Fitting an auxiliary outboard to an Antares 6

[Melbourne12]

My first post, and a request for information or advice, I'm afraid.

My brother in law has just bought a second hand Beneteau Antares 6, intending to do a little cruising and some fishing. I know a little about fishing, but nothing about boats, having always relied on charter skippers to sort that out for me.

So, please excuse in advance what may be a daft question.

The boat has no trolling valve, just a standard 115hp inboard engine. It also has a bathing platform. Bro in law has been told that he can fit a small outboard, both as a backup and as a trolling engine, and has asked me to help him buy one.

First question is, how can an outboard be fitted? I realise that normally it just clamps on the transom, but the platform will get in the way. There's a hatch in the platform, but it's offset to starboard. Does it clamp directly to the platform? If so, how is it controlled?

Second question (assuming the answer to the first isn't that it can't be done ) is what sort of power should we be looking at? I'm assuming somewhere in the 4 to 8hp range, but that's only a guess. Presumably we should be looking for a saildrive type engine, to drive a such a boat at low speed?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Drifter]

I think fitting an outboard to the Antares via the dive platform is an easy fix. I'm sure the Arvor range comes as standard with an outboard fixing point on the platform so you can maybe take a look at how the Arvor owners have approached the situation. The only thing you may need to consider is the outboard probably needs to be "short shaft" and the bracket needs be the hinged cantilever type that lowers the engine into the water and lifts it clear when not needed. Unless of course you intend to stow the engine and only use it when trolling, in which case a long shaft will be ok with standard outboard G clamps to the platform fixing point.

 

[PaulGooch]

You fit it to the bathing platform. Personally i wouldn't want it there all the time though. I'd have it stowed on a rail bracket and only attach it to the platform when i wanted to use it. 6 HP if right for the Antares 6.

To control it, you lock the outboard steering dead ahead, set the throttle to where you want it and steer from the helm.

Now, with an inboard diesel, i don't see why you can't troll with the main engine.

EDIT : Some brackets here http://www.marinescene.co.uk/category/515/outboard-brackets

 

[Melbourne12]

Thanks very much both of you - that's a great help!

 

[Firefly625]

Hi, I had a MF625, so similar to the Ant6 but outboard... not inboard. With a bathing platform you need to get something like this;

http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/info_TRES3000010.html

or these are even better if you can find one in this country, GARELICK EEZ-In!

or this, this is actually a Bayliner part apparently... if you find a supplier of either of these in the UK, do let me know!

However the one thing I would strongly recommend is a long shaft outboard.. I do agree that with a bathing platform mounting it would be something you would need to take off however and therefore I would probably recommend a 4hp rather than a 6hp, to save a bit of weight as a 6hp L/S is a heavy lump to lug around.

This was my set up... obviously rather different.. but gives you an idea.

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip> I would probably recommend a 4hp rather than a 6hp, to save a bit of weight as a 6hp L/S is a heavy lump to lug around.

The Mercury/Mariner/Tohatsu 4/5/6 HP engines are all identical apart form some stickers and different carbs. Hence they all weigh the same.

 

[RIN]

Bayliner

Hi, I had a MF625, so similar to the Ant6 but outboard... not inboard. With a bathing platform you need to get something like this;



or this, this is actually a Bayliner part apparently... if you find a supplier of either of these in the UK, do let me know!

I had one of those on my Bayliner 2455. I started the Outboard and at high revs and it broke the bathing platform (It was Plastic on a Bayliner - in sections) The morale is always start your o/b in Neutral and be gentle. Maybe the Ant6 has a more solid bathing platform