what size outboard for an avon?

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cyberpunx

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hi there i would also like some advice on what size of engine i should get for my avon dinghy it's roughtly 11feet long it's the redshank.
anyone please point me in the right direction.?
thanks
p.s most of the time there are only 3or 4 people in it although it does have a british kite mark for 7.
just to give you an idea.
cheers again
 
This is a how long is a piece of string question. 2hp will do it, an old Seagull will also do. Both will get you to & fro and be light to lift, store & carry.

If you want more speed, 4 will be faster, and provided you have a solid transom (I think you do) you could probably use a 5-6hp, but swopping from boat to dinghy, or dinghy to car becomes more of a struggle.
 
If it is the "round tail" version, then the outboard should not be too heavy or the "transom" will droop. Seagull 40+, Honda 2.3, Tohatsu 2.2 all adequate...but don't expect to go particularly quickly.
 
your right about the transom drooping it was and i could not turn the one i had on from left to right without it hitting the bracket. that was a suzi told it was a 4.5hp but the serial number said dt7-1238something.
so i was thinking it was maybe a 7.5?? anyideas?
 
I have an old Avon catalogue but not old enough to list the Readshank. Redseal (10' 3") was the largest still inproduction in 1991.

However they give 4 hp as the maximum for a Redseal.

maybe a Redshank would take 5hp but thats the absolute maximum I'd think.

A Seagull 40+ would be just about the minimum I reckon. They were rated at 2 - 3 hp.

Check what shaft length you'll need. Measure the height of the top of the bracket above the bottom of the boat. If its around 15" then a standard (aka short) shaft will do but if it is nearer 20" (unlikely) you'll need a longshaft.

Consider the weight for handling. Expect some big variations between makes.
 
the Red xx series were usually quoted at up to 3.5HP.

I bought a Redstart with 4.5 Johnson on it and it was crazy ! But it never drooped tail as some suggest, bracket used to tuck a few degrees under when throttle opened ... but nothing more.

I run that and bigger on a Johnson 3.3 and other times on a Mariner 2 ... no problem. The larger should be fine with 3.5hp possibly up to 5hp. But in the larger size - beware of weight of the engine ...
 
I used to use a Honda BF2 2hp four stroke. It wasn't fast but it was adequate at pushing my Redcrest with me, two teenagers and a good bit of kit on board. The river gets choppy but my journeys were nearly always with tide and I was happy with the engine until the gearbox failed.

I now have a Tohatsu 3.5 two-stroke which is a much more powerful engine, weighs about the same and just as frugal on petrol use.

However, the roundtail of the Redcrest does droop if the throttle is opened up, so the full engine power is not available which is OK but really a 2.5hp would be better.

The Tohatsu though just loves our solid 8ft TEPCO tender which it pushes along very well indeed and to which it is much better suited- the stern of that dinghy does nevertheless still 'squat' at anything abover 50% throttle so we need to pay attention to level trimming which can mean a wet passenger in the bow.

So, in summary I reckon you need not go bigger than 2.5hp or maybe 3hp tops.
 
A 2.2 Mercury, used to push my Drasconbe Dabber thru' Hurst against tide, so it should be OK on an Avon. Small is beautiful, so SWMBO tells me. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Think most up to 3.5, are from the same factory, rebadged for different manufacturers, or used to be.


The main consideration IMHO, is to have one which can be started in 'neutral', then put into drive. I've had some which when started, went directly into drive & they were a pain.
 
I've got a 2.5 hp 2-stroke Mariner for my Redshank and it's fine. The transom flexes a bit at full welly but it pushes it along OK. I've only ever used it with two adults and some kit on board though so don't know how it would cope with a full load.
I would not like to try and handle a heavier engine than the Mariner - mounting it is tricky, especially if it's a bit choppy.
Morgan
 
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