We have 9.8 Tohatsu 2 stroke which works great on our 9ft fibreglass rib. In fact, I'd say it's overpowered one up as it becomes very twitchy. With two up (and we're not lightweights!) it's perfect. With two up and filled to the brim with stuff, as in really filled to the brim, it won't plane.
Having said that, my favourite outboard which I use most of the time is a 5hp Yamaha 2 stroke. It planes with me and a small load just fine if I use a tiller extension (which I need to use with the 9.8 anyway for balance) and I don't find puttering around at sub planing speeds too much of a disadvantage when loaded up, although it certainly doesn't have the fun quotient of the 9.8!
Having said that, my favourite outboard which I use most of the time is a 5hp Yamaha 2 stroke. It planes with me and a small load just fine if I use a tiller extension (which I need to use with the 9.8 anyway for balance) and I don't find puttering around at sub planing speeds too much of a disadvantage when loaded up, although it certainly doesn't have the fun quotient of the 9.8!
