I am going to purchase a new outboard for the inflatable, it's rated to 8 hp., any thoughts on reliability and availability of service and spares would be appreciated.
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Yes, but...
...is 8HP appropriate for an inflatable dingy? Just asking. I've an 8HP Tohatsu - reliable as heck, but it weighs over 80 pounds, quite a load for a dink!
...is 8HP appropriate for an inflatable dingy? Just asking. I've an 8HP Tohatsu - reliable as heck, but it weighs over 80 pounds, quite a load for a dink!
Kickers
I beat their price at ToteBoat for the 8 hp electric Nissan with a lot moree acces. ie tank etc
I beat their price at ToteBoat for the 8 hp electric Nissan with a lot moree acces. ie tank etc
dink engine
I have a 10 ft. Avon with an 8 hp Nissan. This combo works very well, especially since I put a Dole-Fin on the engine. However, I still think I want a 10 ft. RIB with aabout a 9.9 hp engine, enough to get the dink up on plane in a slight chop. (I sail in the ocean and the Avon pounds and slaps) I have to take the dink a few miles sometimes and want a little more speed and stability. Storage us not a problem since I have an arch/davits.
I have a 10 ft. Avon with an 8 hp Nissan. This combo works very well, especially since I put a Dole-Fin on the engine. However, I still think I want a 10 ft. RIB with aabout a 9.9 hp engine, enough to get the dink up on plane in a slight chop. (I sail in the ocean and the Avon pounds and slaps) I have to take the dink a few miles sometimes and want a little more speed and stability. Storage us not a problem since I have an arch/davits.
dole fin
Saw your post about the dole fin. i have basicly the same set up as you. what does the dole fin do? i have been thinking of getting one but keep putting if off.
Saw your post about the dole fin. i have basicly the same set up as you. what does the dole fin do? i have been thinking of getting one but keep putting if off.
Dole-Fin
The Dole-Fin works great. The dink will plane sooner, will stay up on plane at a slower speed, and will plane with two adults, and uses less gas. There's an even better widgit now. It's a prop shroud that not only acts like a dole-fin but also captures all the wasted energy off the tips of the prop and channels it into thrust. A boost of nearly 30% is reported. I plan to use one on my next set-up.
The Dole-Fin works great. The dink will plane sooner, will stay up on plane at a slower speed, and will plane with two adults, and uses less gas. There's an even better widgit now. It's a prop shroud that not only acts like a dole-fin but also captures all the wasted energy off the tips of the prop and channels it into thrust. A boost of nearly 30% is reported. I plan to use one on my next set-up.
Go for the max...
TomH, Go ahead and get the 8 hp. In a year, you'll be glad you did. The Johnson 8hp two-stroke weighs about 55 lb. I used one very hard for about 10 years and had very little trouble with it that wasn't self-inflicted. OMC is now owned by Bombardie and I don't know who makes the motor now. My current O/B is a Yamaha and it's fine, too. I tried a 15 hp Mercury 4-stroke, (also a Yamaha, but painted black instead of grey), and had nothing but trouble with the motor and the worst experience of my boating life with both Mercury Marine and Apex Inflatables of Annapolis, MD. I sold the motor after less than a year and was happy to only lose $700 on the deal. Regardless of what the brochures, salesmen and other poor souls say, please consider the 2-stroke first. Fair winds, Steve S/V Aurelia
TomH, Go ahead and get the 8 hp. In a year, you'll be glad you did. The Johnson 8hp two-stroke weighs about 55 lb. I used one very hard for about 10 years and had very little trouble with it that wasn't self-inflicted. OMC is now owned by Bombardie and I don't know who makes the motor now. My current O/B is a Yamaha and it's fine, too. I tried a 15 hp Mercury 4-stroke, (also a Yamaha, but painted black instead of grey), and had nothing but trouble with the motor and the worst experience of my boating life with both Mercury Marine and Apex Inflatables of Annapolis, MD. I sold the motor after less than a year and was happy to only lose $700 on the deal. Regardless of what the brochures, salesmen and other poor souls say, please consider the 2-stroke first. Fair winds, Steve S/V Aurelia
How will you use it?
In my situation, my dink outboard is mostly used for in harbor travel, mostly in no wake zones. I got a 2.5 Nissan becasue it is easier to mount and dismount. At no wake speeds it is just as fast as the 9.9s I encounter. If I were going to frequently be traveling more than a mile in areas where I could kick up a wake, then I would want a bigger engine that would get my dink up on a plane.
In my situation, my dink outboard is mostly used for in harbor travel, mostly in no wake zones. I got a 2.5 Nissan becasue it is easier to mount and dismount. At no wake speeds it is just as fast as the 9.9s I encounter. If I were going to frequently be traveling more than a mile in areas where I could kick up a wake, then I would want a bigger engine that would get my dink up on a plane.
I would go for a small one
I currently have a Suzuki 6hp and I would suggest going for a 2-3hp unit. Most of the time, we use it in a quite harbor, and would like to keep it slow for other people on their hooks. And in a marina, you have to go at no-wake speed anyway. A small one will have a internal tank and very easy getting it in/out of the dink. No extra tank in the dink getting in the way. Our outboard is already over 20 years old and is still running great. When it dies, I am buying a small one. Like Higgs said, it really depends on how you are going to use your outboard.
I currently have a Suzuki 6hp and I would suggest going for a 2-3hp unit. Most of the time, we use it in a quite harbor, and would like to keep it slow for other people on their hooks. And in a marina, you have to go at no-wake speed anyway. A small one will have a internal tank and very easy getting it in/out of the dink. No extra tank in the dink getting in the way. Our outboard is already over 20 years old and is still running great. When it dies, I am buying a small one. Like Higgs said, it really depends on how you are going to use your outboard.
Shrouded props
Shrouds on props usualy increase drag considerably. Their value is for directing thrust for increased bollard pull as in tug pull. they do not increase speed.
Shrouds on props usualy increase drag considerably. Their value is for directing thrust for increased bollard pull as in tug pull. they do not increase speed.
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