Backup/Auxiliary outboard... What HP for my boat?

[blackrandomapple]

Hi all,

So im wondering what is the best size outboard to use as a backup for my 5.7m jeanneau Cap camarat.

I have 2 in the garage, I yamaha Malta 2stroke that i believe is 3Hp and a Honda 2.3Hp fourstroke

What is more suited?

 

[CLB]

If you are operating in coastal waters I would say neither. You might get away with 6hp, but I would want 10hp on the back if it were me.

 

[blackrandomapple]

If you are operating in coastal waters I would say neither. You might get away with 6hp, but I would want 10hp on the back if it were me.

Ahhhh poop, The Honda is the motor that came with the boat and has been with it for as far back as i know, so you think it wont be much good? i normally head out no more than 5miles from torquay harbour, im asking because im planning on travelling from torquay to weymouth.. Ive never done anything involving distance so im taking extra care

Maybe ill strap both to the back haha

 

[sprocker]

I asked the same question of the forum a few years ago, and received some very sound advice which was.......

Forget the auxiliary, make sure your main engine is serviced correctly, carry a set of critical spares (filters, spark plugs etc), spend £140 and join sea start.

Advice I have followed since.

I'm in Torquay and looking to do a cruise to Weymouth area next year, so I would be very interested in how you get on.

 

[blackrandomapple]

I asked the same question of the forum a few years ago, and received some very sound advice which was.......

Forget the auxiliary, make sure your main engine is serviced correctly, carry a set of critical spares (filters, spark plugs etc), spend £140 and join sea start.

Advice I have followed since.

I'm in Torquay and looking to do a cruise to Weymouth area next year, so I would be very interested in how you get on.

if all goes to plan we will be doing in Wednesday, trawling and looking out for dolphins on route.. wish me luck, Its quite far.
Ive only ever been used to playing around with wakeboarding etc, never more than a mile or 2 from the shore. I did once travel from teighmouth to torquay though

 

[AndieMac]

Hi all,

So im wondering what is the best size outboard to use as a backup for my 5.7m jeanneau Cap camarat.

I have 2 in the garage, I yamaha Malta 2stroke that i believe is 3Hp and a Honda 2.3Hp fourstroke

What is more suited?

Personally I prefer/need the ability to get myself out of potential trouble, as we do our boating in more remote areas, away from rescue services, so go down the auxiliary route. But that is just a personal opinion.
I would still take one of the little outboards along, just to keep you off the rocks or hold your bow into the wave direction while sorting yourself out or waiting for a tow.

Another useful option is a proper sea anchor, a parachute version, not a yachties drogue. Enough to hold your head directly to weather and slow your wind driven drift rate (unfortunately not tidal drift though) down.
Trying to sort out a failed engine (or de-weeding a prop), head down in the bilge, while the boat is rolling her gunnels under is no fun.
The Para sea anchors are also great for fishing as well.

 

[blackrandomapple]

Personally I prefer/need the ability to get myself out of potential trouble, as we do our boating in more remote areas, away from rescue services, so go down the auxiliary route. But that is just a personal opinion.
I would still take one of the little outboards along, just to keep you off the rocks or hold your bow into the wave direction while sorting yourself out or waiting for a tow.

Another useful option is a proper sea anchor, a parachute version, not a yachties drogue. Enough to hold your head directly to weather and slow your wind driven drift rate (unfortunately not tidal drift though) down.
Trying to sort out a failed engine (or de-weeding a prop), head down in the bilge, while the boat is rolling her gunnels under is no fun.
The Para sea anchors are also great for fishing as well.

not sure what a para sea anchor is, ill google it now.

my anchor holds me just fine, on the odd occasion i will drift but i have a anchor alarm for that. i can see me getting stuck in deep waters maybe..?

Of course i will take one of the motors... not sure what one, im thinking honda as its 4stroke and potentially more reliable than 2stroke...

 

[AndieMac]

not sure what a para sea anchor is, ill google it now.

my anchor holds me just fine, on the odd occasion i will drift but i have a anchor alarm for that. i can see me getting stuck in deep waters maybe..?

Of course i will take one of the motors... not sure what one, im thinking honda as its 4stroke and potentially more reliable than 2stroke...

Check it out on Google/YouTube, but essentially a small parachute that sits just below the water surface, attracted to the bow around ten metres away. Light, easy to stow and use.
Good idea to attach a second light line outside, top central part of the parachute to be able to easily retrieve it, spill the water essentially.

 

[AndieMac]

http://www.paraanchors.com.au/drift-anchors

 

[Fishtigua]

We had a client in on Friday who was very chuffed with his new purchase. An Orkney with a Yam main engine with a Yam 4hp Aux.

I gently pointed out to him that if he dropped the Aux, only about 1/2" of the prop touched the water and it would be hit or miss if the water pick-up worked.

This is getting changed next week!

 

[AndieMac]

We had a client in on Friday who was very chuffed with his new purchase. An Orkney with a Yam main engine with a Yam 4hp Aux.

I gently pointed out to him that if he dropped the Aux, only about 1/2" of the prop touched the water and it would be hit or miss if the water pick-up worked.

This is getting changed next week!

Yes they really are just a small dinghy motor in there usual short-shaft configuration and of course lift out of the water as the boat pitches in even the smallest wave conditions.

 

[blackrandomapple]

I asked the same question of the forum a few years ago, and received some very sound advice which was.......

Forget the auxiliary, make sure your main engine is serviced correctly, carry a set of critical spares (filters, spark plugs etc), spend £140 and join sea start.

Advice I have followed since.

I'm in Torquay and looking to do a cruise to Weymouth area next year, so I would be very interested in how you get on.

Didnt do the torquay to weymouth trip in the end