Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

[Luna Sea]

I think this is in the right forum... <br /><br />OK, I broke down at the Boston Boat show and came home with a brand new 8’8” Achilles (hypalon) raft with wooden floorboards and transom. Just put my Lund up for sale (bought the Grady) and hopefully my next purchase will be an outboard from iboats, whose prices by the way seem to be matching the “Boat Show Specials”. (plug) The boats rated for a 6 horse, and I haven’t figured out if I’ll be getting a small trailer or doing the rooftop thing. I’m just looking for opinions before I make any big decisions.<br />My options are:<br />1) The 3.3 hp at 28 lbs would be my choice for lifting, but I wonder just how “underpowered I’d be. <br />2) The 4 and the 5 both weigh 45 lbs, so the 5 wins over the 4 if I want to lift 45 lbs.<br />3) This is the tricky one, the 6 hp weighs 73 lbs, 28 lbs heavier than the 4 and 5. Is the extra horsepower going to cancel itself out cause of the 28lb difference? If I commit to lugging this around I want to be sure the boats performance is noticeably improved vs. the 5 hp<br />4) Don’t read this one if you’re “safety minded”. The 8 hp weighs 73 and the 9.9 weighs 74. I realize the 10hp could be a bit much, but I think the 8, which weighs the same as the 6 would be my choice for the 73 pounder. Anyone voting 10 here? I’m a fairly large guy, and smart enough to know the limitations……<br />5) The 4 STROKE 4 and 5 hp models weigh 55 lbs, more green but if the 5 will get me on plane I’ll be tempted here………………….<br /><br />Thanks in advance for the opinions<br /><br />PS I did have a 10 footer with a 10 horse before, course it was rated for it. But this is only 16 inches shorter and probably the same beam....

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

the B&S 5hp 4 stroke is tempting...<br />Engine Style: 4-cycle, OHV, Air-Cooled<br />Displacement: 11.5 cubic inches (189cc)<br />Number of Cylinders: 1<br />Bore x Stroke: 2.688" x 2.04"<br />Gear Ratio: 1.57:1<br />Propeller Diameter - Pitch: 8" - 7.8"<br />Recommended Transom Height: 15"<br />Fuel Capacity: 3 Gallon Remote Fuel Tank<br />Fuel Consumption: 0.5 Gal/Hr @ Full Throttle<br />Full Throttle: 4000 RPM<br />Weight: 56 lbs.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

iboats, whose prices by the way seem to be matching the “Boat Show Specials”. (plug)

Unplug. There is nothing ‘special’ about boat show pricing. Just about anything there can be bought later for the same price. Boat shows do give you the convenience of shopping for everything you absolutely don’t need, all under one tent. <br /><br />Congrats on the inflatable. You bought one of the best-made inflatables. Achilles hold their resale better than most, too. Taken care of, it will live longer than expected. The weak point is going to be the wood floors.<br /><br />What model boat did you get, what is the max hp rating and what are you going to be using the boat for?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

I got the LEX-88. It's rated for a 6hp. Beat the boat show dealer down a couple bills for the floor model. I've replaced and repaired wood floors before. That don't bother me. Rollup would have been nice but big bucks. I got this for less than any of the no name pvc's were selling for. I'm gonna want speed, but portability too. Like to have 2 motors, one small and one overrated but looking for compromise. And wondering if the 6 would even get this on plane. Thanks for the Achilles feel good line. You a dealer?? <br /><br />Edit: Need-small motor to get to mooring.<br /> Want-to be able to use for fun too.

 

[JB]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

Moving to General Outboard

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

I've never had that brand inflatable, but I've used many similar sized Avon's, Hurricaine's, etc.. A 9.9 Hp will plane that boat very well and move it along at a good clip. 18 to 20 mph?? The extra horsepower did not feel unsafe. Johnny/Rude 9.9's are among the most reliable motors out there in my opinion.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

Thanks Drowned Rat,<br /><br />That's the reassuring type of answer I was looking for. I may pick up a new 3.3 for portability and reliability cause I may have clunker tin skiff on beach I can use to get to mooring as well. Meant to measure the transom thickness before I rolled up the Achilles. I've seen em rated for 10 with 15's and 20's on them, and that's a weight increase. Surprising the 6, 8 and 10 all weigh the same! Only downside I could see putting the 10 on there is maybe extended use of full throttle could stress out the transom. Sure would be nice to have the oomph on those flat a$$ calm days though!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

Dont consider anything smaller than a 6hp and personally i would not go that small.The 9.9 would be my choice.I have a 10ft Zodiac and ran through them all.Started witha 2hp Yamaha and used it twice and it is now hanging in my heated garage since,right next to the 4hp I thought would replace it.I eventually went with a 9.9 and if given the choice i would have even gone a little higher.Dont get me wrong the 9.9 is great,but when you start adding any weight, gear or a cooler and a passenger,the acceleration is drastically reduced.These boats dont weigh much,in a lot of cases they weigh less than the motor so any weight at all has great effect.Better to over buy in this case.I learned the hard way.Charlie

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

Crazy Charlie,<br /><br />What is your Zodiac rated for? <br /><br />Posting in the Nissan forum next. Doing research and theit 9.8 weighs only 59 lbs! That could give me the portability and horsepower.......

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Help choosing small Merc. from iboats

do yourself a favor, get the nissan!