New Member with Talamex 350

Talamex350 · 02 November 2024, 09:41

Hello everyone,
I came across your forum while looking for advice on our inflatable boat and motor. My wife and I come from Bielefeld in Germany and are just the two of us riding a Talamex Aero 350 (46kg). We have a Yamaha 9.9 jmhs 4 stroke. gradient 8.5 = 26 kmh at 5550 Pitch 7.5 = 26 kmh at 6070. Yamaha recommends 5000-6000, which is why we use the 8.5 propeller. Unfortunately the engine weighs 42 kg. That's why we bought another Yamaha 8 hp 2-stroke with 27 kg. he helps 7.5= 22 kmh at 5180 6.5= 22 kmh at 5780. So we use 7.5 propellers. Yamaha says 4500-5500.
Our considerations are whether it makes sense to give up both engines and look for a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke. it would be lighter than the Yamaha 8 and just as powerful as the 9.9 4 stroke. With the boat we made the mistake of taking the Talamex and not the zodiac 350. the zodiac would be 4 kg lighter and larger inside. the rear mirror is further back. I would prefer a cadet 325 because of the floor. but that's not easy to find. Do you have any advice, what would you do? Neither of us is in good health, so it has to be easy.
Kind regards and have a nice day, Mirko

Fenlander · 02 November 2024, 13:45

Hello and welcome to the forum.

You seem to have gathered some very useful data on the two outboard sizes and different props, far better than guessing or wondering. Where do you use your boat? River, lakes, sea?

Like you, as an older guy myself, weight is crucial so I've looked into and/or experienced many options in the SIB and outboard sizes you mention.

My air floor SIB weighs 43kg and we use two outboards. A 15hp 2-stroke Yamaha at 37kg and a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke like you mention. The difference in weight between the Tohatsu and your Yamaha 8hp is not worth worrying about, in fact if you put them both on scales they may weigh the same. I've found makers declared weights are often a kg or so different to their actual weight so don't worry about 26 vs 27kg.

We usually refer to speed in kts but converting to km/h we get 28km/h with our Tohatsu 9.8 carrying 12l fuel, kit, small dog and two people. We previously used a Mariner 9.9hp on the same boat and the speed was near identical.

The standard 8.5" pitch on the Tohatsu 9.8 wasn't quite right and we've found it better with a 7.5" pitch. Not so much the top speed but the responsiveness getting on the plane.

However while I can still lift it I'll mostly use the Yamaha 15hp 2-stroke because at 37kg it is manageable and gives a more relaxed cruise plus much better response to work through a lively sea.

I don't think changing the SIB to gain just a few kg is worthwhile. If your air floor comes out the best weight saving is to pack and carry the SIB with it out. Doing that brings the main boat pack weight down to 35kg for us.

Talamex350 · 02 November 2024, 14:12

Thank you very much for your answer.
Sorry for the wrong unit. So with the 8 hp we achieve 12 knots, with the 9.9 hp 14 knots. Although it is very difficult to get into gliding motion with the 8 HP Yamaha. the 9.9 HP does this better.
Before the 350 air floor boat we had a Talamex 300. So we couldn't even get into planing with the 9.9 HP. the 3.5m boat runs better. That's also the reason why we don't want a Zodiac 310. It's much easier, but I'm afraid things will go worse again. because of the engine, the 9.9 hp weighs 42 kg, but the 9.8 hp of the Tohatsu would be great. otherwise the Yamaha 8 HP is also good.
almost like new has 5 operating hours. especially since I've read a lot of good things about the Tohatsu here in the forum. We usually travel on a canal, rarely on the river Weser, and on vacation on a lake, the Müritz.
Best regards Mirko

Fenlander · 02 November 2024, 15:55

You have obviously trialled your boat at maximum speeds but is speed important to you? Surely the canals and lakes are speed limited?

I have used an 8hp on my SIB too. Similar top speed to you and as you say can be hard to get to plane in the first place. But that Yamaha 8hp 2-stroke is a really solid motor so if you were happy with its performance I'd think of sticking with it.

Talamex350 · 02 November 2024, 16:06

You're right, of course, you don't drive at top speed all the time. but with the 8 hp we are at the limit of sliding. On the Weser you are allowed 35 kmh (14kn), Müritz 25 kmh (19kn).
That's why I'm considering the Tohatsu 9.8 HP 2-stroke. Of course, we don't know whether 2-stroke engines will be banned at some point. In any case, thank you very much.

Then I'll leave everything as it is for now. With the Zodiac 350 I could only save 4 kg, the Tohatsu would have 1.8 hp more than the Yamaha 8. a lovely evening,
best regards Mirko

Steve509926 · 02 November 2024, 19:59

Hi Mirko, I know exactly what you are feeling. The performance of the 9.9hp is where you want to be but with the weight of your 8hp. I'm guessing your 8hp is hard work to keep on the plane, one minute your planning the next minute you've fallen off the plane. You've got an itch now that probably won't go away until you have scratched it.
You will probably use your 9.9 less and less as you have said it is getting a bit too heavy, so will you be happy with using your 8hp when you feel you want that little bit more performance?
Personally I'd go for it, find a mint 9.8 Tohatsu, life is too short to think maybe/what if.

Talamex350 · 02 November 2024, 21:27

The consideration is also whether a Zodiac Cadet 310 Aero will glide as well as the 350 does now. It would be very light at 35 kg, but only 155cm wide instead of the current 170cm.
With the 300 Talamex it was really impossible to plan, even with the 9.9 hp. If 3.50m remains anyway, we can at least keep the boat. especially since I've already read here in another thread that 3.50/3.80 run better than the shorter boats. because the larger boat is not as deep in the water.

Steve509926 · 02 November 2024, 21:34

IMO I don't think it would be a good idea to change both the OB and your sib at the same time. I would keep the 3.5 and see how it goes.

Talamex350 · 06 November 2024, 23:14

Thank you for your good advice. I also tend to keep the 3.5m boat. because the 3.10m would be too narrow and wobbly. My wife thinks the current 350 is significantly better than the 300 before.
Only the weight (35 kg) speaks for the Zodiac Cadet 310.

Fenlander · 08 November 2024, 10:42

Good decision, it's surprising just how much more roomy and safe that extra 0.5m feels.

Talamex350 · 18 February 2025, 21:22

Hello everyone,
My wife and I would like a lighter boat so that we can hopefully go out spontaneously more often.

the current Talamex 350 with air floor weighs 46 kg. now we consider:
1. Honwave 32 39kg
2. Zodiac Cadet 310 35kg
3. Zodiac Cadet 350 42kg.
The engine we still have is the Yamaha 9.9 Jmhs 41kg and the Yamaha 8D 27kg.
Although I would prefer a Tohatsu 9.8 26kg. Do you have any tips before we spend a lot of money again?

Steve509926 · 18 February 2025, 22:24

Do you separate the airdeck/seats from the boat or do you pack it all in the same bag?
If you carry it separately, I would think the sib will weigh around 40kg and the airdeck/seats around 6kg.
40kg for your current sib (albeit split) is nearly the same as the 39kg for a T32. However the T32 will probably perform much better with your smaller 8hp Yam
A 4kg saving for the Cadet 350 may make a difference, but is it a significant saving. Only you can answer that one.
I was under the impression from #3 & #9 that you thought the 310 was too narrow and you had discounted it.

Fenlander · 18 February 2025, 23:31

By far the greatest useful weight saving would be losing 15kg by going from your heavy Yamaha 9.9 to a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke and that should prove an acceptable performance compared to the Yamaha 8hp plus retain the more roomy SIB.

Talamex350 · 19 February 2025, 05:04

Thank you for your help. Yes, it is true that we switched from a 3m to a 3.5m. The problem is we can't park a trailer. we lift it onto a trailer and pull it up the slip with tail wheels. date it should be easier and simpler. We don't combine it. the weight is always with air base. Best regards

Talamex350 · 19 February 2025, 05:42

Do you really think things will work better with the honwave 32? because with the 3m Talamex air floor it was worse than now with the 3.5m. both with air floor.

Steve509926 · 19 February 2025, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talamex350

Thank you for your help. Yes, it is true that we switched from a 3m to a 3.5m. The problem is we can't park a trailer. we lift it onto a trailer and pull it up the slip with tail wheels. date it should be easier and simpler. We don't combine it. the weight is always with air base. Best regards

I am a little confused. Is it a boat trailer or a small trailer just to transport the packed away sib?
Is your problem when you are pulling your sib back up the slip, is that when you are struggling with the weight?

Talamex350 · 19 February 2025, 10:14

We transport the boat on a normal car trailer. we always have to raise it. However, our slip point is also very steep, where we always have to pull the boat up. That's why it would be much better to save weight.

Fenlander · 19 February 2025, 11:59

You said above... we lift it onto a trailer and pull it up the slip with tail wheels...

As with Steve I need to understand exactly how you are transporting.

Do you have the boat inflated on a proper boat trailer at home and then disconnect that trailer from the car at the slipway and push the trailer by hand with boat on down the slipway?

Or is the trailer a normal cargo/camping trailer where you inflate the boat near the slipway and launch it using transom wheels?

Or is the trailer a cargo type big enough to carry the boat inflated and is that what you have to lift it onto after pulling up the slipway on transom wheels?

Or is it some other combination of ways to handle the boat? A photo if you have any from when you are at the slipway would help.

Talamex350 · 19 February 2025, 16:11

Unfortunately I don't have a picture at the moment. the boat is always inflated. we don't let the air out. It's really about the problem of pulling the boat out of the water with the engine. We are no longer in good health. That's why the question was whether a Cadet 310 Aero, as an example, would be easier to handle.

Steve509926 · 19 February 2025, 16:26

I doubt a few kg in sib weight would make that much of a difference if you are struggling to pull your sib back up the slipway.
Obviously the big weight saving would be, as Fenlander has said, changing your OB from a very heavy 4s 9.9hp to a much lighter 9.8hp 2s Tohatsu.
I couple of things I would advise:-
Unload everything from your sib before you start pulling it back up the slipway.
Fit the largest diameter transom wheels you can.
If you do buy a much lighter 9.8 Tohatsu (or if using your lighter 8hp) take the outboard off at the bottom of the slipway and carry it up the slipway separately, or use an outboard trolley.