I have an old heavy fibreglass dinghy, currently using a 3.3 hp Mercury 2 stroke that looks like it's bit the dust. The dinghy
carries me and the Missus, probably 150 kg all up. If I get a four stroke motor would I need anything bigger than a 2.5 hp
to push us along ?.

Hi Sam
I have a Walker Bay 8 with inflatable 'skirt' which weighs around 35kg. My little 4-stroke Honda 2.3 pushes it along fine with my teenager and I (I'm a hefty girl ) aboard.
It will never get up on the plane but we're in no hurry so it suits us fine

If you do end up throwing the outboard out I have one which runs but is missing the cover.

Oh, Thanks Jules, nice offer. May finish up doing a deal with you. I'll see what happens with mine.

Yes Madmouse, I think that is an assumption on my part. I guess I'm thinking a four stroke has more torque hence has more 'go'.
I'm not sure if that's the case either.

What about an electric?

Used the Honda 2.3 for years and years, light, single handed lift on-off, bombproof fuel miser. Not to motor against a tide-race thou.

I will possibly be using an electric outboard to get out to my boat next weekend, going to borrow my mates to see how it goes. Will let you know , it will be on a 8ft pram style dinghy. Looking at alternatives to having to lug an outboard, of course I have been rowing out lately, which is ok until you forget that spanner ??

I have been using an electric outboard on my dinghy for many years similar to this one in the link below.

The 45lb is about the right size for me - any bigger they start to get too heavy but nowhere near as heavy as a petrol outboard!!

I have a small battery with a handle that I charge every 4 - 6 trips out to my boat which is only about 300mts from shore.

I use mine 3 - 4 time / week & they last a couple of years - same out of the battery.

I have a little Yamaha 2 on the boat for my ducky & the 45lb electric is so much lighter!!

www.ebay.com.au/itm/45LBS-Electric-Trolling-Motor-Inflatable-Boat-Outboard-Engine-Fishing-Marine/383274096499?epid=1042403678&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item593cea9773:g:Y6UAAOSwLnFe6lm8&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkxFtV7J5P58ubuVigtBH%252Fe2WRqEvubgPxLAhQu3I5XolwRJWQXR7W4v4QinOUhNU0vliwK1W5regFng5AsMhNNYvtoFZfoOU532KBKR%252BZrPPZM6r4sU9vIiresKPg9Tt7A%252B3QKh5xV6lcpuuIl7MLM6G17DX0TYnBgnGSYEMcPrl7VEIThonR1MnzQNbWW7xV8a%252F1J%252FjyrWsx99Bqpuvz%252FE2Qe7aP0mdyjtozrcJ7RhvWtnxqWBtlx8L8PWuy0gddHj9AadCuK4yBWQXt8t2htvexQSa6l4JrMAPFUjTES4XIqta6vBuMKfnTo8UkgPjrJkshxe5z6DN0PUPzO6BMEK6aLVYuX1iXEJepwkeXg80QuoKpvwXA6OUz9p8C7mNez%252BWfA3jEGjL0Ko0iHI7uEkN1lC4hAdccNsFqsRCeAgoIoKlKbWU63%252FK0k29c2Mz3tLyj7%252FJuhZHP2%252BXV5Sos8rNyKyKG6FjQwZqSEP9b42mRhe5LdZcndfVWMHkVlaYScbx9E3QfYRa%252Fvv%252FHnGdblLkkVdgDQb5zUQpsr6BLhMlko6y7Tbs9eXBziIIKprs4lBElmUsJ%252FbojKM1gU23W27iszkMfg4Ssiv9r5TE8g3YHqwPQ0dsAEgSGUGuYYO6j5sVPebi6PuWKmlqD8EAo%252B9ctQUACkm%252FO1cWAo7XUDuhJZXvqIUPj2NiOVuM46po8PZHqEhYyhPocMHEUeQZ1A75A6n4Hzqvso54kPcYFJFQEoiU7hn1Sm5pkVHSGK3OyPM0SsSNGDTSfge9mrDSlFt8JUdY3I0sS%252BDkNp%252FMDxwc%253D%7Ccksum%3A3832740964991baec5b5b236410db0f91bc8a3513602%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524&frcectupt=true

BTW Sam if you are in lockdown much longer I'd be happy to take you & Mrs Sturdy out on Lake Macquarie for a day!! Not real flash weather at the moment though :(

samsturdy said..
If there is a downside to them, what is it ?.

The only downside for me is that I have to charge the battery every week or so, which is not really a drama - but I don't have to fill up with petrol either!!
IMO they are value for money.

Lazzz said..
I have been using an electric outboard on my dinghy for many years similar to this one in the link below.

The 45lb is about the right size for me - any bigger they start to get too heavy but nowhere near as heavy as a petrol outboard!!

I have a small battery with a handle that I charge every 4 - 6 trips out to my boat which is only about 300mts from shore.

I use mine 3 - 4 time / week & they last a couple of years - same out of the battery.

I have a little Yamaha 2 on the boat for my ducky & the 45lb electric is so much lighter!!

www.ebay.com.au/itm/45LBS-Electric-Trolling-Motor-Inflatable-Boat-Outboard-Engine-Fishing-Marine/383274096499?epid=1042403678&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item593cea9773:g:Y6UAAOSwLnFe6lm8&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkxFtV7J5P58ubuVigtBH%252Fe2WRqEvubgPxLAhQu3I5XolwRJWQXR7W4v4QinOUhNU0vliwK1W5regFng5AsMhNNYvtoFZfoOU532KBKR%252BZrPPZM6r4sU9vIiresKPg9Tt7A%252B3QKh5xV6lcpuuIl7MLM6G17DX0TYnBgnGSYEMcPrl7VEIThonR1MnzQNbWW7xV8a%252F1J%252FjyrWsx99Bqpuvz%252FE2Qe7aP0mdyjtozrcJ7RhvWtnxqWBtlx8L8PWuy0gddHj9AadCuK4yBWQXt8t2htvexQSa6l4JrMAPFUjTES4XIqta6vBuMKfnTo8UkgPjrJkshxe5z6DN0PUPzO6BMEK6aLVYuX1iXEJepwkeXg80QuoKpvwXA6OUz9p8C7mNez%252BWfA3jEGjL0Ko0iHI7uEkN1lC4hAdccNsFqsRCeAgoIoKlKbWU63%252FK0k29c2Mz3tLyj7%252FJuhZHP2%252BXV5Sos8rNyKyKG6FjQwZqSEP9b42mRhe5LdZcndfVWMHkVlaYScbx9E3QfYRa%252Fvv%252FHnGdblLkkVdgDQb5zUQpsr6BLhMlko6y7Tbs9eXBziIIKprs4lBElmUsJ%252FbojKM1gU23W27iszkMfg4Ssiv9r5TE8g3YHqwPQ0dsAEgSGUGuYYO6j5sVPebi6PuWKmlqD8EAo%252B9ctQUACkm%252FO1cWAo7XUDuhJZXvqIUPj2NiOVuM46po8PZHqEhYyhPocMHEUeQZ1A75A6n4Hzqvso54kPcYFJFQEoiU7hn1Sm5pkVHSGK3OyPM0SsSNGDTSfge9mrDSlFt8JUdY3I0sS%252BDkNp%252FMDxwc%253D%7Ccksum%3A3832740964991baec5b5b236410db0f91bc8a3513602%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524&frcectupt=true

BTW Sam if you are in lockdown much longer I'd be happy to take you & Mrs Sturdy out on Lake Macquarie for a day!! Not real flash weather at the moment though :(

What's the Amp Hours of the battery you're using Lazzz?

Bushdog said..
What's the Amp Hours of the battery you're using Lazzz?

This suits me





www.batteryworld.com.au/U1MF-Century-EverRide-Lawn-Garden-Battery.-Maintenance-Free

Just to finish off the thread. Mechanic called to say he'd fixed the Mercury by removing the power head and discovering the blockage. So the repaired and serviced outboard is now back home looking like new......good outcome. Thank you all for the responses.