I have not owned or run the Tohatsu propane motor; but Tohatsu makes good motors, and many of the small “Brand name” motors are made by Tohatsu. I have one of those in a 2 stroke 3.5 hp and it runs very well. The 5 hp will sort of be a between motor—it probably will plane with one person, but probably not with a your retriever and an extra person. (We have a lot of experience with labs on boats and dinghys) We had a 10 foot hard dinghy and with 5 hp it would not plane with 5 hp with a 70# lab and a second person. Currently we have a 9 1/2’ inflatable floor/keel dinghy weight about 62#. We use a Garhauer Davit to easily hoist it on the cabin top of our C Dory 22. (A boat we can easily back right to the shore, and do in certain places). We use the 3.5 hp 2 stroke on this dinghy some times, but usually we use the Torqeedo Travel 1003 electric motor. We have used this for over 5 years, and are very happy with it. Full out it is slightly less powerful than the 3.5 (Torqeedo compares it to the 3 hp gas, (I think it is closer to the Suzuki 2.5 hp gas) For going to shore we run at about 2 to 3 knots—nice and leisurely and a charge will give us over 10 miles. At 5 knots it will give a range of over 5 miles. We charge it every day off a generator when charging our refrigeration batteries or from 12 volt source. There is a new battery with 50% more capacity available. No extra fuel, waterproof, very light (about 30# total, and each piece can be put on dinghy separately—(also can be stored on the dinghy on its side, as in Weaver davits). No piece of the Torqeedo weighs more than 12#—making it very easy to handle. Compare handling a 60# outboard (the Tohatsu propane) vs 12# or even 30# over the transom and on a swim step. Propane: you have a very explosive fuel, extra container, has to be turned off at the tank each time—and the tank: 11# is not always easy to stow. I don’t know about rules on the plastic “Viking tank” as far as filling..I know my local propane dealer is very persnickety about filling any tank which is not “standard” (including my aluminum tank). If I wanted a light reliable gas engine, then I would go Suzuki 2.5HP and about 30#, is much easier to handle, and the speed will be little different than displacement speeds with the 5 hp if you have the retriever and another person aboard. Enjoy the new boat! Bob Austin