Having my Rib now stored in France, I'm now using my old Yamaha 3.2 sib on and around The Dart. It has an 8 hour Evinrude 2 stroke which meets on the plane fine with 2 but struggling to do much with 4 adults.
Thinking about getting a 15 hp replacement.
Do you guys think this will give the power I need?
Will such an engine be handleable, ie in and out of car etc??
I've used a 9.8 probably the same weight as your 8hp (around 26kg) and now use a 15hp 2-stroke (35kg). Outboards around 26kg are a doddle in most situations... the 35-38kg 15hp 2-strokes manageable but slightly more awkward on a slippery slipway or over rocks... but never a problem if you use transom wheels then lift the outboard the shortest distance from car to boat... then the boat becomes your outboard trolley.
Regarding power/performance it is boat dependant but in general there's a huge step up in readiness to plane and maximum speed when upgrading to a 15hp.
Much depends on the size of your adults though... four beefy guys and some kit can make it harder to plane with a 15hp... you only need a slightly heavier SIB with such a load and 20hp is better... if you can lift one ok.
It might be OK with how you want to operate this boat but it's on the small size for 4 adults... wonder what hp it's rated to... you could be maxing it out in all respects... perhaps a larger SIB would be a good starting point?
a 15hp should do what you want my honwave 3.2 airfloor easily pops on the plane with 3 very heavy adults on board. 2 males at 17 stone each and a 14 stone lady
a 15hp should do what you want my honwave 3.2 airfloor easily pops on the plane with 3 very heavy adults on board. 2 males at 17 stone each and a 14 stone lady
