I'm a first timer and am in the process of outfiting my new boat. I puchased a 12'Alpine 365...air floor. I'm looking at a 9.8 Tahatsu 4 stroke motor because of weight issues. though I would love to have a 15hp. My question is can I get an electric start model and use a small motorcycle battery to start the engine...what do you do with the battery on an inflatable...
Thanks for any thoughts
John

John,

There are some battery cases that you can use to protect the boat mainly. I guess my main question is why use an electric start model? The battery will only add weight, cost and the potential for a leak of acid. So why do it? Can't you get a manual start model instead. They are quite reliable.

Also, may I suggest you try to get the larger HP outboard. Heck, even if it means waiting a little longer to get it. It will be worth it. As I said in my initial post, I have a 15HP and feel I would truly prefer more HP from the outboard.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Omar

Omar thanks for the thoughts..You've convinced me not to go with the electric start....I keep looking at outboards in 4 stroke that I can comfortably move around by myself...all the 15's I find run 114lbs+
the 9.9 Tahatsu is at 81 lbs and I think I can move that around pretty well...I hear that Johnson is supposed to come out with something "lighter" in the small engine this fall but no one seems to know for certain when...I got the itch and I need to fish...seems that I may be stuck with the 9,9.
John g