Engine size

[Markrobo]

Hey guys
I’m brand new to this so bare with me
I’ve bought my first rib it’s a 13ft bison marine and I’m looking to put a 12ho Orca outboard on it. The boat came yesterday and the boat weight is 120kg in total with the aluminium floor ect. Will a 12hp give me plenty of power.
I’m looking to use it for lakes and sea also when I travel down to Cornwall and place down that way.

Thank you in advance guys

[Steve509926]

Hi Mark, it is a SIB not a RIB.

120kg is very heavy even for a 13ft Ally floor sib.
I've looked on line and the specs for a 13ft Bison reads 86kg and that is on the heavy side.

Will a 12hp OB give you enough power? It all depends on what your load is. One, two, three people, how much kit, how much fuel.
12hp will get you moving, but I doubt it will plane with any more than two people. No experience of an Orca OB, but they are cheap, are they cheap for a reason?

[Markrobo]

Hey Stevo yes my mistake it is a 14 and I only went off the package weight when it came yesterday on a pallet. There will only be 2 people and very little kit being hauled about in it really mate

[Steve509926]

4.2 meter Bison is listed at 95kg. IMO I think it will be underpowered with a 12hp.

I have a 3.6m sib at 58kg, one up with a 15hp merc, and at times I wish it was a 20hp.

[Markrobo]

Oh I see. Maybe I’ll have to go for the 15 then. Thank you for the info mate. Really appreciate it

[Steve509926]

If you are thinking about a 15hp you may as well get a 20hp.
Depending upon the make there is very little difference in weight and a lot more power for not much more money.
As I said, no experience of the Orca, I'd do a search on here to get peoples thoughts and opinions.

[Fenlander]

Agree with Steve... a 95kg 4.2m SIB is a lump and would usually be partnered with a 20-25hp unless just for inland river use when anything 6hp and above will move it nicely at river speed limits.

Also agree if getting a 4-stroke 20s weigh the same as 15s so a better choice to go bigger.

Finally agree with treating an Orca purchase carefully. It may be better to put that money towards a used mainstream model a few years old particularly if it allows an upsize.