My New Inflatable Needs a Motor, But Which One ?

sailor-d · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:38 pm Post subject: Outboard for inflatable

I solicited the Brats ((Outboards and systems - Honda BF2) a while back. I powered my Avon inflatable with a 2hp, 2 stroke (22lb) Yamaha which was ten years old and ran flawlessly. I could see maintenance looming (new impeller $20 and carb kit $80). I put it on Craigslist and it was snapped up first call. My new motor is a Yamaha 2.5 - a little heavier but has twist throttle, neutral and forward. One has to fish or cut bait.

Cheers - Dave

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject:

I would not call the photos posted or in the Suzuki web site, "planing". The wake needs to be breaking clean aff of the transom. What you see there is a lot of weight in the back of the inflatable. Some very light boats/people and motor will semi plane in the smaller engiens--There are some who claim to plane with 4 to 6 hp--but our experience in both light inflatables and aluminum skiffs is that it realistically takes 9 HP to have a reliable planing boat--and even that depens of the load. For example we had an inflatable which would scoot along with a 4.5 hp--plane with one or two adults with a 15 but needed 25 hp to plane with 4 adults and diving gear. What you need is enough power to push you back against the wind or currents you will encounter.

Adeline · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:57 am Post subject:

Pete,

That motor is a Tohatsu or Nissan which was built for J/E and imported. I agree that the hood latch may be missing. The other item may have been a fuel shut off, but I am not sure.

These motors replaced the US built 2 hp and they weren't the greatest, but they do work.

Have you seen this motor in person? I would get the model /serial number and try a J/E dealer to see if the hood latch is available. If this motor is unused it should not be missing any parts.

Let me know if you have any more info.

Adeline · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

This motor is hundreds of miles away. I was told it was a '98 so I checked @ I-Shop Marine and BRP and these parts(motor cover lever, lock, and hardware) are available. Do you know what year OMC farmed out their 2s ?

Larry H · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:06 am Post subject:

Pete,

My best memory says early to mid 90's, but I have no way to check on that now.

I would not buy a used small motor long distance. Its a real crap shoot! You should be able to see and hear it run.

Larry H

Adeline · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

Here is a comparison chart I 'borrowed'.

Adeline · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject:

To all that chipped in, thanks! New motor is now home... 1994 Evinrude 4. E4RER. Twin cylinder. Twist-grip throttle. Forward and neutral gears. Remote tank. 33#s. Reputedly less than 30 hours. Original owner a 90 y/o gentleman that had her for 4 years. Running her from Ilwaco Boat Basin out to Sand Island in search of crabs, flotsam, and jetsom. 2nd owner a Fish/Wildlife officer in Chinook that used it to power HIS inflatable out to Sand Island in search of crabs, flotsam, and jetsom. And now, on the first day of spring, 2007, I've got her.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:05 am Post subject:

Pete-

Congradulations!

Sounds like a dream deal!

Didn't belong to a little old lady from Pasadena, too, perhaps?

(Probably was used to run drugs from Columbia to Corpus Christi/Corpus Delicti at night!) Laughing

Joe.