A Few Questions about Outboards and Hulls

T

TangaraToo

RIP
Joined
17 Oct 2012
Messages
560
Visit site
I'm considering getting a project boat to work on over the summer. Two reasons for this are 1) that after spending the day playing I.T. I like to get in to manual stuff and 2) I would like to teach my very keen son about engines, woodwork, fiberglass, prep and spaying etc.

Now I know didly about boats and outboards other than manning the safety boat at the sailing club (have PBL2 and safety boat quals), however I have spent many of my not inconsiderable years restoring old cars, motorbikes, horseboxes, gliders etc so actually doing the work is not a concern.
Considering something like this....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221205530276?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Tatty and needing a lot of work is what I'm after.

So on to the questions
1) Any recommendations for hulls to go for or avoid? Max hull length can only be 16 feet to fit in garage.
2) What approx size outboard would I need for the hull in the link. I know hulls should have a plate with max HP but doubt any of the hulls I will be looking at will.
3) When it comes to rebuilding the outboard are spares readily available? Any makes better than others for spares availability? How old can an outboard be before spares are difficult to come by.
4) Any make of outboard you would recommend or avoid?
5) Best place to look for hulls / outboards other than ebay. Loooking for something that needs full rebuild but not a complete write off.

All very general questions atm

Oh and just before anyone thinks they have a complete numpty on here who doesn't appreciate what they are taking on here are a couple of my previous projects. All work done by myself.
Horesbox
From this
DSC05516.jpg

to this
Picture032.jpg


Glider
From this
Kylierepair.jpg

to this
kylie.jpg
 
Last edited:
Very nice projects, and your non numpty credentials are proved imho :)

1) Any recommendations for hulls to go for or avoid? Max hull length can only be 16 feet to fit in garage.
There are loads. For V hulls then the Fletcher you have found is a totally excellent choice. Alternatives would be shakepsear, Dateline, Phantom, Sims, Ring, , the nordics, Microplus and many others that are known quantiy and good quality. An alternative is a cathedral style dory then you are looking at Dell Quay dory, Boston Whaler, Wilson Flyer (17 foot). But that fletcher looks excellent
2) What approx size outboard would I need for the hull in the link. I know hulls should have a plate with max HP but doubt any of the hulls I will be looking at will.
Absolute min for that is 50-60hp but will be a bit weak. 70-85 would be very nice. 90hp is probably over the plated limit though you could do it if you want. You may be able to google that boat's new spec - I am guessing
3) When it comes to rebuilding the outboard are spares readily available? Any makes better than others for spares availability? How old can an outboard be before spares are difficult to come by. Avoid Force. Plenty of spares for Mercury, Mariner, Johnson. Evinrude, Yamaha from models of the last say 15 years, and sometimes older
4) Any make of outboard you would recommend or avoid? Avoid Force, Chrysler (lovely retro, but spares tricky),Selva, Parson, early but not recent (last 10 years) Suzukis. Buy Yamaha, Merc, Mariner, Suzuki <10yo, OMC (=Johnson+evinrude) A great choice woud be mercury 4 cylinder 80/85hp. Universally known to be a beautiful engine. It is 2/3rds of their inline 6 100cu inches absolute classic tower of power. But there are also plenty other 70-80hps that would be perfectly fine too
5) Best place to look for hulls / outboards other than ebay. Loooking for something that needs full rebuild but not a complete write off.Not many places tbh. Boats and outboards.co.uk
 
Agree with everything JFM said, Fletcher hull is a great place to start. Just a note of caution re your max boat size, I'm pretty sure that the boat is an Arrowstreak which is just a shade over 17ft long. The Fletcher Arrowsport was just under 16ft if that helps. The arrowstreak is a fantastic boat (Dad had one new in the 80's) but would recommend a minimum of 90hp to make it lively.

Good luck
 
I know the fun is in the restoration but think about how you will want to use it when you've done the business. Sports boats look cool but once you've zoomed up and down a few times it gets cold and boring unless your family want to get into water skiing or wake boarding. Buying a small cuddy opens up the opportunity to cruise the estuaries, rivers and canals. Also such a boat provides the opportunity to go sea fishing, taking auntie out for a picnic and best of all is towable. Look at Hardys, Shetlands and Microplus. All available quite cheaply. Have a few days out looking around inland marinas.
 
if its something to restore & enjoy the fun of restoring it then a clasic sportsboat like a delta or albaross would make an excellent project if you could find an early aluminium one they are true classics with either coventry climax or ford x flow or pre x flow about 14' so bang on size etc

either way much easier engines to get to grips with than an old outboard & they have the classic value factor once restored unlike an old fiberglass boat which will always just be an old glass boat

my first boat was an aluminium delta when i was 17 back in the 80's & i loved it good to waterski from & very simple to work on

wish i had it now cos they are worth far more than i sold mine for!
 
landlockedpirate said:
Agree with everything JFM said, Fletcher hull is a great place to start. Just a note of caution re your max boat size, I'm pretty sure that the boat is an Arrowstreak which is just a shade over 17ft long. The Fletcher Arrowsport was just under 16ft if that helps. The arrowstreak is a fantastic boat (Dad had one new in the 80's) but would recommend a minimum of 90hp to make it lively.

Good luck
Click to expand...
Ah yes agreed, if it is a17ft plus then 90hp for sure minimum. I was going by the written description of 16 foot or whatever it said. This of course means you could buy and restore the in line 6 version 100cu inch merc 90hp "tower of power" - the beautiful engine :D Lots od spares and support, incl on usa forums.

To OP: I do think dave you have found a really good project boat with that fletcher, if it will fit in your garage. They're a well established quality brand, in demand, and you'll be able to sell it on. Or better still keep it of course :D
 
Agree on the idea of focussing on the requirements first. Fletchers are great but no matter how nicely restored it will fit certain uses only. Small cabin/hardtop or cuddy designs exist too.

Do a little homework deciding what you want to end up with. Then pick a project that will meet the needs when ready.
The brands suggested are all OK provided they have not been mistreated too far. If you get boat and engine separately make sure they match both regarding hp, remote controls and, not least, engine leg length.

If 16' is your limit, think about the extra space needed for the engine (if fitted at that point)..
 
Thanks for the responses.
A bit more info has come to light.
General concensus says the hull is a Fletcher Bravo 165GTO. This has a power rating of 70hp to 150hp :eek:
No prizes for guessing which end of that range I will be going for.
Use wise, my son would like to get in to skiing/wakeboarding so that will be primary use although we have weekends totally free due to SWMBO and daughter off playing horses so weekends away to different parts of the country will probably be in order.
I agree that something a little more practical would possibly get more use but ever since I was a lad I've wanted one of that sort sort of boat. Now I can and have an excuse to do so. :)

Searching the net for outboards it seems I could pick up something in the upper power range for around £600 - £800 that needs work or for around £2,000 get something to bolt straight on. Is my thinking correct?
If anyone has a suitable old engine (115 - 150hp) in need of a rebuild kicking around they want shot off please let me know. I would rather get a cheap engine that needs a total strip as that is one of the areas I need to spent time on teaching the lad.

If I do end up getting it the plan is to take a car transporter down and load the whole lot on to that. Not sure I would trust that trailer until it's had some TLC.
 
newbiedave said:
General concensus says the hull is a Fletcher Bravo 165GTO. This has a power rating of 70hp to 150hp :eek:
No prizes for guessing which end of that range I will be going for.
Click to expand...
Sounds great. That Fletcher and 150hp will be a fantastic waterski combination.
For the o/b, I'd definitely try to find a Mercury EFI 2 stroke.
IIRC, the 150hp was the entry level of their EFI line, but with the very same V6 design of its bigger racing brothers.
By far the most exciting o/b I've ever had the opportunity to try.
 
TangaraToo said:
Thanks for the responses.
A bit more info has come to light.
General concensus says the hull is a Fletcher Bravo 165GTO. This has a power rating of 70hp to 150hp :eek:
Click to expand...
I found this thread when I searched for info on Fletcher boats., at getting a Fletcher 17 arrowsport this week, my first boat) Your project is interesting but ended abruptly. Did you buy the boat afterwards and have you before and after photos of the boat and outboard
 
Welcome to the forums Colum. If your question is to the thread author, I don't think you'll get a response. I fear they may have died - "RIP".
Hope your new boat provides you with much enjoyment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top