Inflatable Dinghy

[PartsMan]

I have a 10' inflatable dinghy with a 2 stroke 7.5 hp engine. Most of the use is with 2 adults in a no wake river enjoying the scenery. I would like a quieter engine and I am looking for a 4 stroke motor. 

Questions:

1) Is a 4 stroke motor that much quieter than a 2 stroke?
2) What is the smallest motor I can buy and still get on plane?

[Rinker342]

I have a 10' dinghy and used to have a 3.3hp 2-stroke Mercury outboard.  I went to a 6hp 4-stroke and kind of wich I hadn't.  I don't think the 4 stroke is that much quieter than the 2 stroke and the 4 stroke is about 10 pounds heavier than the 2, making it harder to get on plane and harder for me to remove and store in the trunk of the boat.  The 3.3 was fine getting the boat on plane, but the 6 is so heavy that is it hard to plane with two people unless we both position ourselves forward. 

[pepmyster]

Nice answer. I have a 4 horse Johnson I want to try on my 8 ft dingy. Nice to know that it should really do the job. I was using a 2 horse before,,,,,kind of funny!!!!!!

[PartsMan]

thanks for the input ... never thought a 3.3 would be able to get on plane. I have a chance to pick up a 4hp mercury 4 stroke and thought that was too small of a motor.

[Le Meez]

I'm trying to decide what I want for our dinghy as well. I was told that this is the last year that Yamaha is making 2 strokes which was recommended by the shop I bought the dinghy from, CO2 Inflatables.

[frodo13056]

I have a 10' Silver Marine dinghy with a Nissan 3.5 HP 2 Stroke and it'll scoot along pretty well. I've never actually tried to make the thing plane out but it sure feels like it could with just me on board. The 3.5 HP Nissan weighs about 15 pounds or so and is very easy to retrieve / store. I also don't think that a 4 stroke would be that much quieter than a 2 stroke motor.

[dazeoff]

Weeelll I have a 9 ft. zodiac ..I power with a 9.8 Nissan .... The motor is light, and I easily  plane 2 adults and 50lbs of provisions .... I love it ... Best investment I have made with my boat ........

[jmeyers278]

where do you keep the 9' dinghy on the 270??

[dazeoff]

I made a removeable mount on the stern , and it hangs there no problem ....see picture...

[jmeyers278]

Man what a good idea....when you get a chance could you take some up close pics of the mount and maybe give me a few pointers on how you built it......thanks

[pepmyster]

We tow ours, no problem, buy, your idead is cool

[AndyDale]

I have a 9ft Bombard (made by Zodiac) I purchased from Defender.com new for $500. It was a closeout, equivalent dinghies sell for $900. I've had it for a year and it has been excellent. It sits on my swim platform lashed on with a couple of half inch nylon lines. Works great. You can see it in my avatar photo.

BTW, the State of California DMV charges me $20 for two years to license my Rinker. How much for the dinghy? Yup, $20 also. 

Andy

[Vuja De]

$20!  For 2 years!

I paid about $450 to register last year in Utah.   
Can't wait to see what it'll be next month.

[PartsMan]

450.00 OUCH!

In Ohio, Boats less than 16' 33.00 for (3) three years .. 26-40' 63.00 for (3) three years.

[pepmyster]

No charge in Canada.. Licence is free!!!!!