9.8hp too big?

[snapper-3]

I've got a 12ft aluminum v-hull. It's an old Wards Sea King in pretty good shape. I'm looking at getting a 4-stroke Tohatsu 8 or 9.8hp but 82 lbs sounds heavy. Would I be better off with a 6hp at 62 lbs? Thanks for your replies & advice.

 

[swist]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

Sounds heavy to me too, why not a 8 or 9.9 2-stroke (from whoever makes one). The advantages of a 4-stroke (no smoke, mileage, etc) hardly seem significant below 10 hp given how heavy they are.

 

[MurdockJr]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

I've got a 1971 Sears 14ft with a 1975 Merc 7.5 hp and can run 21mph gps with me and my son in it. Stay with a 6-8hp two stroke to keep the weight down. I think a 9.9 would be overkill as these boats are very light.

 

[KIGuy52]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

I have a '69 9.8 on an old 12' Sears aluminum<br />semi-V. It does great at 2/3 throttle and the extra power's nice when you're carrying a couple of people or when you're trying to beat a storm. It is a little on the heavy side though.

 

[bprender]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

i just bought a 9.8 tohatsu electric start from internetoutboards.com. its an amazing motor and starts, runs, and sounds like a dream. the elec. start was an extra 10 lbs, but it was worth it. that Tohatsu is a great engine, and i think when I researched it, it was one of the lightest in its class. I wouldn't think twice about the extra power. Mine was "too much power", but if you ever upgrade your boat, your gonna be stuck with a tiny motor for it. Better to just plan for the future. Best.

 

[yater]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

I have the tohatsu 9.8 pull start...I don't have a need for e-start since it fires with 1/2 a pull. The thing weighs about 81 lbs...look at the comparable 2stroke weights and you'll see that they're VERY close. I believe the yami 9.9 2stroke is about 79lbs and the johnnyrude is more? Anyway, the tohatsu has run like a dream so far (I run mine on a 14' flatbottom jon). Search my posts and you'll see that I searched north america for a new 9.8 2stroke tohatsu but couldn't find one. I'm happy with the 4stroke

 

[snapper-3]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

Thanks for the posts guys. I still haven't made a decision but I really appreciate all your input! Once I make my purchase I'll report back with the results.

 

[joblo33]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

I run my 12' Sea Nymph with 9.8HP Mercs all the time. It's hella fast and the 9.8 wieghs about the same as the 7.5. I'm going back up to the cabin tomorrow and I'll throw a 9.8 on there and take the gps for a ride and report back.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: 9.8hp too big?

One of my boats is a 12' aluminum, semi-V - a favorite for quick evening fishing runs, I hasten to add.<br /><br />I've tried different motor sizes/makes and the 9.8 in a 2-stroke is plenty of power with good weight for the boat. <br /><br />I'm currently running a Suzuki DT-6 (modified to a DT-8) that pushes along at 22Kt (not WFO, btw-about 3/4 throttle) with two men, cooler, tackle boxes, trolling motor & battery and a full tank - not bad in my opinion. Full throttle probably wouldn't add more than a couple knots.<br /><br />The Suzuki weighs 64 pounds which appears to fit this boat well ... <br /><br />I'd recommend staying with a 2-stroke unless your favorite fishing water prohibits them. They're lighter with better power to weight ratio than any 4-stroke. Newer 4-strokes are getting lighter ... but they're not quite there yet. <br /><br />Do good and have fun ...<br /><br />Pogo<br />www.pogo123.com<br /><br />Teaching a pig to sing wastes your time and annoys the pig.