Largest practical outboard size for a tender

[catlotion]

I'm half thinking of getting a bigger outboard to replace my Mercury 3.5hp when I change to a bigger dinghy. Really just to speed my journey to the swing mooring (and back when I invariably leave something in the car).

What's the biggest realistic size of engine that can be practically lifted in and out of an estate car and rolled down a slipway on a 3m Honwave alu deck (with transom wheels)? Any experiences?

I'm not a body builder btw...

 

[ctva]

Depends if you need to lift off onto the boat.

5hp would probably be the biggest if you are not lifting on and off the boat but only to and from the car.

of Course a 2 stroke is lighter....

 

[Tranona]

Maximum rated capacity is 15hp. Constraint for lifting out of car/lifting onto boat is weight and a 5hp is near the limit of manhandling. When you can, get to a dealer and try them out.

 

[catlotion]

Ah sorry forgot to mention. I won't be lifting onto the boat. I struggle to do that with the 3.5hp tbh!

 

[VicS]

I think you need to consider this from a different perspective.
What is the heaviest awkwardly shaped object do you think you can manhandle in this way?

Consider also how you will lift it onto the mothership.

I would not like to handle my 6 hp 2 stroke in this way.

Remember also that they seem to get heavier as they get older.

 

[Graham376]

My 9.8 2 stroke is the same weight as a much smaller 4 stroke, around 27 kgs. 55kg dinghy has wheels on the transom so no problem hauling it up slips with engine attached.

 

[madabouttheboat]

In my younger days I would regularly manhandle a 2 stroke 15hp which weighed around 34 KG. Now, I find my 27kg 9.8hp 2 stroke a bit much, which is why it sits mostly unused in my garage. My 3.3hp 2 stroke, at just 13kg, is just about right. I have given up the thought of speed for the convenience of lightweight and easiness to handle.

 

[ashtead]

I bought last year a Yamaha 6hp 4 stroke - probably largest I would want - didn’t fancy a trip to Alderney to buy a 2 stroke and hopefully it will be more reliable carb wise than a 3.3 merc. I think our non aluminium quicksilver will take a larger outboard but 6hp seems to move it fine . I guess it might depend on how wet you want to get though .

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I have a Tohatsu 6 hp four stroke, the weight is 25 kg. I can move it from the car onto a dinghy without breaking my back.

 

[KompetentKrew]

My 9.8 2 stroke is the same weight as a much smaller 4 stroke, around 27 kgs. 55kg dinghy has wheels on the transom so no problem hauling it up slips with engine attached.

+1

I have this engine too, and love it. I have it on a Honwave 2.7 IE (airdeck) and it goes straight on the plane no bother.

IMO you should buy @madabouttheboat's one off him and then this thread has solved two people's problems.

 

[Moodysailor]

Agreeing with most of the comments above, 25-ish kg is probably going to be the max, which (no coincidence) is approximately the weight of the average 4/5/6hp 4-stroke OB.

For lifting between house & car, car to dinghy this will be fine, but lifting from dinghy to boat is challenging at this weight, hence the popularity of the smaller o/b's

If budget can stretch, get the 6hp variant as they are exactly the same base engine. We picked up a used 6hp Yam last year for £600, a quick service and new thermostat and she's good as gold so new doesn't have to be your only option. Just gets our Avon 310 airfloor on the plane with 3 adults, so plenty of oomph

If you can get a good one, 2-stroke will allow you to go to around the 10/15hp mark for the same weight, but caveat-emptor - good used 2-stroke engines are normally expensive and get sold quickly for a reason - they are sought after...

 

[Wansworth]

Sack of dog food weighing 20 kilos is a handful for unfit pensioner,without added bending??

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Nice to go fast but don't most areas have a speed limit .

 

[Moodysailor]

Nice to go fast but don't most areas have a speed limit .

We use less fuel with our 6hp at displacement speed than our previous 3.5 (both 4-stroke). We found that the 3.5 was just off max throttle with 2 adults and the dog to move it, whereas the higher torque and aluminium prop on the 6 means the engine is not working as hard. The larger engine is actually benefitting us a harbour-legal speeds.

Of course that all changes when up on the plane, it definitely uses more fuel then!

I was genuinely surprised as I was expecting the 6 to use more fuel all-round.

 

[PaulRainbow]

With a lot of modern 4 strokes the 4/5/6hp models are the same engine. The 4/5 share the same carb', with the 4 having a restrictor and the 6 has a bigger carb. So no difference in weight.

 

[ashtead]

Our solution is to have 2 outboards as while the heavy 4 stroke is fine for 4 people in say 3m rib when sailing with just 2 you can downsize to the small cheaper seago dinghy and old 2 stroke ( that’s the theory once I can fix the carb yet again) on the merc. Does mean a degree of planning on trips but generally as the dinghies store in lockers deflated no real issue . Trickiest part is lowering the 6 he outboard to the dinghy -maybe a crane is answer if alone but not a problem with 2 people really and a spare line attached.

 

[yotter]

Agree with Paul, I bought a 6HP 4 stroke on the basis it weights the same as the 4 or 5. Its the most power with a single cylinder (or was) if you go to 8HP (2 clyinder) , its an extra 10Kg:-(

 

[differentroads]

As a reasonably fit 50 something my 6hp 2 stroke was manageable from the garage to the car and the car to the back of the boat on dry land. But it wasn't much fun and, being prone to bad backs, contributed to stopping me going sailing as often as I wanted. I got myself a grp dinghy and a pair of good oars. Good exercise and helped strengthen my back rather than ruin it?

For your dinghy, whats the minimum hp that will get you on the plane with its normal load? That's the engine I'd be looking at. Any more hp is weight that you just don't need to be lugging about.

Oh, and zipping about on the plane among moorings is effing antisocial to others if they are enjoying the peace and quiet. As a liveaboard I have very strong opinions on the matter! But I respect other people's right to do things their way ?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I am relatively fit, but small and can manage a Mercury 6hp 4 stroke which is around 25Kg empty - I carry if from pushpit to sugar scoop, and plonk it on a RIB - any heavier and I would need a crane.

As @PaulRainbow stated, most 4,5,6Hp 4-stroke engines are the same single cylinder basis so weigh the same, and the next size up jumps to 2 cylinders which adds to the weight. e.g. a jump from 6hp to 8hp on a Mercury 4-stroke adds another 13kg.

If you can find an old 2-stroke then it would be lighter for more hp, but if you go 4-Stroke I'd say 25kg is manageable at sea, 35kg if it's just car boot to boat ....

... but I am not you, so how strong do you feel? Go to a dealer and try picking them up to get a feel for the weight IMO.

 

[scruff]

I pondered similar last season - in the end I kept an eye on Facebook marketplace and picked up a 5hp Mariner 2 stroke. At 20kg it feels pretty light, but I bought it after the boat came out of water so not tested it yet.

I really fancied a 9.9-15hp as that would make the 7nm up the firth of lorne motor between summer mooring/winter boat yard easier for car logistics, but at 33-37kg (tohatsu not withstanding) getting it from tender onto pushpit every day would be a right pain.