20 or 25hp for a WM 350 tender

[planoron]

so the Susuki 20hp is 30lbs less than the Yama 25. 97 vs 126. Wondering if the additional 5hp is worth the weight. Not so much picking straight up and down but maneuvering it around to mount on the rail.

On a side note,,,,getting a great deal on the WM350 hypalon. Will it be too big for the aft of a Hunter 380? I know the 310 works

 

[capta]

That is an insane engine for an 11 foot inflatable. Our 11.6 foot Zodiac does around 35 knots with a 15 hp 4 stroke and two people and that is downright dangerous, if you aren't paying attention. It barely touches the water if there's the tiniest chop.
With a 20 or 25 you will never be able to safely let a child drive it and it may be too much for your wife. Plus, it'll probably tear the dinghy apart in just a couple of years.

 

[higgs]

I agree with capta. i had a 9.9 on a ten footer that easily put it up on plane. How fast do you need to go?

 

[CarlN]

Of those two, definitely the Suzuki 20 (which is the same as a Suzuki 15 but goes to a higher RPM). Both the Suzuki and the Yamaha have fuel injection instead of the lousy carburetors still on most small outboards. This means they won't be bothered by ethanol fuel fouling. A 25hp is way too big for your RIB.

I recently got a Suzuki 25 to replace a 10 year old Yamaha 25 on a 13ft Boston Whaler (which I don't carry on the cruising boat). I couldn't believe how much better an engine the Suzuki was than the Yamaha. Quieter, instant starting, idled great. Yamaha was considered the best back in the 2 cycle outboard days but I wonder if Suzuki has pulled ahead.

 

[shemandr]

127 lbs. sounds like a lot of weight if have to lift it off the dingy. Basically if you can Clean & Jerk 127 lbs while standing on an unstable platform you will be OK. I had a 30lb 2 stroke 3.5 hp for my H356. It's a pretty long way up to the rail. Certainly hands over head. And it's not straight up. Because of the swim platform you would be bent at the waist some. Will you have a helper strong enough to grap the engine while bent over the stern rail? That's a bad position for the back of the person up top. The H356 had a crane which I used to take some of the drama out. But I didn't really want a heavier engine.

 

[planoron]

Thanks for all the response everybody, I think the 20hp is what I will get
Capta - My main concern is when I have 4 people in the dink with supplies and we need to either get off the water or back to the boat. That is when I need the extra hp. I also dont want to have to run an engine hard to make good time over the water.
Shemandr - Going with the 20 due to the xtra weight. We will have a hoist on the back to set it on the rack.
Carln - Looking hard at the Suzuki. Thanks
Suzuki 4 Stroke Outboard VS Yamaha – Comparison 2020 - GearsLoft

 

[capta]

Thanks for all the response everybody, I think the 20hp is what I will get
Capta - My main concern is when I have 4 people in the dink with supplies and we need to either get off the water or back to the boat. That is when I need the extra hp. I also dont want to have to run an engine hard to make good time over the water.
Shemandr - Going with the 20 due to the xtra weight. We will have a hoist on the back to set it on the rack.
Carln - Looking hard at the Suzuki. Thanks
Suzuki 4 Stroke Outboard VS Yamaha – Comparison 2020 - GearsLoft

We "get off" just fine with three and all their luggage.

 

[Michael Davis]

I agree with capta. i had a 9.9 on a ten footer that easily put it up on plane. How fast do you need to go?

If you visit us up here , remember that small craft harbours have speed limits ( 5 knots Or minimum wake, which ever is slower ) Some harbours are slower and you find them on paper charts or in sailing directions. Pendrell Sound and Brentwood Bay are only 4 knots. Maybe a 2.5 would be enough.

 

[planoron]

If you visit us up here , remember that small craft harbours have speed limits ( 5 knots Or minimum wake, which ever is slower ) Some harbours are slower and you find them on paper charts or in sailing directions. Pendrell Sound and Brentwood Bay are only 4 knots. Maybe a 2.5 would be enough.

Gorgeous area!! Would be fine to idle through there. I am very conscientious of a wake around a marina or harbor or anyplace common sense tells you no wake. We are the last boat out on the pier and always take the brunt of wind and wakes. Been a couple yachties I had to explain that when they shut ii down at the buoys, that big f-n wake follows them in...grr,,,,and PWC's

 

[capta]

Gorgeous area!! Would be fine to idle through there. I am very conscientious of a wake around a marina or harbor or anyplace common sense tells you no wake. We are the last boat out on the pier and always take the brunt of wind and wakes. Been a couple yachties I had to explain that when they shut ii down at the buoys, that big f-n wake follows them in...grr,,,,and PWC's

I so love living where PWCs are illegal! I'm not a fan of governmental control on the water, but that one is to everyone's benefit!