Outboard for a dinghy

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Hi

I have just bought a 2.4m Zodiac dinghy, it will mainly be used on the Thames but I would like the option of taking it to the coast. I can also see my daughter (16) using in control of it.
I had been considering buying an electric outboard but will this be the best option for me? I like the thought of no fumes and the silence of the electric but will it really suit the job?
If anyone has any thoughts on this I would be really grateful.
 
Electric outboards are relatively OK for restricted use on still water, e.g fishing and ferrying people shortish distances. They are not powerful enough to cope with a loaded dinghy being used in choppy weather or for extended recreational use.

A 2.4 Zodiac would be happy with a 6 - 8 hp o/b, which will provide lots of safe fun for a teenager and friends (given a reasonable bit of safety instruction if they haven't done anything previously). There's no electric o/b of comparable power.

Another downside of elecs is the need to trug big batteries around, and then to charge them when they run down. Petrol o/bs 'just" need re-fuelling from cans.
 
"Thrust comparable to 9.9 HP gasoline outboard"
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Yes thrust or static bollard pull. All very well if you just want to pull a static bollard but a totally misleading bit of info otherwise.

If you delve deeper into the techinical specs you will find that particular model (Cruise 4.0R) draws 4000 watts from the battery ( equal to 5.36hp) and delivers 2040watts of propulsive power at the propeller (equal to 2.73 hp)
Given that the power of modern petrol outboards is quoted as power at the propshaft you should be comparing that particular model, which is the most powerful of the Toqeedos, with a 2.5 or 3hp petrol outboard.

As sarabande says electric outboards are Ok for shortish trips at lowish speeds esp if you want near total silence and can readily charge the battery when needed. (remembering that all but the smallest use 24 or 48 volt batteries)
 
the johson/envinrude 9.9hp(2 stroke)
is a decent outboard and easliy converted to 15hp if you need to up graded.
4 stroke are cleaner if you are thinking of the enviro.
 
I'd fit it with a 6hp Mercury 4 stroke, which comes with a remote tank. This will give enough power to safely push the Zodiac around on the plane. It will nicely cope with a bit of chop and would allow you to run the Zodiac in tidal conditions, a sensible distance offshore too. The remote tank will give some cruising distance, otherwise you will be constantly stopping to fill the built in tank, this saves having to carry additional fuel cans. The Merc 4/5/6 hp engines are all identical, except for different carbs, so for the weight of a 4hp you can have 6hp.
 
I have just bought a 2.4m Zodiac dinghy,
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You dont say exactly what type that is but as far as I can see the only 2.4 m Zodiac the Cadet 240 Rollup

If that is so then the max size of engine is 4 HP !

For someone above to suggest a 9.9 uprated to 15 hp is just crazy!

However what ever it is the boat should be marked with the maximum recommended engine power.
 
I agree with VicS.

I have a brand new Airdeck 2.4 Zodiac and the manufacturer definitely recommends no more than 4hp

I run mine with a two stroke Tohatsu 3.5HP, not easy to get on the plane but is reasonable in a in not to dramatic tidal flow.

Use caution to some of the posted replies or seek proper guidance from Zodiac. I bought mine from these people.

CHAS NEWENS MARINE CO LTD.
THE BOATHOUSE,
EMBANKMENT,
PUTNEY. SW15 1LB (Showroom and Registered office)

Tel: 020 8788 4587
Mob: 0780 147 4975
Fax: 020 8780 2339

sales@chastheboat.co.uk

Seek their advice as they are authorised Zodiac dealers.

Hope it helps.
 
TheWhisper said:
Hi

I have just bought a 2.4m Zodiac dinghy, it will mainly be used on the Thames but I would like the option of taking it to the coast. I can also see my daughter (16) using in control of it.
I had been considering buying an electric outboard but will this be the best option for me? I like the thought of no fumes and the silence of the electric but will it really suit the job?
If anyone has any thoughts on this I would be really grateful.
Click to expand...

1) Welcome to the forum but go and find yourself an original/new name!!

2) Unless specified otherwise a 4-5hp motor would be fine - I was able to plane a 2.3 dinghy with a 4 provided I sat towards the front.

3) 4 strokes are noticeably heavier than 2 strokes, so a well looked after 2 stroke would be the best choice if you can find one. Very rare new as they can no longer be sold legally unless they were inside the EU by a recently past date.

4) Electrics are a dead loss due to excessive weight and pathetic power.

Have Fun,

Regards,

Whisper
 
for some reason didnt realise we were talking about such a small dingy.
sorry.
4hp would be ideal.
(the johnson is stll a good engine though!)
 
Try a Honda 2.5

We have a Zodiac 2.4 (the Cadet rollup think its the only one) used to have a 5hp Mariner as I think that was the highest HP rating for the size of dinghy.

The 5HP motor was too heavy & too powerful for such a small dingy - with its flat bottom if you put a good bit of helm & rev on it would just ship water over the sides as it tried to bury itself underwater.

Perhaps it would have been light enough if it was a 2 stroke but we replaced it with the ultra reliable 2.5hp Honda engine which is perfect - my 10 and 12 year old can control it easily, its light to lift on and off & has an integral fuel tank so you can make the most of what little floor space there is.

Just my tuppenceworth

Alan
 
photodog said:
3.3hp Mercury 2 stroke would be my choice ! Bulletproof.

If you are lucky... these guys might even have a new or nearly new one...

http://www.mountbattenboathouse.co.uk/index.html
Click to expand...

Agreed, when compared to the Honda 2.3 it's an easier shape to store, doesn't leak oil, and is 50% more powerful. They're about the same on weight and noise, so the only advantage I can see of the Honda is it burns a bit less fuel, but not really a big issue on a tender outboard.

I've had both, and would choose the 2 stroke every time for a tender.
 
Torqueedo electric outboard

They are expensive but have some real advantages. I use the Travel 401 version on an old Mirror sailing dinghy(10ft). It can push me and a couple of adults around quite happily for a couple of hours in a river/lake situation. With 2 adults on board we get up to 4knots on full speed.

The huge advantage is quietness and low weight (relatively), also they are very easy to switch from forward to reverse, whereas small petrol outboards are not. Having used a petrol 2.5hp previously on the same boat I would go for the electric every time. The 401 is now a superseded model and deals are available.
 
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