Scillies dinghy engine advice

[BlueChip]

We'll be making our annual attempt to get to the Scillies in a few weeks time, this time I hope we will not be beaten once again by gales and spend yet another week in Falmouth.
If we make it this would be our first time, so I don't really know what to expect as far as distances and conditions from the anchorages to shore.
There will be four of us on board with a 3.2m inflatable tender.
For normal cruising we carry a 2HB Honda 4 stroke o/b which is normally perfectly adequate, but in any sort of strong wind, tide or swell will struggle with 4 people.
I'm wondering if this will be man enough or should I take our heavy 5hp o/b which has sat in my garage for the past few years?

 

[CaptainBob]

Suspect 1hp will make little difference, will it?

We are also waiting for a window in a couple of weeks time so fingers crossed for both of us.

You have a larger crew than us but we will be sans outboard completely and I'm sure we'll be fine so I guess you will be too with whichever engine you settle on.

See you there hopefully... Or in Falmouth.

 

[BlueChip]

Suspect 1hp will make little difference, will it?

We are also waiting for a window in a couple of weeks time so fingers crossed for both of us.

You have a larger crew than us but we will be sans outboard completely and I'm sure we'll be fine so I guess you will be too with whichever engine you settle on.

See you there hopefully... Or in Falmouth.

It's 3hp difference actually.
In Falmouth last week in the strong NW winds, crossing the harbour 2 up and a dog we could certainly have done with the larger engine.
See you in the Scillies.

 

[CaptainBob]

In my excitement to say 'me too' I misread

See you there hopefully! If we survive tonight's gale in Falmouth.

 

[Scillypete]

When you make it over pick each anchorage/mooring spot according to the weather and shelter provided, don't stay on exposed and uncomfortable moorings just because they feel secure and you should find the little 'un will do fine. Alternatively you could just carry four paddles and get everyone to do their bit.

 

[TQA]

The little Honda eggbeater will do just fine.

 

[Boathook]

..................... Alternatively you could just carry four paddles and get everyone to do their bit.

I've done that in the past. The speed heading ashore is good once it gets close to closing time !

 

[RIBW]

We'll be making our annual attempt to get to the Scillies in a few weeks time, ..... should I take our heavy 5hp o/b which has sat in my garage for the past few years?

There is another reason that causes us to take our 5HP instead of the 3HP - it uses a separate fuel tank of much greater capacity and avoids the possibility of running short of/looking for fuel in the islands.

Last trip (crewing for someone else) we used a 2.5HP and against a spring tide in New Grimsby Sound it had to work hard with three up!

Have a great trip - I hope to get there later this year.

Cheers
Bob