Reducing Dinghy Weight

[Dockhead]

I have an Avon 360 rib with a 25 horsepower remote-steered Mariner two stroke.

I like the remote steering, but the horsepower is overkill, as 95% of my dinghy use is puttering around harbors and rivers with speed limits. The occasional blast in open water, crossing the Solent, etc., is usually solo or two up, and so I don't need 25 hp even for that.

I cracked a davit last year and in general would like to reduce the loads and masses involved. A remote steered motor has to stay on the dink in the davits, so weight is even more important.

So I think about selling the excellent but elderly Mariner and buying a 15 hp Yamaha two stroke, which weighs 36 kilos versus 50 for the Mariner.

What do you guys think? I would consider even going to 10 hp, but they seem to weigh the same as 15 hp - apparently same block.

I realize that going to regular tiller steering would reduce weight even mire, and allow me to take the motor off, but I tank I am rather too attached to the wheel steering, which really makes dinghy trips a pleasure.

Another question is electric starting - I think I could live without this, which would save the mass of the batt; OTOH I could buy one of those very light LifePO batts sold for motorcycles and get almost the same weight.

Grateful for any tips.