Outboard for Inflatable

sailor-d · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: Outboard for Inflatable

I have an Alaska series TDS240 inflatable on order - just trying to determine the ideal outboard. I understand I need a long-shaft at the very least. Has anyone powered their similar Alaska series inflatable?

Jazzmanic · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave,

We have the same tender and bought a Suzuki 2.5hp (have to match the engines Wink

) without realizing we "need" the long shaft. The Suzuki is a short-shaft (15") and has worked fine for two seasons. If there were no weight in the back, the short shaft would be a problem but with the weight of the helmsperson in the back steering the tiller, it works fine. We use ours just to get around the marina or while on the hook and the 2.5hp is plenty. The Suzi is real light and easy to load on and off. We like it.

But if the shaft length is important to you, I believe the other outboard brands do have the long shaft in that horsepower range. BTW, that Alaska Series Tender is well-made and tough as nails. Believe me, I know.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject:

Patty here. I can't believe Pat hasn't responded to this post. We didn't know we needed a long shaft when we needed the motor for the Gulf Islands---a week with Austin and his friend and not able to use the motor was a scary thought. We were at Stuart the first night of our week and sort of stuck. I don't remember who gets credit for suggesting this, but we just cut the wooden motor bracket in half (someone had a saw, can you believe it?) and it works just fine with a short shaft. Plenty of wood left.

Bess-C · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject:

We also have an Alaska series dingy. I purchased a 3 1/2 hp Nissan long shaft for it. Just used it and like it a lot. The Alaska dingy tracks better than our previous Mercury and the 3 1/2 pushes the boat a lot faster than our previous Honda 2 hp. Pat, I might even be able to beat you in a rematch of the dingy race we had a couple of years ago.
Lyle

AnchortownJim · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

We have the Alaska Series 220TDS dingy and use a Honda 2HP short shaft. I cut 2 inches off the wooden part of the engine bracket and the short shaft works very well that way. Thumbs Up

2HP is plenty since you can't really get an air floored dingy on step. I never get the Honda past half throttle. Hope this is of help to you.

Jim

jimandlaurie · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

Patty,
Hmm I wonder who thought of cutting the board....hmmmm

Tooting my own horn...Jim

We also have a 2.5 suzuki and it has worked fine in barrel at home . am confident it will work well on our 8 foot Avon

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I don't know why I didn't see this earlier...evidently several of us have cut down the plywood in the motor mount on our Alaska Series tenders to use short shaft outboards. And yes, Rev. Jim gets the credit for the idea at Stuart. Works just fine. Lyle, we can re-run the Great Dinghy Race but what kind of handicap do you want to make up for your extra horsepower? Laughing

Bess-C · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

Pat,
I was told by the onlookers that I already appeared to have a beer induced handicap, so I don't think you should handicap me for the extra hp. Besides, the long shaft will have more drag.
Lyle

sailor-d · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject: Outboard for Inflatable

Thanks each and all for your valuable comments and suggestions. In view of the input I have decided to keep my year-old short-shaft 2.5 Yamaha and trim the transom motor mount when my Alaska series arrives.