Outboard options for a 2.9M RIB

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MikeJ42

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I have a Ribeye 290 tender. Its very heavy cos it has a double skinned hull. My Mariner 4 horse barely pushes it at displacement speed so I need a new outboard. However, I also want to be able to lift it off cos nasty folk nick them.

My mates Tohatsu 9.9 2-stroke pushes her along beautifully, but he wont sell it to me. So I am stuck with new 4 stroke options. I toyed with the idea of the Selva 9.9 (just 30kgs) but I have heard bad things.

What's the smallest and lightest 4-stroke I can get away with? The RIB just needs to plane with 2 people. Recommendations please?
 
Might be worth noting that the late model Merc/Mariner/Tohatsu 4/5/6 HP 4 strokes are all the same engine. Different paint and decals for the "makes", different carbs for the HP.

My 310 Zodiac (also a heavy blighter) will plane with two onboard with a 6 HP Merc. Wouldn't want a lot of kit onboard too though.
 
PaulGooch said:
Might be worth noting that the late model Merc/Mariner/Tohatsu 4/5/6 HP 4 strokes are all the same engine. Different paint and decals for the "makes", different carbs for the HP.

My 310 Zodiac (also a heavy blighter) will plane with two onboard with a 6 HP Merc. Wouldn't want a lot of kit onboard too though.
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Interesting. You get a 310 dual skinned RIB in the plane with a 6hp 4-stroke?? I didnt think a 4-stroke would have the low rev grunt to break from the water. Perhaps I dont need such a big engine?
 
MikeJ42 said:
Interesting. You get a 310 dual skinned RIB in the plane with a 6hp 4-stroke?? I didnt think a 4-stroke would have the low rev grunt to break from the water. Perhaps I dont need such a big engine?
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It's not a RIB Mike, it's inflatable, with an air deck. But, it does just plane with two, not much extra kit though.

Not sure how the weight compares with yours. I'd be inclined to look into the Tohatsu posted earlier though. Main point of my comment was to point out the 6HP weighs the same as a 4HP.
 
ash12 said:
Wierd. My old valiant D300 would plane with a 4hp 2stroke, quite well too.
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Valiant's are very light RIBs. I have a Valiant D250 and it would plane with one person and a 6hp 4 stroke. With 2 persons it would not plane until I put a Tohatsu 9.8 on the back. Then it went like a rocket :D
 
I have an Avon 310 rib with fibreglass hull and that weighs quite a bit. I can juuuuuust get it to plane with a 4hp Tohatsu with just me on board. With an 8hp you should have no problems at all. My previous Tohatsu 8hp did just that on an Avon 280 with no problem and flew along even with a youngster on board.

As you can see I like Tohatsu's!!
 
DAKA said:
Ive also got a 2 stroke 9.8 hp tohatsu, they are perfect , as the tank is separate it feels the same weight as the 4 hp with full integral tank.

Mines not for sale but there is one here with only a few hours on it.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PAA20385
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+1 for the 9.8 Tohatsu, I also have one, it's the perfect outboard for this application. Used to get on the plane with my 3.1 airdeck with two fat blokes on board, no problem.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
crazy4557 said:
I have an Avon 310 rib with fibreglass hull and that weighs quite a bit. I can juuuuuust get it to plane with a 4hp Tohatsu with just me on board. With an 8hp you should have no problems at all. My previous Tohatsu 8hp did just that on an Avon 280 with no problem and flew along even with a youngster on board.

As you can see I like Tohatsu's!!
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I had a Bonwitco 320 double skinned fiberglass dinghy for the kids (and I) to play with, years ago.
It was very heavy for its size but flew with a 6hp 2str. on the back.

If it is necessary to remove the engine regularly then IMHO a 4str. 8hp will be on the limit for handleability. The OP may of course be a weightlifter and so can ignore my thoughts on the matter.
 
neale said:
Valiant's are very light RIBs. I have a Valiant D250 and it would plane with one person and a 6hp 4 stroke. With 2 persons it would not plane until I put a Tohatsu 9.8 on the back. Then it went like a rocket :D
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Yea put the 9.9 merc on it and it would take off of waves quite easily. Not the best ribs though, had it for 4 years and the rubber seals around the sponsons and hull were starting to leak water. Sold it with the boat.
 
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