just the fact that a 9 foot inflatable will plane with a load
like that being pushed by a 5hp.

You're right on that...the 5HP works too hard. The 5hp is pretty light to
carry. Ideally I wanted a little 3.5, even though that wouldn't plane at all.
Main problem is....I have little room on my rail for the motor. It'll have to
go in the sail locker.

RB