Get me home outboard

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jccurrie

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Hi Guys ,I`m a new member here having just purchased my firse ever boat , A Mayland Maestro :-) it has a 50hp 2 stroke Mariner outboard on it ,which i`m thinking will push it along quite nicely, now I imagine this will be the first of many questions i`m gona hope you`ll help me with so here goes, Should I have a back up outboard for emergencies just to get me home , and if so what should I be looking at trying to get a hold of, bearing in mind budget is tight but saftey is imprortant eh :-) i`d only be kicking around loch lomond at first but hopefully as I get a bit braver might wander further afield thanks in advance :-)
 
Maestro is 21ft right? If so, I would suggest on calm waters almost any outboard would get you home at slow displacement speeds. Fit one of those lifting brackets and get something like a 4hp. If you're going coastal I would probably upgrade to a 9.9, but it then becomes a more permanent installation. It will still only push you along at 4ish knots, but the extra power will help overcome wind and tides.
 
Hi CLB , luckily enough there`s a lifting bracket already fitted :-) whats your thoughts on an old seagull outboard, opinion is very divided according to google :-)
 
I'm sorry but in my opinion your yard gave you the worst advice ever. It's like these new cars without a bloody spare wheel.
A aux outboard should be used regularly just to maintain it, agreed. In one year, on my 21 foot speedboat/cuddy I had to use my aux 3 times to get me back . None were due to lack of engine maintenance.
1st- grub screw on throttle lever fell out. An amercan size Allen key wouldn't you believe it. Neither my metric nor imperial would fit.
2nd - sheared starter motor bolt
3rd - outdrive gear shed a tooth and jammed the gears.

There is enormous peace of mind in having backup and you should always plan to be as self sufficient as is practicable imo. A 17 kg aux ~3hp 2stroke outboard is a small price to pay.
 
A get you home back up is always a good idea.

Make sure you get a long shaft 'saildrive' type. The longshaft keeps the prop in the water and the saildrive option will give you a larger diameter prop with a fine pitch which will give more thrust at low boat speeds

As for it seizing up, just start it up every couple of weaks and run it for a minute or two. If it needs a different fuel mix dump it into the main engine tank and get a fresh supply every couple of months.
 
Hi JCcurrie
Loch Lomond is my stomping ground and has been for 30+years of boat ownership.
I'm sure you are aware, there are many perils on the Loch. A wee get you home outboard is a great idea. Especially if you have an old two stroke (Although I'm a big fan of the 2 Stroke, you need to get to know and trust them) with which you aren't familiar.
I'd say a decent 6/8 hp 2 cylinder 2 stroke would be a wise choice. They are pretty hard to come by, as they are favoured my most for their power to weight ratio. Perhaps pop into crossan outboards in balloch to see what they have or leave your number, should they come across one.
I think it has been said already, but you would need to know whether it's a long shaft or short you are after, depending on if you already have an aux mount fitted. If you don't, then you can probably take your pick and just adjust the fitment location of the one you fit to suit. If you can get away with a short shaft then do so. The short shaft version of these type of outboards is of more use in my opinion as they can also be used to make a wee rubber tender or rib fly !
Good luck and perhaps I'll see you around next season (if this winter depression ever passes)
Allan
 
Longshaft, short shaft makes little difference in an aux so long as, the prop and water intakes are in the water and you can still operate the tiller. The outboard bracket you will be using most likely will be height and lift out adjustable. If the prop isn't in the ideal position below the transom will make precious little difference at displacement speeds except in a very steep chop where the prop may briefly clear the water. Your main concern will be can you steer. A short shaft may not give you that clearance

outboard_motor_mount_20hp_alum.jpg
 
My first boat had a Mercury 115 on an 18 foot boat and a 2 stroke 5hp worked great. I've since gone 26 foot and 175hp and still have a 5hp but 4 stroke on a longshaft and it copes ok but I'd say anything outside of a calm day it's more a "keep me off the rocks" solution rather than motor home for any distance.
The aux mount already referenced is ideal and a word of advice, make sure you have a suitable lanyard to avoid losing it if it works loose. Mine double us as security but whichever works for you.
 
QBhoy said:
Hi JCcurrie
Loch Lomond is my stomping ground and has been for 30+years of boat ownership.
I'm sure you are aware, there are many perils on the Loch. A wee get you home outboard is a great idea. Especially if you have an old two stroke (Although I'm a big fan of the 2 Stroke, you need to get to know and trust them) with which you aren't familiar.
I'd say a decent 6/8 hp 2 cylinder 2 stroke would be a wise choice. They are pretty hard to come by, as they are favoured my most for their power to weight ratio. Perhaps pop into crossan outboards in balloch to see what they have or leave your number, should they come across one.
I think it has been said already, but you would need to know whether it's a long shaft or short you are after, depending on if you already have an aux mount fitted. If you don't, then you can probably take your pick and just adjust the fitment location of the one you fit to suit. If you can get away with a short shaft then do so. The short shaft version of these type of outboards is of more use in my opinion as they can also be used to make a wee rubber tender or rib fly !
Good luck and perhaps I'll see you around next season (if this winter depression ever passes)
Allan
Click to expand...

Thanks Allan , i think i`ll do that, ive been offered a mooring in Balmaha Boatyard , i`ll maybe also ask them if they have anything suitable,
have a look out for me next year , Ill be the one going round incircles :-)
 
BruceK said:
Longshaft, short shaft makes little difference in an aux so long as, the prop and water intakes are in the water and you can still operate the tiller. The outboard bracket you will be using most likely will be height and lift out adjustable. If the prop isn't in the ideal position below the transom will make precious little difference at displacement speeds except in a very steep chop where the prop may briefly clear the water. Your main concern will be can you steer. A short shaft may not give you that clearance

View attachment 61445
Click to expand...

thats the exact bracket on the boat :-)
 
My 24' 2.5 ton boat works fine with a 6hp 4-stroke auxiliary. I'm using the smallest pitch prop available.

The boat has broken down several times but not since I bought and fitted the auxiliary; so money well spent :)
 
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