You are a troublemaker, aren't you? Asking a question like that!
Oh well, I'm willing to get blasted so will offer my opinion. I too sail
the inland waters. I'm INexperienced and have learned a few lessons the
hard way.
IMHO I would recommend the 5 hp. I have been on Smith Mountain Lake when I
was glad I had the power to fight the headwind back to the Marina. (Where
did that wind come from anyway, it's usually a lack of wind that troubles
us?). I have been at Buzzards Point ramp on the Potomac across from DC on a
day with very little wind until I was trying to stay away from the very
crowded ramp. Wish I had a 30 HP that day (the damage to both boats was
superficial and the other guy understood that wind and freeboard= unwanted
motion. <bg>!
I have had no experience with a smaller outboard, but friends have told me
they vibrate more and are noiser because you are working them at max.
My 6 HP Johnson has only failed to start on the 1st or 2nd pull twice. Once
the tank was heavy with WATER ---- Vandalism (?) Condensation? The other
time I forgot to reinstall the safety key that I had taken off to make it
harder for someone to steal it (would anyone steal a Potter 19?) (with or
without blisters?).
I suppose a 4 cycle is the way to go unless you can pick up a proven used
motor. This year I used approximately 1 gallon of gas/oil mix, so am not
planning to replace it with a 4-cycle.
In summary IMHO you will be happier with a larger (within reason) motor.
You can get by with less.
Ted Duke
WWPs19 #626
Mountains of Virginia
P. S. Still love my Potter and am chilling out about blisters as I read up
and figure best course of action. Thanks to all for your comments.
Rye Gewalt wrote:
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> OK, here's on to take everybody's minds off of blisters, over
> engineering, and the threat of German Submarines for a bit...
>
> I am about to get a outboard for my '19 and wonder if I should get a
> 3.5Hp or a 5Hp.
>
> Since I plan to do all of my sailing inland -- mostly on the upper
> Potomac near DC -- I am starting to wonder if 3.5HP isn't adequate. I
> know that a lot of you sail in much tougher water where it is important
> to fight the weather and seas, but the most difficult thing on the
> Potomac is the tidal current at the narrow points and that's not exactly
> awesome.
>
> Now if I were going to sail on San Francisco bay or the North Atlantic
> during Iceberg season I think I'd go with the 5HP--- but it seems to me
> that for normal flat water sailing a 3.5 might be OK and would probably
> be able to get me out of trouble.
>
> What do you folks think?
>
> Also, can a 3.5 get a '19 up near hull speed or is that only possible
> with a 5HP. I suppose the 5HP would be a lot quieter....
>
> Thanks All
>
> Rye