Small boat purchase - which outboard

[Inphase]

Hi
Looking to purchase a small fishing boat
One I've found needs an outboard but not sure of size required.
Normally being a petrol head bigger obviously better but don't think this is the best idea with boats as to much power and it can flip, sink the back end and also as they really like a drink worried about running costs!
Can anyone help/advise suitable size outboard for estuary running.

The boat is a cat c 3 berth 4.6m long 420kg

Many thanks
Inphase

[gazzarose]

What make/model is it? What type of hull. If it's a displacement hull however much power you put on it it won't plane (go Fast). Something like a warrior 150 fishing boat would have 40-50hp and would do maybe 17 knots lightly loaded. But the same power on a similar sized displacement boat would be lucky to get 10 with most of the power going to waste.

Gareth

[Bluebarge]

If you know it's a cat c (ie a new-ish boat) it should have an aluminium plate on it telling you the max HP power it's rated for, as well as max no. of passengers etc

[TTwiggy]

Where will the boat be used? If you're going to be punching against tides then a bit of oomph will be useful. Also, I'd want some sort of backup engine if I were using it offshore. Don't like the idea of only having one engine with no big white flappy things for power.

[Fishtigua]

You will also need to know which length of shaft you'll require.

[Mojocvh]

Whatever you decide, get a four stroke.

[Fishtigua]

Mojocvh said:

Whatever you decide, get a four stroke.

Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0

The Merc and Evinrude are much lighter and have better performance. Okay, they may drink a bit more, but not that you'll notice unless you run it every day.

[Inphase]

Thanks for all your replies.

[mickrick]

Anything with a Yamaha badge on it.

[EarlOfHazard]

mickrick said:

Anything with a Yamaha badge on it.

When I lived in Dublin, I noticed that every outboard was a Yammy. ..

[mickrick]

I did a circumnavigation in 94-95, we had a 8hp Yam on our Avon roll away tender, and it never let us down. It even survived going in and being recovered from the bottom.

A different thing, but the only jet skis my old boss never managed to bugger up where Yamaha's. I really rate Yamaha stuff.

[Fishtigua]

mickrick said:

I did a circumnavigation in 94-95, we had a 8hp Yam on our Avon roll away tender, and it never let us down. It even survived going in and being recovered from the bottom.

I've still got my little Yam 15hp 2Stroke. It must be 15 years old now and been underwater too. The best outboard yet made. My little Tohatsu 2.5hp has never let me down either, Even after being banged about in lockers and bilges, it still runs forever.

[Bonefish Blues]

EarlOfHazard said:

mickrick said:

Anything with a Yamaha badge on it.

When I lived in Dublin, I noticed that every outboard was a Yammy. ..

As has been every single outboard on the many small fishing skiffs I have fished from in the Caribbean, now I come to think of it. Why so?

[Fishtigua]

Bonefish Blues said:

As has been every single outboard on the many small fishing skiffs I have fished from in the Caribbean, now I come to think of it. Why so?

I think I remember that Yamaha did a deal with the Member States of the CARICOM economic group of Islands to supply indigenous fishermen with reduced price/tax exempt motors. This was part of a IWC vote rigging scam to keep Jap whaling ships legal with all the votes from the small Islands.

They almost gave them away.

[mickrick]

Yes, now I think about it, all the boat boys in the Caribbean use Yams. Big ones with tiller too! I would try and get a two stroke for mechanical simplicity if I could. You can still get new ones in the Caribbean and the States I´ve been told.
One drawback with the four stroke outboards is if you don´t lie them on the correct side, they spill engine oil.

One of the boat boys off St. Lucia. Note the battered old Yam.


Not related, but one of my favourites that I think worth sharing Sorry about the grainy quality, but they are old. Like me!

[Bonefish Blues]

Fishtigua said:

I think I remember that Yamaha did a deal with the Member States of the CARICOM economic group of Islands to supply indigenous fishermen with reduced price/tax exempt motors. This was part of a IWC vote rigging scam to keep Jap whaling ships legal with all the votes from the small Islands.

They almost gave them away.

Interesting, thanks

[zed4]

Sounds like the Yamaha F50 would do the job. Fuel injected, four stroke, lightweight, reliable, complete with the digital multi function gauge and Yamaha immobiliser. Yamaha F50/60/70 are all based on the same 4 cylinder block, so all weigh the same (although the F70 has the larger gearbox so is a few kg heavier).

[zed4]

Fishtigua said:

Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7I00cZUE0

The Merc and Evinrude are much lighter and have better performance. Okay, they may drink a bit more, but not that you'll notice unless you run it every day.

Well that looked dangerous!

[Doshy]

Inphase said:

Hi
Looking to purchase a small fishing boat
One I've found needs an outboard but not sure of size required.
Normally being a petrol head bigger obviously better but don't think this is the best idea with boats as to much power and it can flip, sink the back end and also as they really like a drink worried about running costs!
Can anyone help/advise suitable size outboard for estuary running.

The boat is a cat c 3 berth 4.6m long 420kg

Many thanks
Inphase

BHG Marine down in Lymington have a sale on at the moment. Have bought a fair bit from these guys over the years, great service.

[zed4]

Doshy said:

Inphase said:

Hi
Looking to purchase a small fishing boat
One I've found needs an outboard but not sure of size required.
Normally being a petrol head bigger obviously better but don't think this is the best idea with boats as to much power and it can flip, sink the back end and also as they really like a drink worried about running costs!
Can anyone help/advise suitable size outboard for estuary running.

The boat is a cat c 3 berth 4.6m long 420kg

Many thanks
Inphase

BHG Marine down in Lymington have a sale on at the moment. Have bought a fair bit from these guys over the years, great service.

That's me, thanks! Indeed we do, this week only we have some very special pricing on outboards as an extension of the London Boat Show.