I did agonise over this point for some time. If two-strokes were still available we wouldn't be talking about this but as the powers that be have decided we must have 4-strokes I had to decide between one of the lightest and compact 10HP twin cylinder models available or any number of lowered powered single cylinder outboards. The problem with 4-stroke singles is they vibrate like hell making them quite unpleasant to use. Twins just purr in comparison plus the extra power is quite nice when the time is right. Like much of yachting, the choice was a compromise. If it gets too heavy then there will be a nearly new Suzuki outboard for sale soon!Biggest issue is the weight of the engine. Manhandling 40kg on a pitching stern is going to do someone an injury. Fine on a fine day but not with any swell. It makes me think that a foam or frame insert in the RIB is going to be best, that way RIB and engine come out together, but shifting 40kg of engine off the RIB floor and onto the transom is going to hurt if you have to do it often; would a 5HP be better? About 24kg and would still move that size of RIB very nicely.
Yes I amI would have thought you have 4 options. Pushpit mount as you mentioned (with a lift arm), Foredeck chocks (lift the whole dinghy on spinnaker halyard onto the chocks, motor up and pointing aft), foam insert in the dinghy whilst in the garage (does the packaging it comes in offer a template?) and lastly when doing the ARC ship the lot to meet you in St Lucia. A number of people did this in 09 organised by Peters and May. We did it with windsurfers.
We lift on the foredeck for shortish transits all the time and works well.
Getting excited yet???????![]()