BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - The Right Size Outboard Gas Engine for a 18-ft Boat?

On 16 Sep 2005 09:08:28 -0700, wrote:

SNIP

Actually, I am thinking of 9.8hp because many lakes in New Jersey
(where I live) have restriction to limit the engine to no more than
10-hp. And a 9.8hp 4-stroke engine is around 90-lb; two persons with a
carrier should be able to hoist it. I am currently leaning toward
getting a 9.8hp as long as it can push the 18-ft boat with 4 adult
males on it at 10 to 15 land-miles per hour. What do you think?

Thanks for any info in advance.

Jay Chan

Boy I hope you don't ever intend to go into rivers and that the lakes
have no current. A 9.8 with that load might not even hold its own in a
stiff current. I remember watching my brother in a 15ft aluminum boat
with an older 25 Hp on it sitting in the Little Kanawa river near
Parkersburg, WV. The river was high and flowing fast, but not yet at
flood stage. He was sitting still with the engine WOT. Could not make
any headway at all and barely got it back to shore where we could tie
it back up to the dock. At normal current it would do OK and get on
plane with him in it. I couldn't see it doing much with 4 full sized
men in it though.

The Other Dave hall
Dave Hall

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who
have not got it." -- G.B. Shaw