poll...sort of...tell us length of boat & size of outboard
just as the title says and for the fun of it.
1. What's the lenght of your inflatable? (please disclose if it's a RIB)
2. What HP is your outboard rated?
3. Are you happy with that combination?
So, I'll start with mine...
1. 12' 6" Seaeagle
2. 15 HP Mercury short shaft
3. _Yes, it's good for the intended use, but I think a bit more power would've been nice, say like a 20, maybe a 25. Oh, and while dreaming about it, why not a long shaft. The short shaft cavitates every so often. Need to be careful with the trimming.
I have an 2006 11 foot Saturn (SD330). Love it. Got it in March of 2006 and used it 4-5 times weekly.
I put a 3.5 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke engine on it. I put that size engine on it for multiple reasons. First, I don't want to run races in the boat....I use my big boat to go fast and long distances. I can put the 3.5 in a "formed" space under my aft seating area of the big boat specifically built for that size engine. I can put the engine on or off the boat using one hand (it weighs 23 pounds). But most of all....I can go forever on a gallon of gas.
Having said all that, it would be nice to go just a bit faster sometimes in open water.
I have a 11ft 97 Mercury Quicksilver with a 15hp 2stk. Mercury motor of the same vintage. I love it and use it about 3 times a week in the Rivers, Lakes, Delta & San Franciso Bay surounding where I live. I also have a Hydrofoil install and I stand by the preformace of this part as it is the best upgrade you can make on a inflatable. It planes almost instantly (about 1/4 trottle 5-6 knots), with a top speed of about 24mph and remain on plane at slow speeds and get better fuel mileage. I'm planning in the future to get a 4stk. and at that time I will upgrade to a 20-25hp for a little more top speed and to help out with the weight of my 3 dogs(85+lbs. each) that sometimes join my wife and I.