Date: 9/21/2007
Name: Jim
email: jhubbard56@comcast.net
subject:outboards (again)
Stephen's recommendations on Fleet 1's website cover the question more than adequately:"A 4 HP motor is plenty of power to get our boats to hull speed in all but the most extreme conditions. The boat can only move so fast through the water, that's hull speed and it's around 5.77 knots. A bigger motor won't move the boat much faster than that. Facing high winds can slow the boat down and here a larger motor will get the boat back up to hull speed. Larger motors will allow you to get to hull speed without going full throttle so they can be quieter and have less vibration."
I use a 4 hp (4 stroke) primarily because I'm lazy and want a reverse gear; it also gives me a little extra push when needed! Although I didn't, a lot of racers have somewhat smaller motors because of the lesser weight.
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