New Member with Talamex 350

[Talamex350]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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