Outboard motors

I bought an inflatable dinghy (quicksilver 3100) to take my kid for rides in because I'm sick of paddling the kayak.

I like the wee dinghy. It's cheap and was as new. unused.

The motor is an early 90s 2 stroke 5hp Mercury. It's in good nick, simple wee engine and runs well, but it's not exactly powerful.

I only bought it for going around and around in circles on a flat lake (kid is 2), which it is ideal for. Naturally now I have it I want to do a bit of fishing and maybe get my long mothballed dive gear out.

What am I looking for in an outboard? Can take up to 15hp

One that goes everytime you pull the cord ideally.
Its usually corrosion or lack of oil that kills them.
Look for one that has been in regular use and looked after I guess.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

I bought an inflatable dinghy (quicksilver 3100) to take my kid for rides in because I'm sick of paddling the kayak.

I like the wee dinghy. It's cheap and was as new. unused.

The motor is an early 90s 2 stroke 5hp Mercury. It's in good nick, simple wee engine and runs well, but it's not exactly powerful.

I only bought it for going around and around in circles on a flat lake (kid is 2), which it is ideal for. Naturally now I have it I want to do a bit of fishing and maybe get my long mothballed dive gear out.

What am I looking for in an outboard? Can take up to 15hp

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Mine is a 2.7m fiberglass solid bottom and planes well with 2 people and an Evinrude 8hp. Your 3.1m would do well with a 15hp if lugging it around isn't a problem.

If you can find one that has seen mainly fresh water is good. Try marine shops in places like Taupo turangi Rotorua

If you are considering new the parsun brand is cheap and reliable. We sell them at work and have very few problems with them and they are very well priced.
Might be worth considering comparing the new price of one of these to a second hand other brand

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

If you are considering new the parsun brand is cheap and reliable. We sell them at work and have very few problems with them and they are very well priced.
Might be worth considering comparing the new price of one of these to a second hand other brand

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A Chinese knock off of the Yamaha. We used them off Cairns for years and never had a problem.

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Originally Posted by outlander

A Chinese knock off of the Yamaha. We used them off Cairns for years and never had a problem.

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yep... thats them. The only spares we bother keeping on the shelf is impellors which is a service item anyway as they just don't seem to give any problems.

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Originally Posted by mimms2

Suzuki run some pretty lightweight motors now days. I spose all brands do but they're the ones I have exp with.
I like two stroke simplicity, and they're lighter per HP.
four obviously quieter and no concerns about mixing fuel.

Just cos your hull CAN take 15, doesn't mean you should. I'd go 2/3rds that, 10. Which will be a good compromise of power and weight, especially if you're sitting fishing, a big donk hauling the transom down is no good.

Ideally, find a boat forum, or talk to people who have your hull, Nd see what works for them.

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The weight of the average 9.9 hp is 39kg and a 15 hp is 41kg. Two kg or 5hp isn't going to haul your transom down.

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Originally Posted by outlander

The weight of the average 9.9 hp is 39kg and a 15 hp is 41kg. Two kg or 5hp isn't going to haul your transom down.

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Specs say 15hp or 55kg, 55kg seemed absurdly heavy.

Used to use 15hp on a wee allow dinghy as a coach boat when rowing. Went well, it's what I'm familiar with.

Pretty handy wee boat with just me and bub but won't plane with the wife in the bow.

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Originally Posted by berg243

18hp tohatsu then, great motor and will take the abuse i mean the love and care you will lavish on it.:XD:

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If does sound like my kind of engine.

I'm 100% with @veitnamcam on this. Starting is top priority. This little 5hp starts first pull. Got that going for it.

Power is also a safety feature. Good to be able to beat wind and current.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

Specs say 15hp or 55kg, 55kg seemed absurdly heavy.

Used to use 15hp on a wee allow dinghy as a coach boat when rowing. Went well, it's what I'm familiar with.

Pretty handy wee boat with just me and bub but won't plane with the wife in the bow.

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Is it a solid bottom RIB? They go on the plane much easier built like that. I still recommend the 15hp as you'll have power to spare and that's a great thing.

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Originally Posted by outlander

Is it a solid bottom RIB? They go on the plane much easier built like that. I still recommend the 15hp as you'll have power to spare and that's a great thing.

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Agreed. This is a soft bottomed boat with an inflatable keel.

I'm quite impressed with it. I'm. Advised by the boat shop I got it from not to roll it up a lot as the seams will go. But as a boat to get choppered into Fiordland with a total weight plus motor of about 60kg, it's ideal.

Once up and planing it does not get blow around like I expected. Even with the big fluffy inflatable bow up in the air it handled strong wind fine.

It's hard to stay on the plane while turning with the wee 5hp and if you turn too fast the wake drops and it cavitates and comes to a stop in a hurry.

I think the hull will handle a 15hp well, then I will put it away to roll up and find a slight larger one with a rigid hull.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

Agreed. This is a soft bottomed boat with an inflatable keel.

I'm quite impressed with it. I'm. Advised by the boat shop I got it from not to roll it up a lot as the seams will go. But as a boat to get choppered into Fiordland with a total weight plus motor of about 60kg, it's ideal.

Once up and planing it does not get blow around like I expected. Even with the big fluffy inflatable bow up in the air it handled strong wind fine.

It's hard to stay on the plane while turning with the wee 5hp and if you turn too fast the wake drops and it cavitates and comes to a stop in a hurry.

I think the hull will handle a 15hp well, then I will put it away to roll up and find a slight larger one with a rigid hull.

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That's sound thinking. Personally, I wouldn't hang a 15 off it after what you describe. Rigid hull is the way to go.

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Originally Posted by outlander

That's sound thinking. Personally, I wouldn't hang a 15 off it after what you describe. Rigid hull is the way to go.

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I like the look of the two stroke 15hp options. Surpringly cheap new.

I used a rib in Fiordland in lake Te Anau for work. Definitely seaworthy we craft.

I have a 15hp Suzi on my 3.1 alloy RIB and it's excellent. No problem popping up on plane instantly with 2 plus gear and it gets up to 40+ kph in flat water. Motor is 33kg. Much better having more power than you need than struggling to plane in chop.

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Originally Posted by gimp

I have a 15hp Suzi on my 3.1 alloy RIB and it's excellent. No problem popping up on plane instantly with 2 plus gear and it gets up to 40+ kph in flat water. Motor is 33kg. Much better having more power than you need than struggling to plane in chop.

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Precisely. Nice set up. We used to wakeboard behind a 15hp.

Will get a rib with bigger engine on a trailer and keep this dingy for what if is. A dinghy.

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

I might be overthinking that last bit but... Either the boat isn't up to par or you're not long for this earth when she reads that :thumbsup:

I've always run the policy of looking at the max HP rated, then having a look at the engine options in that size and then picking the lightest of what's available with the proviso that if it has a dog reputation and recommendation is to avoid it gets avoided.

Always a problem with boats, you always need to jam just one more xxxx on, and usually you end up without being able to plane the thing. More HP is never missed, but going for an engine 2/3rds of what you could...

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It makes a difference where my 2 year old stands. To get up on plane takes about 30-50m and I have to shift my weight right to the front as far as I can. Wee girl is maybe 18kg and it helps if she stands in the bow.

With more than my (admittedly 120kg) mass, it battles.

Specs say max load 640kg which is hilarious.

I like a boat to get up on plane in the shortest distance possible. You can always throttle back. I don't need full throttle to stay on plane with this 5hp

These 15hp two strokes are appealing as they seem light. Will go look at specs.

we used a 6hp 4stroke merc for years on the 13' tinny...it was great but top speed was 20-23kmph depending if just me or me and anything else...we finnally bit bullet and bought 15hp 2stroke merc.....40ish kmph with 2people and two dogs AND believe it or not will get boat LOADED TO GUNNELS up on plane....my balls werent big enough to keep it up there,3 guys packs,guns etc it sure scared the shit out of me that it would still pop it up.
we paid under 2k for the 15 2nd hand.....and both mercs have been super reliable to start....they start easier on 91 octane but will give more boogy with high octane.....try some of bps 98 in your wee motor....you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

we used a 6hp 4stroke merc for years on the 13' tinny...it was great but top speed was 20-23kmph depending if just me or me and anything else...we finnally bit bullet and bought 15hp 2stroke merc.....40ish kmph with 2people and two dogs AND believe it or not will get boat LOADED TO GUNNELS up on plane....my balls werent big enough to keep it up there,3 guys packs,guns etc it sure scared the shit out of me that it would still pop it up.
we paid under 2k for the 15 2nd hand.....and both mercs have been super reliable to start....they start easier on 91 octane but will give more boogy with high octane.....try some of bps 98 in your wee motor....you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

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That's impressive. Sort of what I am looking for now. A little alloy hulled rib that can take two guys and gear accross Te Anau or Manapouri would be cool.

Also good for diving off East Coast (SI) coastal reefs.

The appetite for fish from the two girls here is boundless. Current little dinghy will be used to lay a mullet net.

I should note I had an 8hp Yammy before the 15 (both 2 stroke) and it would plane well with just me but a bit marginal, the 15 is much better
The rig
Attachment 154078

NZ from... a wee way out...
Attachment 154079

I can get a brand new 2 Stroke 15hp Suzuki for $3100

This surprises me. Seems very cheap. 33kg motor.

Thinking I will actually stick a 15hp on this hull and just use it. Upgrade the hull later.

Time to sell some guns I don't use.

I got mine for 2800 brand new, keep an eye out for deals, they seem to go for about that reasonably regularly

I'm thinking about one of these small and almost an outboard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCDQHvJcYA

Had a new 8hp Merc on my 3.6m Aakron....but planing with more than 1 person was a mission...Replaced it with a new Merc Super 15 (again 2 stroke) when I bought a road trailer, and planed easily whatever the load. Sper 15 was 44kg from memory so it stayed on the transom. The 8hp was 26kg so much more 'portable'.

Adjusted trim on the motor just slightly and inflated a little tighter and I can now turn on the plane without engine cavitation.