When I bought Coyote Moon 7 or so years ago, it had a 2 stroke 4 HP Suzuki. I switched to a 4 stroke 4 HP Yamaha back in 2004. The motor has been mounted in the transom the whole time as we only race PHRF up here in the Frozen North, and we aren't allowed to remove it (ie. has to be deployed in an instant). Over that entire time, there have only been very slight cosmetic gel coat cracking eminating at each of the 4 corners, maybe about an inch or so. A little gel coating and the cracking has been eliminated. No structural damage was caused.

The 4 horse is quite powerful and I have never been wanting for more power on the ocean. We don't have huge tidal currents in and around Vancouver, so I can't answer that more specifically for you, but I do go about 5.5 to 6 kts full on according to the GPS last time I checked, dependent upon current flows.

I remember reading a post year's ago that a guy used a 5 horse also, so someone may comment about that for you.

As an aside, I have been reading posts on here for years and have enjoyed being a part of the E27 fraternity (even from afar), so I'd thought now was as good of a time as any to let you guys know that. Thanks for all the posts guys.

The boat has been kept ship shape and has raced locally for the entire time I had the boat. The results have been really excellent with our boat, and my entire family has been racing the boat together. We plan to stop racing and do race committee work now as we've won more than our share of hardware.

Anyways, sorry if this thread is hijacked a little, it wasn't intended. Hey, I did give some valid info right?

Cheers guys, all the best - Ed