a number of sizes and power outputs ranging from small units suitable for dinghies and other small watercraft to very large models that are used on offshore powerboats for high performance.



• The most common outboard engines for sale are the smaller variety which. These outboard engines provide the correct amount of power for small boats. An outboard engine like this is also light which means that it is easily moveable and won’t affect the handling of the craft too much. A small outboard engine such as the Honda BF 2.3HP fits this description perfectly and is suitable for a wide range of boats. This outboard engine for sale is also extremely well priced.

• An outboard engine is also a big advantage over other boat engines in that the outboard engine is mounted on a point that swivels meaning it also serves as the rudder, negating the need for more complex control systems.

• Outboard engines can come in a number of configurations including 2, 3, or even 8 cylinder engine blocks that provide huge amounts of power. Obviously, larger outboard engines become much harder to move both while sailing and between boats. The large majority of outboard engines for sale on Mailspeed Marine are four stroke, single cylinder models.

• An outboard engine also has advantages over inboard boat engines as they are much easier to maintain and to replace outboard parts. Because most of an outboard engine is above the water level, outboard engines are very easy to access to repair. Outboard engines can also be lifted out of the water when not in use to prevent the build up of seaweed and other growth on the propeller, something which is not possible with inboard boat engines. An outboard engine such as the Suzuki DF5 standard shaft is a good all round outboard engine.



• It is also possible to get propeller-less outboard engines that are known as pump jets and they take in, and then expel the water to produce thrust. These outboard engines are fairly rare but are excellent for use in shallow water where a propeller outboard engine could become tangled.

• Electric outboard engines are also available. These boat engines, such as the Torqeedo Base Travel 401 are fairly quiet and are very good as a backup outboard engine, on waterways where petrol boat engines are not allowed, or on small boats that are used for fishing.


• Outboard parts such as engine covers or outboard engine carry bags are very good additions to protect your outboard engine.

Top 5 Inflatable Boats

Top 5 Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats can be used for a whole range of reasons, and each type has its strength depending on individual needs. Certain floors will be better suited for rough riding, whilst others are better in calmer conditions. Storage and assembly can differ too, as well as the need for outboards. See the following Top 5 guide to inflatable boats if you are considering buying boats for sale.


1. Waveline WavEco 2.3M Round Tail Dinghy
This is a light boat that is simple to inflate and easy to store in the valise bag. It is also one of the most affordable inflatable boats available.





2. Waveline 2.7M Slatted Floor Dinghy
All Wavelines now include a new integrated sliding seat for maximum comfort and efficiency when rowing. These inflatables use aluminium slats and an easy folding system that allows you to store it away in a locker without having to remove the floor. Its polyester tubes mean it is a hard-wearing inflatable boat.
• Max Hp: 8
• Capacity: 3 + 1 child
• Folded dimensions: 117 x 65 x 35cm



3. Honda 4.0M Aluminium Floor Dinghy
This inflatable boat uses an aluminium deck and large buoyancy tubes to ensure a smooth and strong cruise. Number-coded floor slats make assembly easy, with smaller models storing away in one bag for extra portability. Other sizes of this model are available too.
• Length: 400
• Weight: 86Kg
• Max Hp: 30Hp
• Capacity: 7







4. Honda 3.8M Air V Floor Dinghy
These boats for sale are some of the best inflatable boats on the market. The aim of this Honda is to be light, fast and comfortable making sure that rough seas can be travelled on as smoothly as possible. Other sizes are available.
• Length: 376
• Weight: 48kg
• Max Hp: 20
• Capacity: 5 + 1 child



5. Honda 2.5m slatted floor dinghy
Light and compact, these dinghy boats are great for cruising, fishing, or relaxing. Folding and storage can be done quickly by one person. Excellent flotation and stability are provided by the biggest buoyancy tube diameter available on the market.
• Length: 250
• Weight: 34Kg
• Max Hp: 6Hp
• Passenger Capacity: 3

A Guide to Henri Lloyd Clothing

Henri Lloyd Ocean Explorer Jacket - £379.99





This Henri Lloyd jacket is part of the Gore-Tex Explorer range and is made from durable waterproof and windproof material. This item of Henri Lloyd clothing is a must have because it also includes the Henri Lloyd jackets unique Optivision Hood system. This hood system is unique to the Henri Lloyd jacket and gives the wearer a wider peripheral vision without the loss of protection to the face. This Henri Lloyd jacket allows you to feel completely protected while being able to live an adventure to the full. Other features of this Henri Lloyd jacket include:

• Ocean hood pod with an adjustable storm guard.
• Optivision hood system for excellent vision when racing and cruising.
• Hi-vis ocean hood with twin volume adjusters.
• One handed shockcord aperture adjusters and owl vision.
• Hand warmer pockets.
• Fast draining lower cargo pockets.
• Jacket is contoured to reduce windage.
• Pre moulded reflective patches at cuff, shoulder, storm flap and hood.
• Knife pocket at sleeve.


Henri Lloyd Ocean Extreme Boots - £189.99



• The Henri Lloyd Ocean Extreme Boot has an enhanced fitted shaft with calf gusset.
• Moulded rubber outsole.
• Shock absorbing midsole.
• The outsole has undergone rigorous testing to prove it has the highest standards of slip resistance.
• Temperature of your feet is easy to regulate using the adaptive comfort system which changes in response to the needs of your body.
• There is a TP ocean waterproof membrane which is breathable and works with a high wicking lining to transport perspiration outside.
• The uppers of the Henri Lloyd boots are made from waterproof leathers.
• Moulded rubber outsole has channels which disperse water.
• The outsoles are also siped for maximum multi-directional grip on the boat deck.

Henri Lloyd Breeze Performance Jacket- £81.99



This Henri Lloyd jacket is excellent value for money and is one of the many jackets in their Breeze range. These Henri Lloyd jackets are unlined and lightweight but are 100% wind and waterproof. Because these Henri Lloyd jackets are so light they are also breathable for your comfort.


Henri Lloyd Wight 2 Eye Deck Shoe - £65.99




Henri Lloyd shoes are also fantastic and these deck shoes are no exception. The Henri Lloyd Wight deck shoes are lightweight, breathable and water resistant; all qualities you would want in boat shoes. They are hand sewn 2 eye construction and have rustproof eyelets. The laces are also non rotting and salt resistant. The outsoles on these Henri Lloyd deck shoes are slip resistant and water dispersing.

View our full range of Henri Lloyd clothing including some great special offers here

Mailspeed Marine uses Facebook to save customers money

Mailspeed Marine uses Facebook to save customers money

Mailspeed Marine has launched a Facebook fan page to allow customers to talk about boats, chandlery and all things marine, plus get some exclusive discounts and offers.

Now there’s an even better reason to ‘like’ Mailspeed Marine – each week we’ll send round exclusive discount codes to our Facebook fans that no one else will get.

One example, which ran last week for fans, was the opportunity for them to get £10 off when they spent over £100.

As well as discounts, Mailspeed Marine will also be sending out updates on what’s new on our site, notifying fans when a new demonstration video has been uploaded, plus general sailing news we think you might like to hear about. So there’s no time to lose, join today.

And hot off the press is the news that Mailspeed Marine has now added ‘Like’ buttons to all of its product pages. This means if you find a product you like the look of or have bought it and think it’s great, then you can share this with all your Facebook friends.

Mailspeedmarine.com set out to break the mould earlier this year by offering free shipping on orders from £50 and free returns on all clothing and footwear as standard.

Mailspeedmarine.com has thousands of marine products for sale online and ships to mail order customers across the globe.

Choosing the Best Life Jacket for you

Choosing the Best Life Jacketfor you

Choosing the right life jacket for the type of sailing you are doing is important. There are many brands you can choose from including Crewsaver, Spinlock, Ocean Safety & Baltic. You must take the necessary safety precautions so that if you end up in the water you can stay afloat however close to rescue you might be. Even if you are a very strong swimmer you need to wear a life jacket just in case. This article will outline the standard types of lifejackets and which ones are best for which boating activities.

Types of Life Jacket

Offshore Life Jacket 275 Newton + – this life jacket is best for use in open or rough water away from the shoreline. This jacket will keep you safe for a long period of time until rescue reaches you. These lifejackets have lots of benefits including keeping you afloat the best, they are a highly visible colour and if you are unconscious then the jacket should keep you face up so you don’t drown. The only real disadvantage of this life jacket is that it is quite bulky.

Inshore/Coastal Lifejacket 150 Newton – 275 Newton – this type of life jacket is good for inland water where the conditions are calm and the rescue should be fast. These life jackets only turn some people face up in the water when unconscious so it is not as good as the offshore jacket if you have been injured. The near-shore buoyant vest is however more comfortable to wear and less bulky than the offshore jacket.

Flotation/Buoyancy Aid – this is very good for conscious users on inland water where they can be rescued quickly. Buoyancy aids are available in many styles like vests and floatation coats. These are easily the most comfortable to wear for long periods of time and are popular with dinghy sailors and canoeists. This is not good enough when used in the sea, if rough water occurs then the wearers face will become submerged.

Gill Cowes Week Promotion

Here at Mailspeed Marine we have teamed up with our friends at technical clothing specialits and official clothing sponsor of Cowes week, Gill, to bring you a great offer on all Gill products.

It's a simple idea, if you spend £100 or more on Gill products we will add this Gill 10 Litre Cylinder dry bag worth £15 absolutely FREE! Great for keeping your kit in whilst onboard, it's handy shape makes it ideal for stuffing out of the way on a race boat too!




This offer is running from the 1st of July until the Last day of Cowes Week Saturday the 7th of August and strictly while stocks last, so make the most of this offer while you can. Just enter "Free dry bag please" in the special instructions box at the checkout to claim your free bag (providing you have purchased the required amount of Gill products).

Take a look at our great range of Gill products including Offshore, Coastal, Race Wear and luggage or why not take a look at the full range here