What outboard to go for ?

[emperor]

Hello all,

I'm new to the world of RIBs... Have just bought a secondhand Arimar Topline 360 and am looking for an outboard to go with it.

It's rated up to 25hp, and the transom depth is about 16 inches.

I guess i should be looking for a short shaft model?

It's going to spend most of its time pottering around at slow speeds, however i'd like to option to get it planning on occasion.

I'd guess for the size of boat anything 10 hp upwards would do the job ?

So i'm thinking of somewhere 10 -20 hp.

Ideally i'd like to be able to fit and remove the outboard myself so weight is important. I remember from along time ago moving around a 10 hp was ok, is moving a 20 /25 hp going to be a struggle ?

Looking at tiller steer as no console fitted.

Last question - where to get one ? Have looked on ebay and boats and motors - anywhere else worth looking?

Anything i should look for or avoid?

thanks

peter

[codprawn]

I would always fit the biggest engine I could but to be honest for what you want a 15hp sounds ideal. I would try and find a 2 stroke as they weigh quite a bit less. The ideal would be the Tohatsu 18hp - same weight as the 15 but very hard to find as small 2 strokes have almost ended now.

i have a Suzuki 15hp 4 stroke which is a great engine and very good on fuel - easy enough to handle if you don't have a bad back.

[Poly]

A 20-25 HP 2 stoke is going to weigh the best part of 50kg's. A 4-str will be more. Best get yourself a gym membership! Personally I wouldn't want to lift my 20HP on and off every time.

You would have not problems getting it to plane with 15-20HP. At 10 HP it might depend on how many people / how much kit you have on board and where you distribute them around the boat.

[emperor]

thanks for the advice.

now just need to track a suitable outboard down, and hope its a good one.

cheers
peter

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by emperor

thanks for the advice.

now just need to track a suitable outboard down, and hope its a good one.

cheers
peter

Most brands 2 strokes 10/15 short shaft engines weights the same, about 41/42 Kg, same 4 strokes 10Kg more. Tohatsu is on of the lightest engines available, their 10/15/18 models weights 41 Kg, so if possible to get go for the 18, excellent weight/power ratio. Tohatsu has released a 2 strokes 20 HP engine, that weights a bit more, but less than 25/30 HP older brothers that weights 52 KG. If going for 4 strokes both Tohatsu 15/20 weights the same 52 Kg.

Another interesting weight/power ratio if portability is a must is the Tohatsu 9.8 HP, 2 strokes weights just 26 Kg, and 4 strokes same model 37 Kg. All very reliable & simple engines, a breeze to maintain.

Happy Boating

[Andy JC]

The 15hp Mercury/Mariner 2 stroke outboards made over the last 10 years or so were only 35Kg.

The 15hp Johnson 2 strokes before they stopped making them a couple of years a go were even less at 33Kg.

Both will provide pleanty of punch and will still be manageable single handed. They are becoming harder to find these days but if you keep an eye on B&O and ebay one will come up sooner or later

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

The 15hp Mercury/Mariner 2 stroke outboards made over the last 10 years or so were only 35Kg.

The 15hp Johnson 2 strokes before they stopped making them a couple of years a go were even less at 33Kg.

Don't know about Old Mercury/Mariner weights, had a Johnrude 10/15 HP 2 strokes that weighted 36 kilos, but had a lot of plastic on it's lateral cowling surroundings, that's way their lighter weight compared to all metal engines.

Happy Boating

[Andy JC]

I have a 2005 15hp Johnson like this

Very little plastic on it, 74lbs equates to 33Kg's and it feels well made to me

I also have an '88 version of the same engine. Had it 15 years, been completely neglated but still going strong. Never weighed it but feels similar to the newer one - fantastic little motors!!

If you want the specs on the 2 stroke Mariner/Mercs you can find them on the Brunswick Marine website, look up the 2006 sale literature