High Tech Tender – Suzuki DF20A
For a lot of cruising families, the “little boat” offers almost as much pleasure as the big boat, taking you to shore, around the marina, out for supplies or off to visit friends.
But a cantankerous old outboard can be a real spoiler.
So, we’re delighted to report that there’s a great new high-tech tender solution from Suzuki. It’s their DF20A and it has groundbreaking “little boat” technology. The short shaft manual start version [also available in a 15 horse!] does not require a battery and yet it has computerized electronic fuel injection!
We were anxious to drive one of these and we went to Marsh’s Marine on Georgian Bay where the crew mounted a brand-new Suzuki DF20A on a heavy old fishing boat and said, “Try that”.
The boat was rated for a 40 and yet this 20 hp started easily, was remarkably quiet and yet planed the big boat off with surprising ease.
The EFI worked perfectly with the manual start, firing up with one tug of the cord. Electric start is a 10 lb option for this 97 lb engine. The DF20A and DF15A are quickly becoming big favourites with anglers for the smooth trolling speeds and unique in their class optional power tilt and trim. Suzuki’s Lean Burn technology promises excellent fuel economy for greater range too.
