Motor for inflatable - will this one do the job?

[rumy1]

I have just bought a 2.75m Coast inflatable from BCF and want a motor for it. I have two kids 8 & 5 yrs old and myself (100kg). My question is that there is a Tohatsu 3.5hp for sale, do you thik this will be enough power to run around the creeks in? I bought the inflatable for our caravan which will be great but I am worried about under powering it. It can take up to a 9.9hp but I want a small motor so I can easily carry it around and don't want to spend too much.
Would it get on to the plain or am I dreaming?

Now that I have read this back to myself, it seems like a ridiculous question but I will post it anyways.

Thanks for any feed back.

[on-one]

It'll probably plane with you or the kids but not both - I have a 4hp merc on a 2.3m inflatable and it's fine with just me (80kgs) but with my wife and I (maybe 130kgs between the two of us) there's not a hope of getting it onto the plane

[CreelReaper]

I think mate that it would be ok but only just. Their website says that rowing is a 'real option'. Sure you won't be breaking any water speed records and as long as you are not in a hurry.... besides it will take the load off your rowing arms.:P
The only thing against it I can think of is possibly where you might experience large tidal flows and want to go against them.
If you are not in a hurry mate, do some shopping around you might be lucky enough to pick up a bargain with a bigger motor for the same price as the 3.5.

Cheers

[Roughasguts]

I have a 3.3 Quicksilver with a 5Hp 2 cyl evinrude and with me and one kid it will get on the plane and I can reduce the throttle to maintain the speed.

But 2 Adults 2 kids she just bogs in and stays that way, won't get out the hole, same speed idling around.

[rumy1]

I am lending a 8hp over the easter week-end but it'll mean I will have to register my boat due to it being over 4hp. I thought that if the 3.5hp would do the trick then I would buy that now and avoid the registration payment. It looks like I will want a 6-8hp motor anyways because I am not a very patient person. I will test the 8hp this week-end prior to easter and see how it goes with me and the two kids in the boat.
I don't need a rocket but if a 3.5hp is not much quicker than rowing I think I will go for the larger motor.
Anyone got a 8hp for under a grand they want to sell?