Will 2hp Outboard Drive A 10ft Jon Boat?

[Neo]

We will have a mooring on the river next year without launch service, so I need to buy a tender.

I would like opinions as to whether or not my current 2hp /2cycle Yamaha will drive a 10ft Jon boat through 3-4 knots of current with 4 adults aboard.

It's short trip to the mooring, about 100 yards. Many thanks.

[malbert73]

no problem if you don't want to plane. the 2hp should be good enough for hull speed. Now, a 4knot current may challenge you, but short of that I think you'll be fine.

[thomm225]

I use a 5 hp on my 6600 lb Bristol 27 to cross the lower Chesapeake Bay at times. I'm thinking a 2hp would do the job easily with the jon boat.

I was actually thinking of buying a 2hp 4 stroke to get my boat out of the slip then I could stow it immediately. I really don't like outboards hanging off the back of sailboats.

[Neo]

I love our 2hp for the same reason. I can pick it up and stow it with one hand. It's especially light because it is 2 cycle and doesn't have a transmission (no neutral, forward or reverse). Pull the cord and she is off. Spin the motor all the way around for reverse. And fewer things to break.