Boats for 3hp outboard

[PointBlank017]

I just bought a 3hp Sears Gamefisher outboard and now I need to find myself a boat for it.

I'm looking for something portable and I'll most likely end up getting a Korean inflatable. (unless someone can point me towards something better for the same price)

I want something that the 3hp can easily put on plane and push reasonably fast. (with only me onboard) That would probably be a boat around 8 feet long, correct?

I saw some Walker Bay dinghies pretty cheap, but they are supposedly horrible? Any opinions on those?

Since I'm probably going to get an inflatable, I have a few questions about them. First, does the size of the boat matter that much as far as the motor you out on it? I was told that any roll-up inflatable from 6.5' to 8.5' will go the same speed with the same size motor. I've read that inflatables are inefficient and won't go as fast a typical dinghy. Is this true? And are the Korean made PVC inflatables worth buying? Somehow I can't see the glued seams holding up as well as the thermo-bonded ones Zodiac makes. But I can't afford a Zodiac.

That's about all for now.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

3Hp isn't going to plane anything with a person onboard. The closest you'll come is with a small hard-bottom inflatable.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

This will hold up to a 7hp motor

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

3 HP may be able to put a 10 foot John Boat on plane. They plane really easily.

 

[PointBlank017]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

Dakota, that's a Scorpio right? Are they any good? That might be just what I'm looking for.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

There very well made, it planes with me in it (5hp) ,, the boat is 10ft long, yes its a Scorpio. its for sale??

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

How about a square stern canoe? My dad has a 5 on a 17 foot Grumman and top speed is actually kind of scary.

Not that you necessarily want to travel to Alaska for one but...

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/406546896.html

 

[arks]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

I'm with MM- a 10' Jon boat. Only 70 pounds and it goes right into a pickup bed. Mine planes with 4HP.

 

[PointBlank017]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

Do they make any 8 foot jon boats?

Also, does a V keel on an inflatable make that big a difference? I've been looking at a few 6.5' inflatables. Some have keels and others don't.

Thanks.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

they make 8' jon boats, but I would opt for a 10. The difference with a 3hp is not going to be a lot and the extra 2ft will be nice. The problem you will have is freeboard.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

IMO, a 10' jon or one of those little "pond prowler " deals would do fine with that motor .
Another possibility is a 12-15' canoe .

My 4hp Johny will push my little 12' Appleby at a decent clip , but , my 9.9hp Merc will get you there and back without the need to pack a lunch .
That same 4hp Johny will push my 17' Grumman canoe almost as fast as the 9.9 Merc pushes my Appleby ,which is scary fast for a canoe !


If you want to prowl calm still waters , that motor will do fine .
If you want to go any great distance in a reasonable time , and ,have the possibility of racing the weather back to port , you might consider a bigger engine and boat .

 

[PointBlank017]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

I'll definitely look into a jon boat.

If I want to keep it portable, I have too look into a small inflatable. Is an inflatable keel all that important on a 6.5-8' inflatable?

 

[arks]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

Is an inflatable keel all that important on a 6.5-8' inflatable?

Yes it is- if the engine's able to plane the boat.
Without a keel the boat will tend to skid sideways when you turn while on plane.

 

[PointBlank017]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

Yes it is- if the engine's able to plane the boat.
Without a keel the boat will tend to skid sideways when you turn while on plane.

Think a 3hp could plane a 6.5' inflatable?

 

[pwiseman]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

I had a 3 OMC pushing a 15' Grumman Sport boat. Did ok. It was rated to 5 HP. Threw a 6 on and it went pretty good. They weight about 100 lbs. Similar to a flat stern canoe, but flat bottom and like 44" beam.

 

[PointBlank017]

Re: Boats for 3hp outboard

Just thought I'd post some pictures of the motor I got.

I decided on a 7' inflatable from airaquatics. I want it to be portable and these boats seem to be good quality.