outboard motors

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Feb 14, 2005
1
- - Mobile, Ala
We are getting ready to replace a dinghy outboard and wondered what people thought of Johnson 15 hp. It is a 10 ft dinghy and we will be cruising in the Bahamas.
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,979
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
15 HP on a 10 Ft. Dinghy

Jennifer It sounds like you're overpowered. Our 10'-2" Zodiac lists the max HP at 10 and we have a 9.9 Evinrude. You might want to check your specs on the dinghy for max HP. The Catalina 25 website always has great information about outboard engines because they use them for both dinghies and main boat propulsion. www.catalina25-250.org. Enter the forum. Have a great trip. Stu
 
Jan 26, 2005
53
Maxim Voyage 380 Currently: Sailing the Caribbean
Depends on the manufacture

We have a Caribe C10X and it is rated for up to 20HP. We currently have a 15hp mercury on it and it flies. I would recommend contacting the manufacture if the build plate is not on the boat
 
A

a poor old sailor

2 cycle or 4

Keep in mind that 4 cycle engines are much heavier and that the spec plate on your dinghy may be in referring to 2 cycles. I don't know how big of a deal it is on dinghies, but some kicker brackets come with 4 cycle warnings all over the place. My experience with a 15hp (2 cycle) on a 10' rigid bottom Avon was scary. It could go way too fast, considering the relatively poor handling of the inflatable's hull.
 
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
Should be ok

You should realize that it will handle differently than a smaller engine and approach is as you would anything new and different - with some caution. If it is accelerated rapidly, the bow may rise fast and surprise you. You will use more gas and may need an added tank. A smaller engine will still get you around ok and is much lighter and smaller. I have an 18 hp motor on a 10 ft avon and it goes real fast. That is nice if I want to go somewhere without raising the hook. I have never tried it without Doel-Fins and I highly recommend you get something like that to keep the nose down.
 

p323ms

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May 24, 2004
341
Pearson 323 panama city
jennifer some passage notes please

Hi Jennifer we were at Dog River last year at Turner's marine for about 9 months. Anyway I'm curious if you will sail direct for Key West or work your way around the coast. Also would you mind giving your boat type??? Time of year to travel??? We are thinking about taking our Pearson 323 from Panama City to Key west or the Tortugas in May. Several boats from our marina did this last year and had different experiences. One boat had storms and sailed but two had to motor almost all of the way. One is taking a simular trip this year but plans to stop at Naples and head back along the coast. Thanks Tom
 
R

Rob

Bow gas can

I too am looking for a new outboard for our 10'6" west marine rib. Out 5.5hp is underpowered with 4 people going places and Id like to get a moto that will alow us to plane...when we want a thrill.....(so my kids dont want a full time power boat) The plate recomends 10hp...but Ive been looking for a 15hp...recently Ive been reconsidering...for a number of reasons...4 strokes on 15hp are about 120# thats alot of stern weight..... and the Coats Gaurd will ticket you if the engine is over the rated placard...........My question is has anyone had any luck with the new tanks West Marine is selling for inflatables??? They nestle up inside the bow tight in between the tubes......They seam like a great idea as they move the fuel weight forward to plane the boat easier. Thoughts????...they retail $89.00 6 gallons Rob.
 

BrianH

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Feb 14, 2005
104
Hunter 44 LaSalle, MI
Try trim tabs

I put self adjusting trim tabs on my 10'6" Brigg RIB, powered with a 9.9 Evinrude, and it made a world of difference. Instead of the nose of the dinghy coming up out of the water first, the entire dinghy raises up onto plane all at once.
 
Jan 26, 2005
53
Maxim Voyage 380 Currently: Sailing the Caribbean
Dolfins

We have Dolfins mounted on our engine, about $30 US. It flattens out the start, increases forward thrust, and increases stabilty. I would take a look at these first. Cheaper and very effective.
 
W

Warren

Too Heavy!

10-15 HP too heavy! Look for a 2 cycle 4-5 HP The OMC (Evinrude or Johnson) 4 HP would be excellent.....as it weights under 40 lbs. Keep in mind you don't need to water ski, just good solid transportation.
 
Jan 22, 2003
744
Hunter 25_73-83 Burlington NJ
All those 10-15-HP motors

So when all you people convince all these other people to do without their 10-15-HP outboards, could one of you convince another of you to send the motor(s) you get rid of to ME? :) Diana needs a 9.9 or 15 for this season. JC 2 cherubiniyachts@aol.com
 
Jan 26, 2005
53
Maxim Voyage 380 Currently: Sailing the Caribbean
size can matter

We came south with a 5hp 4cyl and it worked very well. THe difference came when we were in Bonaire, Los Aves, and Los Roques. THe distances became very large to travel to the various dive sites. The smaller motor restricted the places we could go and the loads we could carry. 2 people, dive gear, fishing stuff is a lot of weight. If you need to get around the the smaller engine will work. If you you will be covering great distances and carry very large loads the bigger engine will make it quicker and possilby safer. ( We once tried to out run a storm in the 5 hp, we got wet) A recommendation would be to start with a small used engine and see if that meets you needs. If it doesn't then upgrade. Remember-2cyl east more gas oil 15 hp easts more gas and oil The weight of the motor is a consideration but the additional fuel needed! We like our upgrade
 
S

steve

10 vs 15 can you feel the difference?

We have a 10' 6" rib with a fiberglass "V" Floor I am upgrading to a new engine this year and would like to get the most I can for the boat....It rated for a 10HP max...but my dock mate has the same boat and has a 18HP tahatsu on it...... My question is with 2 adults and 2 children with moto gas and gear.....or 4 adults with scuba tanks, motor , gas, and gear...can you feel the difference between engine sizes?
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Ten or fifteen horse power?!!!

Hell, ours is 25!!! Disadvantage; 20 pounds heavier than a 15. (Yamaha, oil injected, 11.5' Avon RIB) Advantages; Too numerous to list. Good or bad depending how you look at it: The cruising fleet tended to ask for our services when hauling a heavy load or going long distances.
 
S

Steve

pulling my leg Fred?

Since you mentioned oil injection...in yamaha's....any pro's or cons you can say on Johnson vs Tohasu, vs Mercury, vs Honda?...plastic parts vs metal ect...... Whats the best value per $.....We are talking 2 strokes only. Ive been following the Mercury lawsuite..on Product dumping in the US by foriegn producers. Unfortunatly I just read Mercury is now down sizing the plant in Michigan and opening up a plant in China in order to compete with the low cost motors from Japan and China. They said it was no longer economical to produce in the US citing Labor costs as the number 1 reason.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Steve, this is weird,,,,

I just got off the phone with an old friend dating back to the sixties. He was telling me about his new Merc 2 stroke outboard, 90HP. Not only is it oil injected, it's fuel injected too. And it's approved for use in California. But it cost him $7,000.00 just for the motor. As far as answering your questions, I haven't got a clue. *o
 
S

Steve

Fred?...WOW a 90HP on a dingy???

Dude way cool!!! hahahahahahahahahaha! maybe Ill stick to the 9.9.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Steve!!!!

That's what I said to my friend! Way too cool dude. It reminded me of my old ski boat from the 70s.
 
Jun 8, 2004
2,925
Catalina 320 Dana Point
I have a '95 16 ft. ski boat with an 88 HP

Johnson 2 stroke that my wife wants me to sell so she can park in the garage. Wait till I tell her it's the new 45 MPH dinghy for our 6.5 Kt. sailboat, and we also have our own towboat for emergencies.
 
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