what size outboard for dinghy?

[donradcliffe]

If you sail in the lands of anal law enforcement, buy the max hp motor rated for your dinghy, then buy the parts that soup it up. In the case of the Tohatsu 2-stroke, the difference between the 10hp and the 15hp is a throttle cam that opens the throttle all the way.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

If you sail in the lands of anal law enforcement, buy the max hp motor rated for your dinghy, then buy the parts that soup it up. In the case of the Tohatsu 2-stroke, the difference between the 10hp and the 15hp is a throttle cam that opens the throttle all the way.

or just modify the "15hp" to read "9.9 hp" on the cowling.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Didn't the OP mention 400 pounds worth of humans? My 18hp is 100 pounds and the dink is 100 pounds...
Oh, of course, you have included the beer to bring it up to 1,000...

You're falling down on the beer drinking if only 1,000lbs. I know you ment kilos not pounds' I love your wry humor and your sight posts of your travels with the pic. Your and Helen's.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

or just modify the "15hp" to read "9.9 hp" on the cowling.

This is the way to go if one is worried about super-anal law enforcement (I would be curious to know if there is any recorded case of someone getting a ticket for an outboard larger than what is posted on the dinghy plate - I think it is a lot of theoretical navel-gazing). The manufacturers sell replacement stickers cheap. We know lots of people who have done just what you suggest for the purposes of thwarting thievery, not law enforcement. Even easier - just pull off the "15hp" part of the sticker and make them guess and prove.

The other thing to do is to simply remove the plate on the dinghy or smudge off the rating. Of course, I'll bet all those hyper-attentive law enforcement people will have a big book of all dinghy types and models and will find you out if you did this…

I wonder if these law enforcement sticklers are also pulling people over and weighing them and the dinghy to make sure all is within the weight limit ratings?

Buying a lower-powered outboard and then modifying it with parts is plain silly. For most, it costs a ton more than just buying the larger outboard to begin with, and your warranty is voided. For an example, our Suzuki 20hp costs just $200 more than the 15hp - but the parts required to change between the two are $900.

Mark

[TMT2]

We run a 25hp Yamaha 4-Stroke on a 10ft Avon RIB (hard fiberglass bottom) with a center console, bench seat, battery and a 10 gal fuel cell. It planes well with 3 adults and gear. The "Dolefin" on the motor foot is a great add-on for rapid planing. Our rig weighs in at nearly 450 lbs, does 25 knots easy and performs well at all speeds. We have beefy hydraulic Davits that hold her on the transom so we do not remove the motor (176 lbs) but she goes up (fully rigged) on the foredeck of our Gulfstar M53 Ketch via the big spinnaker pole/ crane and electric winch for passages. We love the set up and the capability of a powerful/fast
tender.


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[onestepcsy37]

Gee, I run my 9ft avon rib with a 3hp yamaha 2 stroke. Didnt realize that just going up one foot would make such a difference in hp requirements.

[colemj]

Your 3hp will move your CSY 37, but it is likely below Avon's recommended minimum engine size for that dinghy. How well does it plane with one person on board? With two?

Frankly, I think that too small of an engine for a dinghy is more dangerous than too large of one.

Mark

[Akapeterc]

Definitely get 2 outboards, if you can, we have a 3 meter Apex RIB with a 15hp Yamaha 4 stroke. 3 light people about max for getting on plain. with 2 big people goes really fast. Very heavy to raise up onto a bracket. I intend to buy a 6hp Yamaha (4,5,&6 all the same weight) for doing all the small trips as it is just too much of an effort for a 5minute trip. The 15hp is great for going off exploring but if you add wheels to your tender to pull it up the beach it is almost impossible to pull up with a 56kg outboard motor attached.

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by colemj

Your 3hp will move your CSY 37, but it is likely below Avon's recommended minimum engine size for that dinghy.

True story. Back in the 70's (previous century) I kept my boat in a marina in Key Largo. A couple was living on the hook on their owner built 35ft aluminum sloop.

One sunday, after a long discussion about boaty things, and a few too many beers, we decided to attach my 3hp seagull outboard to his swim ladder and see what would happen. It was a still calm day. After a bit of jury rigging we got the boat moving across Rock Harbor. Not on plane, but his inboard Saab diesel couldnt plane it either.

Yeah, I know, I could get a bigger engine and go faster, but why would I want to go fast when I can go slow?

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

Yeah, I know, I could get a bigger engine and go faster, but why would I want to go fast when I can go slow?

Likewise, why would I want to venture further away from the 'mother ship', than a distance greater than I might have to row back?

If you happen to be in a spot where there may not be another human within 20 miles, who you gonna call?

;-)