Does anyone want to give some advice on outboards for inflatables? Our Avon RollAway is rated for 20 HP, but I don't want that much weight. I am thinking about 15 HP 4-stroke Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrudes. Recommendations will be much appreciated and probably not held against you.
Thanks,
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC
ken-shelley.coit@worldnet.att.net
Outboards for Inflatables
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Bob Pence
Re: Outboards for Inflatables
Ken, It all depends on where you will be using it. In Georgetown Exumas it is not uncommon to see motors up to 25HP and 10 HP is probably the most common. The great distance and the winds make it a long and rough dinghy ride with a small motor. For the ICW, keys, and the Chesapeake, a 5 hP is fine. Remember, the higher the HP the heavier the motor to lift off and on. Most of us would need a davit to lift it. Hope everything is going well. We just about have the boat ready to sail. Bottom is being painted now. We go to Costa Rica March 16 to April 1 then April 7 plan to sail south to visit friends in Belhaven. June 25, north to Nova Scotia BobKen Coit wrote: Does anyone want to give some advice on outboards for inflatables? Our Avon RollAway is rated for 20 HP, but I don't want that much weight. I am thinking about 15 HP 4-stroke Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrudes. Recommendations will be much appreciated and probably not held against you.
Thanks,
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC
sixpence@dmv.com
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Ken Coit
Re: Outboards for Inflatables
Bob,
Thanks for the thoughts. Practical Sailor likes Suzuki, the Avon is rated for 20 HP. The 15 HP 4-stroke is the same block and weights the same as the 9.9 HP for a couple hundred dollars more and the price is the best a couple of us have found, even for a 9.9, so we are buying two. In the not-too-distant future, if anyone needs to talk to someone with firsthand experience with them, just send an email.
We are in the process of changing ISPs. Time Warner is offering RoadRunner service here and it is fast! I can get rid of my second line and my other ISP and break even. Speed is guaranteed 10X better upstream and 30X downstream relative to what I was able to get from that other ISP.
It sounds as if you are staying busy. If I would just retire, I could be busy with fun trips too.
Take care,
Ken
parfait@nc.rr.com
Thanks for the thoughts. Practical Sailor likes Suzuki, the Avon is rated for 20 HP. The 15 HP 4-stroke is the same block and weights the same as the 9.9 HP for a couple hundred dollars more and the price is the best a couple of us have found, even for a 9.9, so we are buying two. In the not-too-distant future, if anyone needs to talk to someone with firsthand experience with them, just send an email.
We are in the process of changing ISPs. Time Warner is offering RoadRunner service here and it is fast! I can get rid of my second line and my other ISP and break even. Speed is guaranteed 10X better upstream and 30X downstream relative to what I was able to get from that other ISP.
It sounds as if you are staying busy. If I would just retire, I could be busy with fun trips too.
Take care,
Ken
Bob Pence wrote:Ken, It all depends on where you will be using it. In Georgetown Exumas it is not uncommon to see motors up to 25HP and 10 HP is probably the most common. The great distance and the winds make it a long and rough dinghy ride with a small motor. For the ICW, keys, and the Chesapeake, a 5 hP is fine. Remember, the higher the HP the heavier the motor to lift off and on. Most of us would need a davit to lift it. Hope everything is going well. We just about have the boat ready to sail. Bottom is being painted now. We go to Costa Rica March 16 to April 1 then April 7 plan to sail south to visit friends in Belhaven. June 25, north to Nova Scotia BobKen Coit wrote: Does anyone want to give some advice on outboards for inflatables? Our Avon RollAway is rated for 20 HP, but I don't want that much weight. I am thinking about 15 HP 4-stroke Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrudes. Recommendations will be much appreciated and probably not held against you.
Thanks,
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC
parfait@nc.rr.com
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Steve Alarcon
Re: Outboards for Inflatables
Hey Ken,
I think the determining factor is the size and rating of the inflatable. There should be a USCG placard on the transom that lists the maximum load and hp for the boat. If it is the standard (c.) 9' inflatable, I'd suggest that 8 hp is more than sufficient, and that 5 hp is much easier off the pushpit as Bob suggests. Also, a 5 hp saves the cost and visual distraction of the engine lift. It all depends how fast ya' need to get there!
One other thought, in some states if you go over 9.9 hp you have to pay some sort of registration fee.
Regards,
Steve Alarcon
CD30 Tememrity
Seattle
alarcon3@prodigy.net
I think the determining factor is the size and rating of the inflatable. There should be a USCG placard on the transom that lists the maximum load and hp for the boat. If it is the standard (c.) 9' inflatable, I'd suggest that 8 hp is more than sufficient, and that 5 hp is much easier off the pushpit as Bob suggests. Also, a 5 hp saves the cost and visual distraction of the engine lift. It all depends how fast ya' need to get there!
One other thought, in some states if you go over 9.9 hp you have to pay some sort of registration fee.
Regards,
Steve Alarcon
CD30 Tememrity
Seattle
alarcon3@prodigy.net
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Catherine Monaghan
Re: An alternative
Ken,
We use an electric trolling motor to propel our Apex rollup inflatable.
We selected an electric trolling motor for several reasons:
1) don't have to carry gasoline onbard (this was the number "1" reason)
2) easy to store (we keep it in the cockpit lazerette when not in use)
3) lightweight (but the battery is heavy -- it's a gel battery)
4) quiet
5) battery can be added to the boat's battery bank for recharging and act as a backup battery
6) easy to setup and use
Ours provides 36 lbs of thrust but there are more powerful models. It's not fast but it provides a very quiet, comfortable ride ashore for us and our dog.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... lization's Home Page</a>
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
We use an electric trolling motor to propel our Apex rollup inflatable.
We selected an electric trolling motor for several reasons:
1) don't have to carry gasoline onbard (this was the number "1" reason)
2) easy to store (we keep it in the cockpit lazerette when not in use)
3) lightweight (but the battery is heavy -- it's a gel battery)
4) quiet
5) battery can be added to the boat's battery bank for recharging and act as a backup battery
6) easy to setup and use
Ours provides 36 lbs of thrust but there are more powerful models. It's not fast but it provides a very quiet, comfortable ride ashore for us and our dog.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... lization's Home Page</a>
Ken Coit wrote: Does anyone want to give some advice on outboards for inflatables? Our Avon RollAway is rated for 20 HP, but I don't want that much weight. I am thinking about 15 HP 4-stroke Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrudes. Recommendations will be much appreciated and probably not held against you.
Thanks,
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
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Ken Coit
Re: An alternative
Catherine,
Thanks for the idea. I do like the quiet, no gasoline, and lightweight characteristics.
However, I rejected the idea on the basis of speed and range. Instead, we will have a 100# outboard, 25# of gasoline (which we don't really want on board), a hoist (already installed), etc. I guess I really want to have the opportunity to go many miles fast. Our primary weekend trip will be out to Pt. Lookout bight, where a little power is all that is needed; a trolling motor would be fine. The big engine and shallow draft inflatable will be good for reaching areas that are not accessible with a 5 ft. draft. Lakes come to mind, but the sounds also have a lot of shallow water, especially just inside some of the barrier islands where accessibility is otherwise very limited. There are some great beaches on the barrier islands that are mostly untouched. Having to row back from one, would not be fun.
Maybe when the hoist gets too hard to use, and the gasoline too much trouble, we will become more practical in our approach. Meanwhile, we are going to give the heavy outboard a try. I have SeaGull in reserve, but it is so noisy and environmentally unfriendly I really don't want to deal with it.
Ken
ken-shelley.coit@worldnet.att.net
Thanks for the idea. I do like the quiet, no gasoline, and lightweight characteristics.
However, I rejected the idea on the basis of speed and range. Instead, we will have a 100# outboard, 25# of gasoline (which we don't really want on board), a hoist (already installed), etc. I guess I really want to have the opportunity to go many miles fast. Our primary weekend trip will be out to Pt. Lookout bight, where a little power is all that is needed; a trolling motor would be fine. The big engine and shallow draft inflatable will be good for reaching areas that are not accessible with a 5 ft. draft. Lakes come to mind, but the sounds also have a lot of shallow water, especially just inside some of the barrier islands where accessibility is otherwise very limited. There are some great beaches on the barrier islands that are mostly untouched. Having to row back from one, would not be fun.
Maybe when the hoist gets too hard to use, and the gasoline too much trouble, we will become more practical in our approach. Meanwhile, we are going to give the heavy outboard a try. I have SeaGull in reserve, but it is so noisy and environmentally unfriendly I really don't want to deal with it.
Ken
Catherine Monaghan wrote: Ken,
We use an electric trolling motor to propel our Apex rollup inflatable.
We selected an electric trolling motor for several reasons:
1) don't have to carry gasoline onbard (this was the number "1" reason)
2) easy to store (we keep it in the cockpit lazerette when not in use)
3) lightweight (but the battery is heavy -- it's a gel battery)
4) quiet
5) battery can be added to the boat's battery bank for recharging and act as a backup battery
6) easy to setup and use
Ours provides 36 lbs of thrust but there are more powerful models. It's not fast but it provides a very quiet, comfortable ride ashore for us and our dog.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... lization's Home Page</a>
Ken Coit wrote: Does anyone want to give some advice on outboards for inflatables? Our Avon RollAway is rated for 20 HP, but I don't want that much weight. I am thinking about 15 HP 4-stroke Yamaha, Suzuki and Evinrudes. Recommendations will be much appreciated and probably not held against you.
Thanks,
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
CD-36 #84
Raleigh, NC
ken-shelley.coit@worldnet.att.net