West Marine RU260 engine

[HMcClard]

I have a West RU260 that has been powered by elbow grease until now. Its use is as a tender for my real boat when I'm at a mooring or anchored. I am looking around for a small outboard to add to it since my elbow grease is getting a bit old. I have a line on either a Yamaha 2.5hp 4 stroke or a 5hp Mercury 2 stroke. The 4 stroke is only a few pounds heavier than the 2 stroke 5hp. The Yamaha is almost new. The Mercury 5 is a mid 1990's that had carb rebuilt when they did winterization a few months ago and it appears to be in pretty good condition.

Anyone have an opinion on which might be better long term choice?

Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

Both 2 and 4 strokes have their own tech issues, if it were me would go for the 5 Hp 2 stroke engine assuming has been properly serviced. A 2.5 4 strokes is half the HP than of the 5 HP. A 2.5 is too basic, much better than rowing but in the short run will bore you soon.

In a future you can grow to a larger sib with a 5 HP. Anyway, will have my doubts if you'll be able to plane a small 260 with a 5 HP, to much hull drag to overcome fast due to having a slatted deck and no keel, but a 5 will push it much better at just fast displacements speeds than a 2.5.

Happy Boating

 

[fbpooler]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

Check out West Marine RU-260 Inflatable Sport Dinghy - YouTube

That boat is not designed as a planing hull, and 2 to 4 HP is recommended for it. Adding more power will just burn more gas without any real gain in speed. It is designed to be transportation from ship to shore.

 

[HMcClard]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

Check out West Marine RU-260 Inflatable Sport Dinghy - YouTube

That boat is not designed as a planing hull, and 2 to 4 HP is recommended for it. Adding more power will just burn more gas without any real gain in speed. It is designed to be transportation from ship to shore.

Thanks. I also talked with a service tech at the marina... same advice. So, I'm now at either the 5hp or also found a 4hp 4stroke at a good price too. The 4 x 4stroke is 60 lb vs 50 lb so it's a good comparison. Think I'll just flip a coin.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

Most 2 strokes 4 and 5 HP are same block, exact same CC, size and weight, just carb restricted. 10 pounds less in a small dinghy is 10 pound less. Won't have any advantage going full wot with a 4 or 5 HP, excesive hull drag and bow up, better throtle 1/2 to 3/4 to achieve displacement speeds with flat sib runing on water, less fuel consumption and engine stress.

Happy Boating

 

[redneck joe]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

propane?

Lehr Propane Outboards - iboats.

5 hp only 48 lbs

 

[HMcClard]

Re: West Marine RU260 engine

Went with the Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke. It's not overly prohibitive with weight, enough power to fight the current in Portsmouth Harbor if I have to even though I don't plan to... I've had my gps showing 8 mph at flood tide without the engine even running. And, the price was right. Thanks for the input guys!