In the near future I shall need to upgrade my dinghy. I plan to buy a small RIB - about 11 feet or a bit less. I need it to plane e with 4 average size adults on board. Ideally I like to put a 15HP 2-stroke on the back, but this is not going to be possible these days.

Four-strokes are quite a bit heavier so the question is does anyone have experience with a 4 stroke that would do this job? My thoughts are that a 10HP would be a bit too small but a 15HP might be a bit too heavy.

How sad is this! I 'm answering my own question. I have spoken to shops and suppliers and they recommend a 10HP o/b for a 3.2m RIB, but it won 't have enough power to get it on the plane with 4 adults onboard. To do this you need a 20HP 4-stroke. (The Yamaha 15HP and 20HP weigh the same).

....of course I could go to Nassau and buy a brand new 15HP 2-stroke!

We have a 15hp 2 stroke on Badgers Sett 's 9ft Rib. It will plane with 3 people but not with 4. The longer hull may help you, but I would check before buying. Good luck.

Hi Ken

It was from you I learnt the 5Hp/person rule! Our friends have a 11ft with 15HP and with a bit of crew involvement we managed to get it skimming. I shall continue to research. Thanks.

Hello Peter

Just a heads up. A friend has an 11ft AB with a 15hp, but he had to buy a long shaft, as the short was just that. However, the long was a little too long, so he had to add a piece to the top of the transom. More fun!

Cheers Ken

Hi

We bought a new 15 hp Two Stroke short shaft Yamaha in the Bahamas last year and use it on a 9 foot AB dinghy. It plane 's well with three, but have yet to try with four. We do think it will when the conditions are okay.

Regards

Michael & Anne

Hi Michael and Anne

Thanks for your post. We 've come to the conclusion that e 'll do the same thing. Did you get it in Nassau?

Hi Michael and Anne

Thanks for your post. We 've come to the conclusion that we 'll do the same thing. Did you get it in Nassau?

Hi

Yes we did and we e-mailed

Jakeil Cartwright

Unit Sales

Harbourside Marine Ltd.

East Bay St.

Ph: 393-0262

Fax: 394-7659

P.O Box N4867

www.hbsmarine.com

Yamaha Outboards//Waverunners//Scooters//Generators

Boston Whaler//Contender//Angler//Sundance Skiff

“Your #1 Sales and Service Provider”

You can give a deposit to hold the engine and they have a 4% credit card charge. So worth paying cash and they delivered to the marina.

If you need more info please e-mail, nimue44ATgmail.com

Regards Michael

Thanks very much - I 'll drop him a line.