15 - 20 HP Outboard for Inflatable

[reunionjon]

Greetings,<br /><br />Am preparing to purchase an inflatable boat 10-12 ft for leisure and pulling my kids on a kneeboard. In seeking to purchase a new 15-20 HP motor, It would be good to have some feedback with some of the following questions in mind.<br /><br />1. What company seems to have a great record with customer service?<br />2. Will there be a particular difference in speed and performance between a 15 and 20 hp outboard?<br />3. Does one 15HP outboard manufacturer seem to put out more torque than others?<br /><br />There may be a few more questions along this line, but wanted to get some feedback as we begin the research. Any other thoughts in relation to effeciency too would be great.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[mjbrueck]

Re: 15 - 20 HP Outboard for Inflatable

If you want to pull your kids on a kneeboard, you'll probably need a 25 hp. When I was a teenager, I had a 13' Malibu (about 200#) with a 15hp, and we could kneeboard (way back when it was called "Hydrosliding") with only one person in the boat. The Marine Patrol frowned on not having a spotter. With two in the boat, it wouldn't plane when trying to pull someone.