When you're shopping for boats and personal watercraft, the first fork in the road is usually scale. Are you looking for an outboard motor to power a dinghy or small fishing boat you already own? Or do you want an entire runabout package that's ready for the ramp? The two solutions occupy opposite ends of the price scale, and the right choice depends on which boat life you already have.
Quick verdict
If your current boat is a small boat, the 3.5HP outboard is the obvious match. If you're after a complete classic runabout, the 1985 Sunrunner is the more substantial buy. Neither is a good substitute for the other.
At a glance
| Consideration | 3.5HP Outboard Motor | 1985 Double Haul Sunrunner |
| Price | $157.77 | $4,000.00 |
| Condition | New | Used |
| What you get | Outboard motor with starter, funnel, and mixing bottle | Fiberglass bowrider with bimini/cockpit cover and roller trailer |
| Best for | Dinghies and small fishing boats | Lakes and coastal trips in a classic runabout |
Where each product wins
- The 3.5HP outboard is the small-boat pick: it's a self-contained motor designed to push a dinghy or small fishing boat, with the essentials in the package.
- The 1985 Sunrunner is the complete experience: a full bowrider, so you're buying a boat rather than a single component.
Product notes
3.5HP 2 Stroke Gas Outboard Motor
The 3.5HP 2 Stroke Gas Outboard Motor is an entry point for small-boat owners. At $157.77, it gives a dinghy or small fishing boat a practical source of power without a full boat purchase. A concrete reason to choose it is the included accessories: the package comes with a starter and a fuel-oil mixing bottle, so you're equipped to mix the 35:1 fuel and pull-start the motor. The trade-off is scope. This is not a boat; it's a motor for one, and its spec sheet lists a 12 km/h speed with four people, indicating a modest, small-watercraft pace. Plan for the hands-on routine of a 2-stroke: premixing fuel and oil and pull-starting each time.
1985 Double Haul Sunrunner Boat
The 1985 Double Haul Sunrunner Boat is a very different purchase: a complete used fiberglass bowrider listed at $4,000. The package includes a roller trailer with a spare tire mounted on the tongue and a white canvas bimini/cockpit cover, meaning you can tow to the launch and skip a lot of accessory shopping. A concrete reason to choose it is the all-in-one nature-the boat, cover, and trailer come together, with Washington state bow numbers already in place. The limitation is age and footprint. As a 1985 used boat sold by a private seller, it'll demand the normal care of a decades-old fiberglass runabout, plus you need a tow vehicle and storage space for both boat and trailer. This is not a small, stowable option; it's the centerpiece of your summer water setup.
Final choice by use case
Choose the 3.5HP outboard if you already have a small boat and want an outboard motor to power it. Choose the 1985 Sunrunner if you want an entire runabout package for weekend trips and are ready for the storage and towing duties.
