11 ft . Inflatable boat question.

[Newellknik]

Aquamarine 11' boat , fibreglass floor , max HP 15 . My buddy wants to
put a 6 or 9 hp. On it . 2 Adults fishing . Any guess
Or knowledge,how well this will move .
Also are Tohatsu s any good .

I know nothing about these boats .
Thnx for info

[Stryker80]

I got a 12 ft zodiac with a 9 hp yamaha. It takes a bit to plane but great for trolling. I have had the wife and 4 kids and myself on it. I would recommend to get the 9 hp motor, more power if needed. Having an inflatable is great, I'll get a bigger boat this year but keep the zodiac when towing the trailer for camping.

[tallieho]

Tohatsu is actually the builder of Mercury motors.

[Baitban]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=318459

I posted some info there

I run a Tohatsu 9.8

[Safety D]

There great motors. Get the 9.8. Just over 80 pounds great power to weight ratio. You can't go wrong !!!!

[RavYak]

Rated for 15, that is what I would be getting. A 15(or at least the older 2 strokes) doesn't weigh any more then a 9.9 and you will love the extra power.

[Anomaly85]

I have a 12 ft Zodiac, with a Mercury 6hp (Made by Tohatsu). With two 200lb guys and gear it's not getting around very fast, but it will get you around. The only real advantage the 4-5-6hp tohatsu's have is they're about 50lbs so they're pretty easy to install and remove from the boat. Whereas the 9.8's are 80+lbs. Definitely would be more enjoyable with 15hp :)

[trouty]

If you are trailering it get the bigger motor 15 hp. Don't go less than 9.9. I have the same and you can put on a 9.9 by yourself if you don't trsiler it.

[RavYak]

If you are trailering it get the bigger motor 15 hp. Don't go less than 9.9. I have the same and you can put on a 9.9 by yourself if you don't trsiler it.

Just get an older 2 stroke 15 hp. Weighs the same as a 9.9.

I loved my 15 hp on the little tinner I had. Sure beat the 9.8 I had before it.

[mikefromcanmore]

The 9.9 may be best as some lakes have 10 hp limits ,so the 15 maybe out of bounds.So check around the areas you may go to.We have a 9.9 Merc on our small Striker just the right size engine.

[RavYak]

The 9.9 may be best as some lakes have 10 hp limits ,so the 15 maybe out of bounds.So check around the areas you may go to.We have a 9.9 Merc on our small Striker just the right size engine.

I don't think there are any lakes in AB with 10 hp limits. A bunch in BC and a handful in SK though.

This act tells you most of the lakes with boating restrictions. Schedule 4 lists the power maximum lakes.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2008-120/index.html

[calgarygringo]

There is as I fish one of them.

I don't think there are any lakes in AB with 10 hp limits. A bunch in BC and a handful in SK though.

This act tells you most of the lakes with boating restrictions. Schedule 4 lists the power maximum lakes.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2008-120/index.html

[calgarygringo]

Talk to jack&7. I have fished in his with my 5 Honda. His 10 hp was out of order last time out so took my 5 Honda. Was my first time in his Zebec and we moved ok. I am sure hus normal 10 hp would have moved much faster but our trolling speed was a nice crawl. PM him I am sure he can fill you in.

[RavYak]

Just a rough guesstimate but this is probably how you can look at the different motor options.

6 HP: trolling speed only
9.9 HP: Might be able to get on plane with 1 person(probably not 2).
15 HP: Should be able to get on plane easily with 1 person and maybe even 2.

If you are just going to fish smaller lakes and just want to puts around any of them will do the job. If you want to fish bigger lakes and be able to get off the water quick if needed then spend the extra bucks and get a 15 HP.

There is as I fish one of them.

Must be a private lake with self imposed limits?

There are lots of lakes with 12 kph speed restriction, electric only, no motor etc restrictions but I don't know of any with HP restrictions here in AB (and none are listed in the governing act I posted either which I believe covers all public waters).

[jungleboy]

I had a 12' Seamax with a 9.9 on it. While it worked fine as far as fishing goes when you put an extra person or 2 in with you, it was slow going to get anywhere. I eventually put a 15 on that boat and it was much more user friendly .Here is a video of that boat with the 9.9 on it . I also had a 11 ft Zodiac at one time and with a 4hp it was painfully slow at best .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBkBFOig4qA

[some guy]

Just a FYI...
A licence or registration is mandatory for all pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more...
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-paperwork-paperwork_boat_licence-3211.htm

[RavYak]

Just a FYI...
A licence or registration is mandatory for all pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more...
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-paperwork-paperwork_boat_licence-3211.htm

Yes you have to register boat if 10 HP or more. Very simple, all you have to do is print paperwork fill it out send it in then put registration number on boat once you get that info.

[Stryker2]

I have a 11' Striker inflatable with an aluminum floor and run a 9.9 (2stroke) Evinrude. With 2 of us and a lot of gear we can plane at 20 to 25 km per hour depending on the wind. Perfect for the smaller lakes I fish at. If you're a big guy and strong than a 4 stroke in a 10-15 HP might be ok but they are heavy.

[tobin]

I have a 15 hp evinrude on my 11'8 zebec. She runs just as fast with 2 people as it does with just me. For the year and make of my motor, it's the same weight as the 9.9 version

[newguy]

I had the exact boat but only a 4hp... you could likely run faster than the boat!

Be sure to check forecasts. My boat was scary when the winds pick up!!

[tobin]

I had the exact boat but only a 4hp... you could likely run faster than the boat!

Be sure to check forecasts. My boat was scary when the winds pick up!!

That's why you need the horsepower. I have been out in pretty bad weather quote a few times