What Outboard?

Occasional Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 131

I have a 30ft fishing boat and was thinking about getting an outboard as backup should the inboard stop fro any reason.

She has an 11ft beam and weighs 4 tonne, what size outboard should I be looking for to be able to push her along to get her home if need be?

One other thing, where would I then be able to purchase a hinged bracket that can be lowered in and out of the water with the outboard??

Cheers

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:37 pm

Hi R50,
Thats a lot of boat to put an outboard onto.
You have quite a bit to consider on this one.
Was there ever an outboard on it before?
Is the back of your 30ft'er strengthened to take an outboard?
I have seen 'back up' engine brackets on ebay, but you need to match that to the weight of your engine, otherwise the assisting spring may be overloaded and leave the engine in the water or too strong to push down.
Your prob looking towards 25-30hp+ but a 15(ish)hp will see you move.
(Mercury are darn good engines).

Just a few thoughts from me, others will hopefully provide more info.

ed

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:08 am

Look for a sail drive, high thrust option. They are designed and geared to be auxillary power units on large sail boats. They aren't going to push a 30 foot vessel against a strong tide but would provide steerage and propulsive power at slacker water or with the tide. Typicaly 25/ 30 foot yachts carry 8-15hp sail drive outboards.

Occasional Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 131

Many thanks Ed & tomcat for your replies.

She is of wood construction and was built in 1946.

Looking at her there is no evidence of an outboard ever being fitted, the previous owner told me they have never had to think about it even though they were a licensed charter fishing boat? which I find a bit strange, I would have thought that it was compulsory for a secondary power source?

Looking aft, I would say it was strong enough to take an outboard, but can get that checked locally if need be....

I was thinking along the lines of 20+ hp so I wasn't far out, I don't need it to push me like a speed boat just to get me back should anything happen...

I will have to do things in order then, 1st get the aft checked, then the engine, then the bracket for it.

Cheers
Cliff

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:45 am

Strangely the regulations for cop compliance require a secondary means of steerage but not propulsion. If your vessel is rudder steered, the safest method, if you need to use auxillary power, is to lock the outboard in the straight ahead position and continue to use the rudder for directional input until close to berthing, where the close control requires the throttle and tiller of the outboard to be used. Safe boating TC.

Occasional Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 131

Yep she is rudder steered, and have an aux tiller that slots in should the hydraulics give in..

I would have the outboard locked, as I don't think I would be able to reach it for any steering control, she is approx 54" above the waterline to the gunnels.

ok..now I gotta find the outboard...ebay doesn't have anything at the mo...I'll keep checking.

Thanks again for all the info, appreciate it, and if you are ever around Maldon or Bradwell and fancy a few hours fishing, give me a call.....no charge, other than a small donation towards diesel...

Cliff