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Much will depend on how the boat is used. I launch and recover solo far more often than with assistance. Dragging a boat, even on wheels, across a soft beach or up a steep slipway, ore even getting the wheels to move when there is mud below the waterline, can be hard work.
I also sometimes launch my small SIB down a drop — for example over the side of a canal towpath or mooring, up to a metre drop. In such circumstances, a motor I can easily carry from the garage to the car becomes a major challenge. My smaller 2T engine is a real boon.
I have had some of my longest trips and best adventures with a small engine, liftable with one hand, easily passed up or down when launching or recovering.
However, there is no doubt that when the conditions are right and you want to cover the distance fast, a big engine is the thing to have.
A sack truck is a fine thing on a firm surface, less so on sand, mud or pebbles.
With my sailing dinghy, I've spent 3 years perfecting a launch and recovery technique that means I am never worried that I won't be able to face it at the end of a long day. It makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of the whole trip. My current SIB is the smallest I've ever had, but the ease of launching and recovery makes it the most relaxing to use.
However, if you'll be launching on shallow gradients, on firm surfaces, and perhaps with the help of a crew, maybe your requirements will be different from mine. We are all in this for different, if overlapping, reasons.
Whatever you get, make sure you enjoy using it.
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spy-sea-one
but it's as simple as willk's golden rule posted here sometime back and summarised thus:
