Most manageable size outboard motor for dinghy

[epiic]

I need to order an outboard motor today for my new Zodiac Cadet 310 Rib.

I would like a 8-9.9hp 4-stoke but I can't imagine how I am going to lift it.

Because of this, I am forced to purchase a smaller motor 6hp 4-stoke (57lb).

The 6hp would be the maximum I could lift in/out of the dinghy and onto the transom mount.

Any tips to manage a larger outboard without having to purchase a crane would be greatly appreciated.

[natraps116]

Buy a 20hp 2 stroke at 110 lbs and don't look back. Lol. Rig a crane with the boom to remove. You can never go too fast on your rib lol

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[rwidman]

I don't know if you can buy a two stroke outboard in Canada but in the USA, the EPA has seen to it that we cannot. A two stroke is usually lighter for a given HP.


If you can lift a 57 lb outboard from your dinghy to your boat while in choppy seas, you are a better man than I am. I have a 30 lb Honda and it's sometimes a struggle for me.

[mikereed100]

No shame in going small. While the conventional wisdom on the internet is that you need to be able to plane 4 adults and a large dog at 20 knots, the reality is that many, if not most, people actually cruising are getting by with much less. We have a Honda 2.3 hp that weighs about 30 lbs on our 12' hard dinghy that will move it along at 4 knots with a range of about 8 miles on a tank of gas. I have had high-powered planing dinghies in the past and there are a lot of times when I wish I had one now, but there are tradeoffs, as you have discovered.

[epiic]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I don't know if you can buy a two stroke outboard in Canada but in the USA, the EPA has seen to it that we cannot. A two stroke is usually lighter for a given HP.


If you can lift a 57 lb outboard from your dinghy to your boat while in choppy seas, you are a better man than I am. I have a 30 lb Honda and it's sometimes a struggle for me.

I am purchasing this motor in the US so 2-stroke is out.

I never took into consideration of loading the motor in choppy conditions. I guess either way I need a crane.

[StuM]

Don't know what boat you have and whether you can have a strong point such as the boom above the transom mount. But a "handy billy" is a great tool to have for things like lifting /lowering motors as well as many other uses. Every boat should have one.

Handy Billy a traditional rope and sheave rig.

Mine is set up with snap shackles and dyneema loops.

[Sailuke]

Originally Posted by epiic

I am purchasing this motor in the US so 2-stroke is out.

I never took into consideration of loading the motor in choppy conditions. I guess either way I need a crane.

Wait why cant you buy a two stroke in the USA? I own two two-stroke yamahas, both purchased in the US in the past 5 years.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Sailuke

Wait why cant you buy a two stroke in the USA? I own two two-stroke yamahas, both purchased in the US in the past 5 years.

I suspect you bought them used?

[Sandero]

You need the demountable Garhauer lifting crane. It's not expensive. You might be able to use a halyard. The motor will be close to 100#...

[epiic]

Thanks guys.

I ended up ordering a Mercury 9.9 HP 4-Stroke with Forespar Nova Lift from defender.

[Vasco]

Get a 2 stroke 15 hp Yamaha in Nassau.

[epiic]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Get a 2 stroke 15 hp Yamaha in Nassau.

I totally agree. The Yamaha enduro motors are the ultimate outboard for cruisers.

I just can't wait that long to live without a motor.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by epiic

I totally agree. The Yamaha enduro motors are the ultimate outboard for cruisers.

I just can't wait that long to live without a motor.

Get a small 2 hp motor until you can get to the Bahamas. You can always sell the smaller motor later or keep it as a spare. Quite a few boats with dogs have a small motor they can easily throw on the dink to take the dog ashore while travelling. They put the big motor on once they get to the Bahamas.

[thinwater]

Does the boat have davits?

If yes, leave it on the dinghy.

If no, I can't imagine why you would buy a RIB. Get a sport boat and a 3.5 hp.

There is no good reason to fight with a dinghy. If I didn't have davits I would get a kayak. It's not like I'm getting paid to do manual labor!

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Sailuke

Wait why cant you buy a two stroke in the USA? I own two two-stroke yamahas, both purchased in the US in the past 5 years.

Years ago, congress created the EPA with dictatorial powers so the individual congressmen wouldn't be held accountable for unpopular laws and regulations.

The EPA created emission regulations that two stroke outboards cannot meet without computer controls. These are impractical for small outboards so the EPA in effect, outlawed small two stroke engines.

The emission standards haven't (yet) been applied to outboards already sold and in use and they haven't (yet) been applied to selling or purchasing used two stroke outboards.

There are some local laws banning them outright on certain lakes and waterways.

If you purchased used two stroke engines, you can still use them in most parts of the USA (for now).