Selecting the proper outboard engine

The Ken Bassett Rascal plans I was building from specified a 60 HP motor. The original Rascal was equipped with a 2 stroke Mercury that had modifications (you can find the details on other web searches). From an earlier conversation with Ken Bassett, it must have been screaming fast.

I'm not a savvy guy when it comes to outboards. I had never owned one. I do know, I don't like the smoke of the 2 stroke outboards I grew up watching. I was not convinced that the two strokes of 1998 were going to be any better. I was likely wrong, but I decided on and researched 4 stroke outboards.

You've got to believe, in 1998 there weren't many 4 strokes around. In fact, I only found 2 of them. A Suzuki 60 HP and a Honda 50 HP. Of course I wanted "more power". The Suzuki was the big winner. I actually went to see one and could not believe the size of this thing. It was enormous. I just could not imagine this thing hanging off the back of a 15' boat. I don't remember the weight of this engine but, no way this boat was gonna sit properly in the water... NO WAY. I disappointedly returned home.

So now, it's time to take a second look at the 50 HP. That's it. It's a 50 HP Honda or I'm stuck with a 2 stroke smoker. At the time, Honda was pretty rare. I had an hour long dive into Wisconsin to get to the nearest dealer.

The dealership was in a family owned marina on Lake Koshkonong. Real nice people I have to say. Helpful and genuine. Well, there I am looking a that Honda 50 HP. I was fully expecting to see something "less than desired" but I wasn't disappointed. The size was perfect for my Rascal. They even included mounting in the price. We went outside to dockside and they cranked one up that was mounted to a pontoon boat. I couldn't beleive how quiet this unit was while idleing. I couldn't hear it. Given it's relative promimity to the back of my head on the Rascal, the decision was made. No 2 stroke smoker for me.

Naturally with a sporty little boat, I wanted as much top end as I can get. We discussed propellors and agreed on a size. I made the deal and scheduled the installation.