Hi I'm new here

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Neil Watson

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19 Dec 2009
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Location
Wivenhoe, near Colchester, Essex
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Hi
Sorry - I'm finding my way around this site and may have duplicated my post, but wanted to introduce myself...

After quite some time of trying to establish the type of boat I have, I have finally come to the conclusion that it's a Teal. Being new to the boating world, I originally thought I had a Norman, and more recently a Callumcraft - but I think I've now discovered it's true identity.

After searching online I have found this forum, and would very much like to join in please.

I was given the boat as a near-wreck, and have been recording my restoration adventure on my blog www.aboatformypotplants.blogspot.com

I'll soon be coming to a point where getting a motor is the next main hurdle, so I'm sure any information I can gleam from this forum would be most welcome.

Thanks
Neil
 
Welcome aboard & don't mind the old farts fighting in the corner, it's time for the next round & nobody wants to pay.

The advice on here is excellent provided you already know what you want as you can then disregard the stuff that doesn't fit your predjudices. :D

Enjoy the fun but please don't take us or yourself too seriously, it can lead to tears.
 
Welcome to the mad house (although strictly speaking that is the Lounge). You'll get plenty of good opinions on which motor to get, there is a lot of experience on here. Just be careful how you phrase the question when it comes to the anchor ... :D
 
Your boat

hello Neil
I enjoyed your blog and you seem to be having a lot of fun restoring it.
Wooden boats need a lot of attention.
You seem to be very fortunate to have a jetty mooring so close to home. This is probably the best part of your good fortune. It is also fortunate that you are happy to do the carpentry yourself.
I am not sure I would love the mud so much but you can't have everything.
You will be needing a motor for it. A 10HP might do it on the river but a bit more grunt might be more appreciated. Indeed a friend recently got a new motor for his 25ft boat 230HP Mercury for around the 20K squid or more. Nice motor mind you with all the electronic bells whistles and LCD screen. It proved to be more powerful, economical and quieter than the volvo V8 with contra rotating props.
Anyway back to the real world. You will want a steering position where you can sit up and see where you are going. Most small o/bs are designed for you to sit next tot hem and steer with a tiller. Does the boat have a steering wheel and cables? Is there a throttle control?
I don't imagine the little Johnson 4HP does much. Certainly not against a head wind or flowing tide.
good luck and do persevere with the DIY.
 
Hello, Neil, good morning - and welcome.

I note your post was made around 0314hrs. That's well after chucking out time! Where on earth were you until that ungodly hour? Clubbing....? ;)

It looks as though you'll be a popular contributor, for your blog points to all the right 'officer qualities' for a forumeer, and an EastCoaster. Roll them sleeves up and wade in.... :D
 
Your boat seems to have wheel steering and remote throttle and gear controls.
With the cut-out in the transom that low I'm certain a standard shaft engine will be suitable. Check this link for measurements http://www.smalloutboards.com/shaft.htm
It will need a remote control fitting kit to connect to the control cables. These are up to £200 depending on the motor make and model so if you are looking around for a used engine try to get one with a remotes kit already fitted. (if the ad says "tiller steering" it probably hasn't).
You'll probably want an electric start model as well. Most at 8hp and above are available with one and again you need to make sure it is fitted as fitting it after the event is expensive.
I would go for a four stroke as they are quieter, more frugal and don't stink the cockpit up like 2 strokes.
Used outboards can be a disaster waiting to happen. I would suggest buying from a dealer with a warranty. Bill Higham in Manchester is good, but not very local to you.
 
Thanks

Thanks to all who have made me feel very welcome. I promise I won't take things too seriously, but seriously, the advice so far received, has been received very gratefully.

My first post last night (actually my 2nd post, but the first one didn't really count) was in the wee small hours. Couldn't sleep. Too excited about this boat thing that's goin' on.

I hope my blog isn't out of place here, and manages to provide a combination of tongue-in-cheek, the occasional seriousness, but mostly fun.

I am brimming with excitement about the next blog, which I'll post soon. It is about an outboard motor and a quite extraordinary story involving a 'secret millionaire' (true, of course) that occurred recently.

Neil
 
This forum

What is nice about this forum is that all levels of sophistication in boating seem to be accepted as having value in the forum and as boat owners.
Your blog of the boat for pot plants brings a smile. It is so far from the experiences of some others. Be they mad racers or round the world voyagers. Long may you enjoy your boat as a place for pot plants.
What will happen though is that when and if you take your boat out to sea you will have a whole new relationship with the boat.
A small boat is a wonderous thing in big waves. You get a real close feeling for the boat. It rises to every wave and shrugs off the ones that come aboard. It is I imagine a bit like a rider and a jumping horse. Your own dependence on the boat makes it all different.
Your emphasis might then be to make the boat more sea worthy and prepared for the trials out there.
Even just voyaging on the river will change every thing about how you feel for the boat. good luck olewill
 
Welcome Neil

I'm fairly new here too.
Loved your blog from the quick look at the pictures I've had so far. In particular, inspired by the multi-pronged attack on the standing headroom problem -lower the floor a bit and change to a No. 2 comb on the hair clippers.
May I offer a forum tip? When you post a query of a technical nature let the replies roll in for a day or two then do a search on - "broadly correct, but strictly speaking..." Call the first occurrence of this string "Post X" . Then Post X-1 is the one you want. X and all subsequent posts can be safely considered "further reading".
Mike
[only joking -honest! Actually I print them all out and save them for the sake of ballast, balance I mean, BALANCE]
 
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