We pit six of the best 10hp outboard engines on the market against each other for our latest group test
Suzuki DF9.9A outboard
- Price: £2,170
- Top speed: 15.5 knots
- 0-top speed: 16.5 seconds
- Noise (idle/cruise/top): 60/78/91dB(A)
- Weight: 39kg
- Warranty: 5 years
- Contact: www.suzuki-marine.co.uk
Along with the Mariner, the Suzuki has the smallest capacity engine on test at 208cc. It manages to rev slightly higher, with the optimum range being between 5,200rpm to 6,200rpm, where it makes 7.3kW (9.79hp) of power. It is also a twin cylinder engine, and has a connector to a generic fuel tank.
Build quality: 4/5
Suzuki is very focussed on keeping the weight down to the extent that some of its smaller engines feel a little too flimsy.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case with this one, which not only feels well put together but looks very nicely finished too. It comes with a five-year warranty, only being pipped by the Honda’s six-year warranty.
Performance: 4/5
The performance of the Suzuki is bang in the middle of the range, reaching 15.5 knots flat out and taking 16.5 seconds to get there, although we have to confess to inadvertantly testing a long shaft model instead of the standard one, which may have created extra drag.
It certainly had plenty of low-down grunt, enabling the tender to get on the plane without a struggle.
Refinement: 3/5
At idle we measured a modest 60dB, as quiet as the Tohatsu and Mariner engines but not quite on a par with the Honda.
At cruising speed this rose to 78db and 91db at top speed, putting it around the middle of our group for refinement.
At higher speeds there was quite a lot of water spraying into the boat but we put that down to our long shaft error.
Ease of use: 5/5
The gears are engaged by twisting a separate ring on the end of the tiller, with the throttle in the middle and a resistance adjuster a little further back.
The set-up works brilliantly, proving easy to use and creating a basic form of cruise control. Smart-moulded stands show you which side to lay it down on.
Verdict: 4/5
We were impressed with both the quality and the ease of use of the Suzuki, which justifies its premium pricing. However, even with a standard shaft we suspect the Yamaha would still pip its performance.
