Thanks for all the fine replies on highpressure inflatable floor boats. Now that we've dediced that's the way for us to go, need to decide on how much "push" we need. Most of these are rated for 8HP max, but is 5-6hp enough. (I've read somewhere that 8HP may overpower these boats). What do y"all think? Thanks. George
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Horsepower
We have the Zodiac high pressure floor inflatable which is approximately ten feet long. My advice is to not get anything smaller. The next size up only weighs a couple pounds more. Our engine is an eight horsepower Evinrude. The choice of engines was to get the most power at a reasonable engine weight. The eight weighs approx. 56 pounds. When you jump to the next size, it is over seventy pounds. There are many times that you will want all the horsepower that you can get. The eight works perfectly with two adults.
We have the Zodiac high pressure floor inflatable which is approximately ten feet long. My advice is to not get anything smaller. The next size up only weighs a couple pounds more. Our engine is an eight horsepower Evinrude. The choice of engines was to get the most power at a reasonable engine weight. The eight weighs approx. 56 pounds. When you jump to the next size, it is over seventy pounds. There are many times that you will want all the horsepower that you can get. The eight works perfectly with two adults.
inflatable dingy horsepower
see if you can test the boat with different engines and different loads. Talk to owners. Perhaps they will take you for a ride. I once had an 8 hp mariner adn a zodiac 285 ( a little shy of 10'). For you and your wife, I am sure that the 8 would get you up on plane. The extra couple of horsepower will add little or no wieght as there is usually minor differences to get the extra hp. In the mariner line, the 8, 9.9 and 15 all weigh the about the same. What is the manufacturer's recommended maximum engine? if possible go for that size. Inflatable floor boats in my experience will not track as well as a rib and will not ride as dry. Hope this helps.
see if you can test the boat with different engines and different loads. Talk to owners. Perhaps they will take you for a ride. I once had an 8 hp mariner adn a zodiac 285 ( a little shy of 10'). For you and your wife, I am sure that the 8 would get you up on plane. The extra couple of horsepower will add little or no wieght as there is usually minor differences to get the extra hp. In the mariner line, the 8, 9.9 and 15 all weigh the about the same. What is the manufacturer's recommended maximum engine? if possible go for that size. Inflatable floor boats in my experience will not track as well as a rib and will not ride as dry. Hope this helps.
The Tool Man
George: As Tim Taylor (The Toolman) would say., "You cannot have enough horsepower". Get the biggest engine that your dink is rated for. If you don't need the extra power just throttle back. When you have it loaded with more weight even the larger engine will not be enough.
George: As Tim Taylor (The Toolman) would say., "You cannot have enough horsepower". Get the biggest engine that your dink is rated for. If you don't need the extra power just throttle back. When you have it loaded with more weight even the larger engine will not be enough.
my opinion
I have a 10' inflatable with only a 2hp outboard. I may not be the fastest guy around but It gets me/us where I need to go, hasn't caused any back problems and I have no concerns letting youngsters take it out.
I have a 10' inflatable with only a 2hp outboard. I may not be the fastest guy around but It gets me/us where I need to go, hasn't caused any back problems and I have no concerns letting youngsters take it out.
Hassle v. horsepower
If your needs for the dink are basically to get to and from shore and do a little exploring (which define mine) the little 3.5 Nissan outboard I have is great. Yeah, you can't waterski behind it, but it only weighs about 23 lbs, and has a built in fuel tank which will last about an hour. It's light enough to grab it from the pushpit mount and throw it on the dinghy transom without the aid of mechanical assistance. It has plenty of power to get you and your stuff to and from shore -- it planed on our old Avon plywood floor inflatable with one person, but who cares? If I wanted to go fast I'd have bought a speed boat instead of a sailboat. For me, the hassle of handling a 60lb outboard with cranes and tackle and separate gas tank wasn't worth the thrill of the few extra horsepower.
If your needs for the dink are basically to get to and from shore and do a little exploring (which define mine) the little 3.5 Nissan outboard I have is great. Yeah, you can't waterski behind it, but it only weighs about 23 lbs, and has a built in fuel tank which will last about an hour. It's light enough to grab it from the pushpit mount and throw it on the dinghy transom without the aid of mechanical assistance. It has plenty of power to get you and your stuff to and from shore -- it planed on our old Avon plywood floor inflatable with one person, but who cares? If I wanted to go fast I'd have bought a speed boat instead of a sailboat. For me, the hassle of handling a 60lb outboard with cranes and tackle and separate gas tank wasn't worth the thrill of the few extra horsepower.
agreed
I have the same engine Brian has, a 3.5-horse Nissan, which makes it possible for the wife to handle it without having to rig boom tackle. Sweet. No need for an external fuel tank, which means more interior space in the dink. I carry a little Rubbermaid 1.5 gallon gas can, which supplies enough fuel to get me through a four-week cruise. It's all i've ever needed to explore an anchorage, visit other boats, or go ashore. I may get there a little slower but, hmmmm, that seems to be the point of cruising a sailboat, doesn't it? Best thing about the Nissan is that it only put me back about $600, which means I'm not quite as worried about flipping the dink in the surf or having my motor stolen. Oh yeah, and the fact that it starts on the first pull every time.
I have the same engine Brian has, a 3.5-horse Nissan, which makes it possible for the wife to handle it without having to rig boom tackle. Sweet. No need for an external fuel tank, which means more interior space in the dink. I carry a little Rubbermaid 1.5 gallon gas can, which supplies enough fuel to get me through a four-week cruise. It's all i've ever needed to explore an anchorage, visit other boats, or go ashore. I may get there a little slower but, hmmmm, that seems to be the point of cruising a sailboat, doesn't it? Best thing about the Nissan is that it only put me back about $600, which means I'm not quite as worried about flipping the dink in the surf or having my motor stolen. Oh yeah, and the fact that it starts on the first pull every time.
More Power
If you are going to go as large as 6hp, (probably need some mechanical help -a crane- to handle) you might as well go all the way and get the largest motor the boat will take. Our RIB is rated for 10hp. We got an 8. Lightly loaded it planes and is very fast. Loaded with 9 gallons of gas and two large adults, it won't plane. With 9.9, I'm sure it would. I regret not getting the larger motor.
If you are going to go as large as 6hp, (probably need some mechanical help -a crane- to handle) you might as well go all the way and get the largest motor the boat will take. Our RIB is rated for 10hp. We got an 8. Lightly loaded it planes and is very fast. Loaded with 9 gallons of gas and two large adults, it won't plane. With 9.9, I'm sure it would. I regret not getting the larger motor.
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