4 1/2 HP Mercury

N

Neverhome

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Messages
86
I am interested in a 4 1/2 HP Mercury to power an 11' inflatable with an inflatable keel and air floor. It is a late 1970's motor and is owned by a close friend so I am not worried about condition but it will be used in a tidal river with an 5 knot current at full tide change. Will this motor be able to reasonably push this inflatable with an approximate 450-500 pound load?

Neverhome
 
S

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: 4 1/2 HP Mercury

I'm no expert but under ideal conditions the 4.5 would manage 8-9 mph.
with that boat and load I would think closer to about 6 mph.It would probably be a struggle against that current.
 
N

Neverhome

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Messages
86
Re: 4 1/2 HP Mercury

Steelespike,

Given that data I agree with you. Thanks for the info. I do have a 9.9
Merc that I feel is too heavy to take on and off when I transport the dinghy
which is why I was looking at the smaller motor. I have seen motor mounts that bolt to the transom and allow the motor to swivel eliminating the need to remove it from the dinghy when using a davit system. I think I will explore that option.

Thanks for your opinion.

Jim
 
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