What size tender for 2hp outboard is possible?

[cmedsailor]

I have a 2hp honda BF2D outboard motor (4-stroke, air cooled) an a 2 meter Honda marine tender. Often I need to use it together with my wife and two kids (4 and 6 years old). The whole combination is of course too slow but, anyway, it does the job is supposed to do.
The question is this: The tender, after a lot of repairs, is becoming slowly to the end of its life!! I need to replace it with something slightly bigger because the combination 2 adults and 2 kids cannot change for some years (I could not leave any of the kids alone on the beach or boat!!!). However, I am keeping the outboard as it will be a waste of money to change it (it’s only 4 years old and in good condition). How big could I go with that little outboard? A 2.5m tender sounds wonderful but could the outboard push it with so many people in it? With such as small horse power to push it does it really matter if it is flat bottom or with this “air V-floor”?
Thanks

 

[ChrisE]

I have just such an outboard and it happily pushes both our 2.8m Avon and 3.7m Zodiac fastroller along. Both of the rubbadubs have inflatable V floors.

 

[leomagill]

I have just replaced my old 2.6metre inflatable with a 2.4 metre inflatable and find it slower with two aboard using the same engine than the bigger one, I guess it digs in the water deeper.

 

[grafozz]

i use a yamaha 2 hp 2 stroke on my yam 310 s and it does very well. 3100mm and airdeck . it refuses to use any fuel and the motor is nice and light to put back onto mothership, an important point in my eyes.

 

[Talbot]

I pushed my 30ft cat with the 2hp 2 stroke Yamaha when I had engine problems - engine got a bit hot but did the business.

 

[retsina]

I have a 2 hp 4 stroke Honda outboard 1995 model, on a new 3m inflatable tender with a V air deck. will push along the tender with 5 people and a 9 stone Rottweiller with no problem. The V air deck makes a difference.

 

[yoda]

Mine pushes an Avon Redshank (v.big) with ease so just about anything you want should be OK. An air or hard floor will help.

 

[cmedsailor]

You know, from all your answers I have a feeling that the biggest the tender the better it is. My tender wish is only 2 meter gets "sunk" because of the weight and feels unconfortable.
Thank you for your replies. The decision now will be the biggest can fit on the deck of my sailing boat. V floor as well.

 

[alant]

Used a 2.2hp old Mercury on a heavy drascombe dabber & pushed this thru Hurst against the tide.