By JohnJr on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Can anyone tell me if a 5hp motor is good enough for a 8x8 Argo Response. I want a motor that is light and does not take up alot of space on my machine.

By Gord Young on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I use a 2HP Honda long shaft motor on my Conquest. It pushes the machine around about twice as fast as the tires alone. While this is not fast, it is wonderful for fishing as it makes for good trolling speeds while giving me the extra speed for transiting lakes. It weighs about 24 lbs and is easy to mount and dismount. I sometimes wonder if a larger motor would push me along faster however I would offer the following advice. Though a larger 5HP motor would give more power, the drag from 8 wheels is significant in water. In marine engineering, there is a rule of thumb that states that for an increase in speed, you require three times the power. Therefore a 5HP motor will not double your speed, though it will be somewhat faster. It really depends on what you need. I use the 2HP for fishing and for hauling the kids arounf in rubber inner tubes on lakes and find it sufficient if not speedy. Perhaps cost is a factor for you. I recommend the outboard motor extension that fits to the trailer hitch as even a smaller motoe will distort the rear body plastic while under power otherwise, and consider adding weight to the rear of the machine to get the shaft deep enough in the water to minimize propellor cavitation. At any rate you should only be considering long shaft motors for an ARGO as wou will require the additional length to ensure the cavitation plate on the motor is deep enough in the water. If you remember nothing else, remember that 8 wheels create considerable drag on the hull and a larger motor will be faster though the returns may not justify the additional cost. Good luck in your choice