What would you choose/outboard ?

[Chris Cram]

To All,

Hey I am getting ready to purchase an outboard motor for my inflatable boat. It is 8'9" and rated for 10hp (with an inflatable keel). Idealy I think I want a 4 or 5 hp 4 stroke motor. I will be storing it on the pushpit--putting it there without the benefit of a motor lift. Am I crazy?!?! I am no weakling but is 60-7- lbs to much to be lifting up and down from the dinghy? Does anyone have the 2hp Honda? what are your thoughts on preformance of this motor? and What do all of you folks do with your tender motors?

Chris Cram
CD 30 C
Hesperus



cccobx@prodigy.net

[M. R. Bober]

Chris,
I LOVE my 2HP Honda. I use it to push a Bauer 10 (hard dink). It's very quiet and has been very reliable. I don't know if it has the oomph to push an inflatable. I have considered the purchase of an inflatable, but really don't want to buy another (more powerful and heavier) outboard. Also lifting the Honda from dink back to RESPITE's rail is enough of a workout.

I'd be interested in what you learn along the way.
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

[Larry Mace]

Chris,
I have a 2hp honda I use on a 9 foot avon roll up. I had a 87 honda 2hp that I replaced last fall with the new model that has the new throttle/clutch. You are not going to waterski with it but it is more than adequate to get you around. I have used it in 30 knots headwind with windchop with no problem other than getting soaked. The weight advantage makes it worthwhile.
Larry
cd 33 dolce

To All,

Hey I am getting ready to purchase an outboard motor for my inflatable boat. It is 8'9" and rated for 10hp (with an inflatable keel). Idealy I think I want a 4 or 5 hp 4 stroke motor. I will be storing it on the pushpit--putting it there without the benefit of a motor lift. Am I crazy?!?! I am no weakling but is 60-7- lbs to much to be lifting up and down from the dinghy? Does anyone have the 2hp Honda? what are your thoughts on preformance of this motor? and What do all of you folks do with your tender motors?

Chris Cram
CD 30 C
Hesperus

lmace@gt.com

[Richard Feffer]

Chris,

I have an Evinrude 2 1//2 hp and an Evinrude 8 hp. The small one is adequate for just getting ashore or putting around an anchorage. The advantage is the weight. No problem tossing it into the dink and back aboard again. The 8 is definately the one to use if you need to get somewhere, or if you're carring loads of gear. Gets the inflatable up on plane and then hang on! Weight is certainly a problem. It's only 57 pounds, but getting it off the transom of the dink without dropping it overboard is a hassle. I've just purchased a lifting device from Ocean Marine. Haven't installed it yet, but it appears to be a quality product and should do the job. Half the price of Forespar!
Richard Feffer
s/v "Adamarie"
CD30MKII



RichFef@Prodigy.net

[Jerry Axler]

Chris,

I have an Evinrude 2 1//2 hp and an Evinrude 8 hp. The small one is adequate for just getting ashore or putting around an anchorage. The advantage is the weight. No problem tossing it into the dink and back aboard again. The 8 is definately the one to use if you need to get somewhere, or if you're carring loads of gear. Gets the inflatable up on plane and then hang on! Weight is certainly a problem. It's only 57 pounds, but getting it off the transom of the dink without dropping it overboard is a hassle. I've just purchased a lifting device from Ocean Marine. Haven't installed it yet, but it appears to be a quality product and should do the job. Half the price of Forespar!
Richard Feffer
s/v "Adamarie"
CD30MKII

I'm a big guy with a 36CD, but I would consider weight before horsepower. Manuevering a weight while balancing in a bouncy dinghy is difficult and frustrating. I have a Tohatsu 2.5 for my 8.5' dink and it gets me to shore with ease and comfort. If you need to plane for speed and great distance, than a larger outboard that is more or less permanently attached to the dink is in order. Experience is a tough teacher, but I have learned to attach the motor to the boat via a lanyard while transferring the motor to the dink and vice versa, since it tends to sink like a rock when dropped.



cutter36@erols.com