Advice on Outboard Choice (HP) for Dinghy (Family of 4 - 2 small kids)

[JoeDoc]

Hi everyone,

First post! I've already gained so much from this site researching my many, many "new sailor" questions - and I'm really looking forward to contributing back in the future. This is such a great community.

In the meantime, I am humbly asking for some specific advice from some of the more experienced sailors out there. My family (me, wife and 2 small kids) are first-time boat owners and are now looking to outfit our (new to us) 34' sloop with a dinghy to get us around mooring fields and to/from anchorages - and for some exploration too.

We already have our inflatable - it's a West Marine PHP 310 (Air Floor Inflatable). We were very grateful to get this as a gift from our parents so we couldn't beat the price. We have limited deck space (2003 Beneteau 331) so I do see us inflating and deflating regularly so am hoping this will work well. I do recognize the many benefits of a RIB and we will certainly explore those down the road when we become more experienced cruisers.

I am now stuck trying to decide on how big (or small) of an outboard to buy. The max horsepower (as stated by WM) is 9.9hp but it can supposedly plane 1 person with 4hp.

I would say about 40% of our usage time will be my whole family (total weight before any gear = 480 lbs) and the other 60% it will be me single-handing (230lbs - before gear).

I've had a # of people tell me to go as big as my boat can handle and others that say "start at 50% of max capacity" and then get the best combo of power and physical weight. I've had even others tell me just to get a 2HP given the high-concentration of no-wake zones in my area (Annapolis). I respect all of these viewpoints but as you can see I'm stuck!

I'm currently looking at Merc 4, Merc 6 and Merc 9.9. Not wed to these at all - just what is on my radar at this point.

We aren't going anywhere beyond the Chesapeake for a few years (at least that is the immediate plan) - so we will just be bouncing around the bay - finding as many anchorages as we can this summer (and having a blast!!). Our boat is currently on Back Creek in Annapolis.

Sincere thanks to anyone who has read this far (future posts will shorter, I promise) and I truly appreciate any insights/advice that anyone can share. I am not taking this purchase lightly and really want to make a good decision.

Thanks everyone!! Again, as I become a more experienced sailor/cruiser - I promise to contribute to this forum as best I can.

Joe