2018 Suzuki Marine 4 HP DF4A Outboard Motor

Suzuki's 2018 DF4A is a 4 hp, single-cylinder four-stroke built for light duty, running a carburetor instead of electronic injection and starting on a manual pull cord. One person can lift and mount its 55 pounds without help.

Before you order

Measure for a 15-inch transom, the height this motor is sized around. It suits small jon boats, dinghies and auxiliary duty on a sailboat, where 4 hp covers the need without adding real weight at the stern.

Starting and running

A hand-operated choke eases cold starts, steering lives on the tiller handle, and a built-in alternator keeps basic electronics running even without an electric starter fitted. This small single-cylinder engine pulls harder at low rpm than its size would suggest, which is noticeable the moment you open the throttle from idle, and trim adjusts across five tilt pin positions.

Suzuki's three-year warranty rides along with the motor, its 3.1-gallon tank, matching fuel line, owner's manual, propeller and tool kit.

Is there an electric-start version of this motor? No, this one is manual pull-cord start only.

What size transom should I plan for? 15 inches.

Is a carbureted engine harder to maintain than an EFI model? It needs ordinary small-engine fuel care, such as running it dry or using fresh fuel between long storage periods, but has no injection electronics to worry about.