[C320-list] Outboard Motor Selection?

[Robert Seastream]

Get the most HP your dinghy will allow, if budget affords.  I 
occasionally have to fight the Piscataqua 6 knot current, fully loaded, 
and am thankful for the reserve HP.
As to weight, my 9' Avon (50 lbs) & 8 HP Honda 4 stroke (80 lbs) weigh 
about 130 pounds; the Garhauer davits make hoisting a non issue.
With just myself aboard, at WOT I've GPS clocked 22 mph...more than 
adequate.

Bob

On Jun 27, 2007, at 11:56 AM, Jeffrey Hare wrote:

> Hi all,
>
>    I've got a 10' wooden floor dinghy with an inflatable keel.   A 4hp
> 4-stroke motor will just barely get it on plane with myself and my 
> daughter
> on board with total weight of under 200lbs.
> It won't climb onto plane with my wife and son on board also, even with
> weight shifting around.  (didn't expect it to really).
>
> So, with under 400lbs total weight, does anyone on this list think 
> there's a
> chance of a 6hp 4-stroke outboard being able to plane?   Doesn't have 
> to be
> fast, just fast enough to get on plane with the weight properly 
> distributed
> so that the ride is relatively dry.
>
> Stepping up to an 8 or 9.9hp merc adds another 40lbs of weight and 
> ~$400 to
> the tab.   I was hoping to avoid having to hoist a 100lbs motor 
> anywhere.
> The 6hp is under 60lbs.    I'm not really interested in a 2-stroke.   I
> already live in 2-stroke hell around the house, plus I already have a
> tempermental  7.5hp merc 2-stroke that's always on a coffee break when 
> I
> need it run.
>
> -Jeff
>
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