- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,731
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
I currently run a small Honda 4-stroke 2 hp motor on my Achilles LEX96 (9.5 ft, 15.5 inch tubes, non-RIB with inflatable keel). It's woefully underpowered, but it gets me from boat to nearby boat or shore. It's just not enough to cross busy waterways like the San Joaquin River in the delta or Raccoon Straight in the bay. It feels like crossing a freeway on a skateboard!
I have an opportunity to purchase a lightly used Merc 15hp 2 stroke that I'm considering for this dingy. It should scoot the dingy right along! It's a deal from my best friend that is hard to refuse. But there are a couple of issues:
1. The Honda weighs in at 27 lbs and is a piece of cake to manhandle. The dingy is rated for a 84-88 lb motor (depending on what you read) and this motor is 77 lbs. This weight is the same as the Merc 9.9 2-stroke and within 4 lbs of the Merc 8 2-stroke. At 77 lbs, the Merc will require more finesse to mount/demount. Does anyone on the forum handle a motor this size without a davit or crane/boom? I suspect I'd be towing the dink more than I currently tow due to the weight. I currently secure the dink along the swimstep on its stbd side secured to the step and aft rail.
2. The max HP rating on the dingy is 8hp. I'm curious if anyone here has any experience with a non-RIB dingy with this motor? Is it too squirrelly?
I will be trying it out on my dingy before committing to the purchase but am very interested in the experiences of those on the board who have already traveled this road.
Many thanks!
I have an opportunity to purchase a lightly used Merc 15hp 2 stroke that I'm considering for this dingy. It should scoot the dingy right along! It's a deal from my best friend that is hard to refuse. But there are a couple of issues:
1. The Honda weighs in at 27 lbs and is a piece of cake to manhandle. The dingy is rated for a 84-88 lb motor (depending on what you read) and this motor is 77 lbs. This weight is the same as the Merc 9.9 2-stroke and within 4 lbs of the Merc 8 2-stroke. At 77 lbs, the Merc will require more finesse to mount/demount. Does anyone on the forum handle a motor this size without a davit or crane/boom? I suspect I'd be towing the dink more than I currently tow due to the weight. I currently secure the dink along the swimstep on its stbd side secured to the step and aft rail.
2. The max HP rating on the dingy is 8hp. I'm curious if anyone here has any experience with a non-RIB dingy with this motor? Is it too squirrelly?
I will be trying it out on my dingy before committing to the purchase but am very interested in the experiences of those on the board who have already traveled this road.
Many thanks!