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.

On I Wanda we have a 10.6 AB with a 15 Yamaha. We do not find the 15. Adequate for 4 persons. However, previously we had a 18 tohatsu. You would not believe the change 3 more hp did. We could plane with 5 pob. The 10.6 is a double bottom rib.

Hi As we said we have a 9 Foot AB Light, which is fiberglass not aluminium. Before we had the 8 which has smaller tubes, which gave a rough unstable ride. Has any one used the wings that are bolted on the shaft of a outboard? Are they worth it? Regards Michael & Anne

Thanks - can 't beat more HP!

Yes, we have the wing that bolts on the skeg and envelops the prop. Helps some with getting on a plane, but great to protect the prop from rocks. Have had mine since 1996 and would not be without it.