I am looking for an outboard that will make my 9' roll up avon plane. The manufacture limits the hp to 10 so I am limited to a 10hp or an 8hp. Does anyone have any experience with either and also the pros and cons of 2 stroke v. 4.
thanks
outboards for inflatables
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Kevin L.
Re: outboards for inflatables
Larry,
I have an Achilles inflatable-floor dingy, 9'-6" long. I use an 8hp Nissan 2-stoke. It will plane easily with 2 adults aboard, but not with 3. I would expect you to see similar results. I choose a 2-stroke (even though they are now illegal in CA.) because they are significantly lighter than 4-strokes, and are mechanically simpler (I have a lot of 2-stroke experience from my days with dirt bikes).
Based on my experience, you might want to consider the following. Two-strokes like to run above half throttle, so if you go that way with a motor large enough to plane, be prepared to either keep moving, or foul plugs. Keep in mind that if the water isn't fairly smooth, you will get beaten up pretty quick if you don't slow down. You might want to consider a smaller 2-stroke, maybe 5hp, and forget about planing, but be able to put along over rougher water without fouling plugs. Not to mention the fact that a 5hp 2-stroke probably only weighs about 50lbs. (My 8 weights about 75lbs, an 8hp 4-stroke probably weights about 100lbs.)
Based on my experience, a 10hp anything is probably too much. Too much power and too much weight. But it also depends on how protected the waters are, and how much distance you need to cover.
My opinion, for what it's worth.
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
San Francisco
lemans@gte.net
I have an Achilles inflatable-floor dingy, 9'-6" long. I use an 8hp Nissan 2-stoke. It will plane easily with 2 adults aboard, but not with 3. I would expect you to see similar results. I choose a 2-stroke (even though they are now illegal in CA.) because they are significantly lighter than 4-strokes, and are mechanically simpler (I have a lot of 2-stroke experience from my days with dirt bikes).
Based on my experience, you might want to consider the following. Two-strokes like to run above half throttle, so if you go that way with a motor large enough to plane, be prepared to either keep moving, or foul plugs. Keep in mind that if the water isn't fairly smooth, you will get beaten up pretty quick if you don't slow down. You might want to consider a smaller 2-stroke, maybe 5hp, and forget about planing, but be able to put along over rougher water without fouling plugs. Not to mention the fact that a 5hp 2-stroke probably only weighs about 50lbs. (My 8 weights about 75lbs, an 8hp 4-stroke probably weights about 100lbs.)
Based on my experience, a 10hp anything is probably too much. Too much power and too much weight. But it also depends on how protected the waters are, and how much distance you need to cover.
My opinion, for what it's worth.
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
San Francisco
larry m wrote: I am looking for an outboard that will make my 9' roll up avon plane. The manufacture limits the hp to 10 so I am limited to a 10hp or an 8hp. Does anyone have any experience with either and also the pros and cons of 2 stroke v. 4.
thanks
lemans@gte.net