Advice please on outdrives on the Broads

[MandMEnterprises]

Help and advice needed, please ...
As a first-time buyer / novice looking for a 25 to 30 foot cruiser for use on the Norfolk Broads, I have had conflicting comments from brokers about the use of outdrives (ranging from "No problem, particularly if you get them regularly serviced" to "Unsteerable at slow speeds and expensive to maintain"). Is there any impartial advice out there to help me steer to the right decision? (Sorry about the pun!)

Mike.

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[itsonlymoney]

Welcome aboard.
We have had similar posts many times before and the answer will always be that outdrives are not ideal at displacement speeds. Its not impossible but it is very tiresome as continual steering adjustment is required. If you only intend to cruise on rivers at low speed then a river cruiser with shaft drive is the way to go.
All in my opinion of course.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Elza_Skip]

I have a 21ft boat with an outdrive and she definately takes more to keep her on line than the shaft drive cruisers I have used on the broads before.

However I suspect this is also an effect of the hull shape as a boat with an outdrive may be more designed for planning speeds. If you find a boat with a displacement hull with a keel then the fact it is outdrive or not will probably not be so much of an issue.

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[omega2]

Shafts every time

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[Althorne]

Ian's quite right I had an outleg boat at one time and low speed means lots of annoying work. Adding a 50mm extention to the keel did nothing so would go either outboard on the broads in summer it's weedy) or inboard shaft although a water jet would be perfect but probably impossible to find for your needs.

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[powerskipper]

try running the throttles at slightly different revs, increasing the power of the lee ward throttle more, this will make steering the out drive leg 10x better at low speed.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[Bejasus]

Blonde moment

'with an outdrive'

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[powerskipper]

Re: Blonde moment

You get the idea, LOL /forums/images/icons/blush.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[MandMEnterprises]

h00 has cottoned on to the fact that the Broads cruisers I'm looking at have a single outdrive, powered by a small diesel engine.

Mike.

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[oldgit]

Buy your boat on condition shafts or outdrives.Agree with others that hull shape is important factor.Although shafts will cost less to maintain the purchase price of a boat with shafts will tend to be greater than one with outdrives.
In exposed open water wind will be your main challenge.If you can master the art of holding your outdrive boat against a beam on wind while gently entering your berth ,you will have aquired handling skills far beyond the capabilities of the shaft drive crowd./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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[powerskipper]

Re: Advice please on out drives on the Broads

oh I see, well scrub what I said and er take other advice, keep forgetting boats can have one engine /forums/images/icons/frown.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[Bejasus]

actually Mike, I was pointing out Julie's error in her reply to Elza _Skip,. However, I have a 25 ft cruiser on the Broads with single inboard diesel and shaft drive.

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[CaptainThames]

Lots of good advice here but as ever everyone has their opinion. Having had a single engine outdrive boat on the Thames in ther past I offer a few pros and cons:
Outdrives:
Manoeuvrability is superb once you get the hang of it.
Continuous steering required to keep the boat on line.
Easy to clear weed, rope, fishing line or whatever fouls your prop.
Additional servicing cost and boat must be lifted out for servicing.
Also I would consider outboards broadly as the same pros and cons as outdrives except for the servicing.
Shafts - broadly the opposite:
Simple with expensive parts on the inside.
Manouevrability can still be good with a single shaft once you know your boat but outdrive will be better.
A fouled prop means either a swim or a lift out.

There are generally few boats with the option of type of drive so it can be a case of selecting the boat you want and accepting the propulsion system. It depends where your priorities are. Hull shape is an issue as many smaller outdrive boats are more geared towards higher speed and it is less usual though not impossible to find a steady displacement boat with an outdrive.

Frankly is you are looking at older second hand craft I would go for something like a Seamaster 27 as a starting point with a single diesel on a shaft. You will have stacks of good value cruising for the price of a 2nd hand Ford Mondeo.

Rob

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[britemp]

You can use outdrives on the Broads but it's not much fun in my experience. A shaft is a much better choice, but if you really want to enjoy the Broads make sure whatever boat your props are attached to it fits under Wroxham, Potter, Ludham and Wayford bridges etc or you'll miss out! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif


<hr width=100% size=1><< Sig removed at request from Kim Hollamby - he thought it might scare forumites! >>

 

[MandMEnterprises]

Thank you for your advice, everyone. It seems the few advantages of the outdrive are well outweighed by the disadvantages.

I'll go back to looking for a shaft drive!

Mike.

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[ontheplane]

When I was a kid we had a Buckingham 20 on the canal (limit 4knts). My father being an engineer wasn't prepared to put up with the "limitations" of a small outboard and the truly awful steering - and solved the problem thus....

Initially he tried adding a single rudder to the outboard but that made little improvement.

Then he tried plan (B) - To the top of the cavitation plate he attached twin rudders, angled slightly towards each other (at an angle of about 1 degree...) These rudders went from well above the prop to about 2" below. This formed a "tunnel" through which the water thrown back was channelled. The result was excellent steering even in neutral as long as the boat was moving - the rudders doing their job and providing a proper rudder (like a shaft). Also the boat could be turned in almost it's own length using forward and reverse and suitable lock.

It transformed the boat from a pain to a lovely, easy to handle craft, and I would reccommend it without hesitation - send me a PM if you want more info.

<hr width=100% size=1>Why can't we work 2 days a week and boat the other 5????

 

[Nauti Fox]

Like Catch 22 do you?
Welcome, Al.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[MandMEnterprises]

Yes, Al! Although I haven't read it for a long time now, but since my wife and I are both "M"s, it's been our little in-joke for a long time!

Mike.

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[Nauti Fox]

Don't go nicking the parachutes!


<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[simmit]

I have no idea if it would be practical or if it would work at all but has anyone tried to positively lock an outleg or outboard in the straight ahead position then arrange bracket(s) for a steering rudder to be positioned aft of the prop? Such a modification doesn't sound too difficult a job to me and it may be an answer for someone whose only problem with an existing boat is that the outboard steering is rather tedious.
I'd be interested in comments as I'm a first time boater about to buy a Viking 26 (broad beam not narrow) with an outboard Honda.

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