Outboard motor advice for 3.6m Valiant Lodestar

[rib_trees91]

Hi there,

Looking to buy a new outboard motor for an old Valiant Lodestar model AA360002N (max total weight 700 kg, max HP rated at 25 HP).

I'm torn between buying a new 20 HP 4 stroke and a 25 HP 4 stroke Mercury. Ideally, I want the 20 HP since everyone can use this rig without a license, and it's a bit less expensive.

My only concern is that it won't be enough power for our use case, which is wakeboarding at decent speed (thinking 30+ kmh / 19 mph) and smaller trips with 2-3 adults on it.

Any advice? Cheers.

[Martin]

Hi & Welcome.
Please excuse my ignorance, but is your craft a sib or a rib, I believe valiant make both ?
Generally ribs are substantially heavier than a sib, but on that note they have a sleek hard hull that doesn’t drag like a sib.
Weight and size will have a lot to play in the decision you’ll make

Regards,
Martin

[PeterM]

Yep.. valiant and lodestar made a rib and sib..

Lodestar were/ very high quality and price ... so not sure they are still trading. Both great boats

[Bigplumbs]

A Rib has a Rigid hull generally Fiberglass or no Aluminium in some cases Hence Rigid Inflatable Boat RIB

A sib or Soft Inflatable boat has a hull that you can roll up. It then often has a floor also of various designs