small outboard

topgun1185

topgun1185

New Member
Sep 7, 2007
319
New Jersey
Boat Info
2007 44 Sundancer
Engines
QSC 500
I have a Baltic 11'6" inflatable and I need help in selecting the right motor. I will be removing the motor for transport and plan on using weaver snap davits. I have done some research into both 4 and 2 stroke models. I plan on it being no bigger that a 9.9 hp. So weight, fuel tank(internal/external), storage(on its side), all are factors. Tell what you are using good or bad and what mistakes I should avoid. Thanks!!
 
Yes that what I've seen with an internal fuel tank would make things simple. I don't know about storing on its side...won't the fuel leak out?
 
We have the 9.5 Baltic and a new 6hP mercruiser, 4 stroke. A bit underpowered for 3 people if you ask me - the best we can do is 7MPH as per GPS. However, the larger engine is just that, larger, and heavier so I didn't want to lose portability. I don't like the 2 stroke at all as they are just too loud - can't enjoy a nice run in the dinghy with the loud buzz, even at a slower RPM. With the 11' dinghy, I would go with the 9.9 and with 3-4 people you should be fine... Fuel is a non issue... smallest tank is fine and last many hours...
 
Most tanks have a cap with a seal-able vent. Turn the vent open when you run it, close the vent when you store it; no fuel leaks out.

Or you can get one without an integral tank and use a fuel bladder (in the military we use fuel blatters on our zodiacs); this would make it a bit lighter.
 
I keep my motor on my dinghy when I transport it, but here is a vote for 4 strokes... I have a 9'8" dink and a 4 stroke yamana 9.9hp motor. I love the quietness, no smoke, no vibration a 4 stroke has over a 2, so it's worth the weight for me. I can get my son up on a trainer ski with it too!
 
Well so far the 4 stroke have it. I read that you cant lay them on there side for fear that oil will run down into the motor. One post I read said that a honda has little ruber feet on the side of engine cowl and can be layed down. So far so good thanks for all I think others have the same questions and this sharing is really great!
 
I have a Mercury 4 HP four stroke with about 2 hours on it. I bought back in 2001 and used it about 3 times with my 380 DA. I think the thing was just too heavy and everytime I put it on the dinghy, I almost dropped it in the drink.

I think Frank W. has a Honda 2 HP two stroke and that thing is light as a feather compared to these Mercury engines. This year we are going to take our Yamaha WaveRunner with us on the swim platform instead of the Zodiac Projet dinghy so I'm going to bring my old 11' Zodiac with me. I am not going to take the beast Mercury and am probably going to go buy that little Honda.... But then again, I'm probably just old and weak.

As far as speed goes, the displacement hull speed of an 11 foot boat is probably on the order of 5 or 6 mph... if you can get there with 2 HP, 4 HP or greater is not going to make you go faster unless you start to plane.
 
Four Suns said:
I have a Mercury 4 HP four stroke
Click to expand...

One of the main reasons I went with the 6HP is that the 4 HP, 5HP and 6HP all weight the same, 55lbs. The Mercury engines gain a minimum of 30 lbs as soon as you go over their 6HP unit. Not sure of the brands as I did not look at them.
 
Yes I agree speed is not really the thing, of couse it must make way but four suns makes a great point weight on and off and reliablity is really the mesuring stick I looking for it seems Honda/Yamaha are pretty good.
 
topgun1185 said:
Well so far the 4 stroke have it. I read that you cant lay them on there side for fear that oil will run down into the motor. One post I read said that a honda has little ruber feet on the side of engine cowl and can be layed down. So far so good thanks for all I think others have the same questions and this sharing is really great!
Click to expand...

Topgun,

I can lay my Yamaha on the cowl two ways (upright and side) but I can't the other two ways (other sides)

I don't know how to make that sentence make any more sense??:smt100

Basically, their is a visual pic on the side showing you the right ways to lay it... On the tiller handle side, laying sideways, or with the prop down on the surface if laying down up and down... :smt101 Hopefully you get the idea!
 
I got it. Untill reading these posts I had no idea that the motor could only be stored in certain ways. Thanks
 
HA! Four stroke is even better. Sold! I just assumed it was a 2 stroke because it was so light.
 
Frank will not steer us wrong. I have actually heard several folks just rave about this little motor.... I am looking forward to giving it a whirl.... I don't need to plane in an air filled boat.... just motor me from point A to point B.

Do I hear a group buy for Honda 2 HP's <grin>
 
I bought a Honda mini tiller this past weekend. It has a 1.1 HP four stroke on it... pretty neat little engine.
 
What's the going price on a Honda 2 hp? Can I get one of those from Wise Sales or Mayberries too? :)
 
i have a 3.5hp 2 stroke nissan that powered my 9 1/2" hypalon (heavy) dink. pretty darn slow, though it would plane with only me in it. good for tender usage, but tool slow for puttering around the harbor. depends what you want to accomplish. if you have kids that like to "go fast," get the bigger motor, but expect to aggravate your hernia each time you install it. my 38lb nissan was a snap to drop in to place with NO help. and it IS for sale! probably too small for your baltic.
 
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