:: 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

When I bought ExpressLane, the previous owner loaned me his 8hp, 85# Mercury outboard for the 150 mile delivery to San Diego. Needless to say, way overkill, and probably too heavy, but no damage done.