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