Dinghy motor, 2.5 or 6 hp

[Alan & Belinda]

We will be looking to pickup a new dinghy motor over the off season and I’ve been looking at the difference in weight when you jump from the small 2.5 class to the 4 and 6 hp. Almost double the weight in some cases. This is mostly due to having proper gears f-n-r etc.

I’d be interested in hearing what your thoughts are on this. How is it with the heavier motors when trying to mount them while bobbing around? Is the extra power really worth it for the typical usage of short runs to the dock?

We currently run a vintage Evinrude 2hp, love the weight but it’s time for retirement

[Anonymous]

We have a 6. From what I have seen there is no benefit to the 6 when doing short runs to the dock. A 2.5 moves a dinghy along at hull speed just as well as the 6.

The good:
It can get our dingy up on a plane for zipping around as long as there is only 1 adult and 1 kid in the dinghy.
I think it will be powerful enough to use as an emergency motor in case the main motor has a problem.

The bad:
It is heavy and moving it from the X to the dinghy can be tough if there is a lot of motion. I always have the motor tied to the X when I am moving it so that if I were to drop it it will not be lost. Having it on a motor mount that drops down to the same level as the dinghy makes it much easier. Having a pulley system off an arch or swing out arm would eliminate the problem altogether.

So if you don’t want or need to plane and you are not worried about emergency propulsion then go with the 2.5. If planning or emergency propulsion matter to you then you need to weigh what is more important to you.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Windsperation but will add a bit. I have a 5hp Honda, it weighs 60lbs and is an effort mounting and removing but I leave it on the dinghy during season and tow the dinghy/engine together so that I do not have to wrestle with it all the time. It is not to hard to mount at the dock or shallow water at ramp so it only gets mounted once a year and I tie it at my slip.
I use mine for more than just dinghy dock service and find that 5hp is not enough power, 6-8 or maybe 9.9 would be better, especially for two adults. We like to explore, especially me, we can cover quite some distances around the protected islands as long a the seas stay relatively calm. There are lots of sheltered bays & inlets to explore and having extra HP gives you further range, but if that does not interest you then stick with the egg beater. I slip in Point Roberts and on a calm day I can travel half way across the Georgia Strait in my dinghy if I feel brave. The extra HP makes it a nice extra toy.

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