I only use that big one for special circumstances.. it's the motor for my inflatable. What lives on the boat is a Nissan 3.5 2 stroke long shaft which weighs in at 17lbs. Very light and easy to work with.

Even that pretty much just lives down below. I used it last weekend for the first time in a year. In Santa Cruz it's very easy to sail into and out of the hoist dock.

-bryan

:: I've used a 2hp Suzuki ever since I bought my boat in
:: 1986. It weighs 26 pounds and pushes my boat at 4-5
:: knots in smooth water. If I had to replace it I would
:: buy a 2 hp Honda which burns straight gasoline.
::
:: :: I got curious and went out to weight the engine. It's a
:: :: Nissan 8 2-stroke short shaft (old engine from the mid
:: :: 90s) that weighs in at 59lbs.
:: ::
:: :: The tricky part is that it's so top heavy that if you
:: :: stand it up on deck when passing it aft the bottom fin
:: :: has a tendency to slip and if it goes in the right
:: :: direction you have all that engine trying to force the
:: :: sharp blade, fin etc towards your ankles. Ask me how I
:: :: know.....
:: ::
:: :: :: I've put a 40lb engine (Nissan 6 or 8 short shaft) on
:: :: :: with no problems. Wrestling this monster on with
:: :: :: insufficient help or when the boat is rocking and
:: :: :: rolling is a great way to really bash your ankles with
:: :: :: the shaft. Use a good safety line and also be careful
:: :: :: with the throttle when in reverse as it can cause the
:: :: :: mount to jump right out of the boat.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: The speed an fuel efficiency of this engine is great.
:: :: :: I've motored for hours in the delta, against the current
:: :: :: in the bay when there is no wind etc.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I've had a barrowed, 8 HP Mercury (90#) hung on the back
:: :: :: :: during a 2 day coastal run, but I wouldn't do it again.
:: :: :: :: In a seaway, there'd be almost no way to take it off the
:: :: :: :: mount, if there was a problem with it. But if the wind
:: :: :: :: dies, you sure can make some tracks!
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: What is the biggest motor that has been used on the
:: :: :: :: :: aluminum insert style motor mount for the express 27? I
:: :: :: :: :: am curious about the weight factor.