how to know what size of Engine? [5.5 steel canal boat]

[maillme]

Hi all,

I have a small canal boat, which will only be used int he canals of amsterdam. It is 5.5m by approx 1.5m wide.... and is steel.

I am looking at some 2nd hand outboards to put on this. I do not want anything fast (the speed limit is 7.5km).

I have seen some nice Suzuki and Nimarine engines, but they are 2.5hp short-hsaft, and I was wondering if this will be enough for my needs? My instinct says yes - as it's just to move the boat... not to move it fast......

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Neil

boat its going to be cleaned up!)

http://postimg.org/image/9aaz9irw1/

 

[rosssavage]

Sounds a little underpowered for me. A 20m steel narrow boat would typically have a 40-50hp engine, or more. I would think minimum of 10hp to be safe on your 5.5m.

I understand you don't want to go fast, but don't forget your engine is also your brakes. Once you get moving, 2.5hp would take forever to stop, possibly dangerously so if you needed to stop or manouevre in a hurry.

 

[maillme]

Thank you all.

 

[rustybarge]

Hi all,

I have a small canal boat, which will only be used int he canals of amsterdam. It is 5.5m by approx 1.5m wide.... and is steel.

I am looking at some 2nd hand outboards to put on this. I do not want anything fast (the speed limit is 7.5km).

I have seen some nice Suzuki and Nimarine engines, but they are 2.5hp short-hsaft, and I was wondering if this will be enough for my needs? My instinct says yes - as it's just to move the boat... not to move it fast......

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Neil

boat its going to be cleaned up!)

http://postimg.org/image/9aaz9irw1/

I have a Tohatsu 6hp saildrive outboard which has a propeller especially designed for pushing heavy boats.
Buy the extra longshaft version, it's about £1100, and I can highly recommend it for any boat up to 2 tons.

Should give you about 5kts half throttle, 6kts flat out.

 

[maillme]

1100 us a bit out my budget....

I am renting this boat out to friends and family, so I dont want it fast at all - 5km/h would be perfect given the speed limist in amsterdam.... now my dillema:

- 2nd hand suzuki 2.5hp (2007: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/watersp...782421166-suzuki-2-5-pk-buitenboordmotor.html) EUR 400
- brand new Nimarine 2.5hp with 2 year guarantee (someone told me NiMarine is cheaper brand of yamaha but cant find any truth in that) EUR 475
- 2nd hand mercury 4hp (2004: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/watersp...ercury-4-pk-four-stroke-buitenboordmotor.html) EUR 500

I honestly just dont know where to start and would appreciate any advice....

Neil

 

[rustybarge]

1100 us a bit out my budget....

I am renting this boat out to friends and family, so I dont want it fast at all - 5km/h would be perfect given the speed limist in amsterdam.... now my dillema:

- 2nd hand suzuki 2.5hp (2007: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/watersp...782421166-suzuki-2-5-pk-buitenboordmotor.html) EUR 400
- brand new Nimarine 2.5hp with 2 year guarantee (someone told me NiMarine is cheaper brand of yamaha but cant find any truth in that) EUR 475
- 2nd hand mercury 4hp (2004: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/watersp...ercury-4-pk-four-stroke-buitenboordmotor.html) EUR 500

I honestly just dont know where to start and would appreciate any advice....

Neil

I have a Yamaha 2.5hp........It is far too small to push 5.5mtr steel boat, it will NOT work, full stop!

4hp will allow you to pootle along......but if it gets windy you will be going backwards.

 

[rosssavage]

10hp minimum. I said that already!!

 

[sea-commander]

I'd agree, 2,5hp is not enough, even in the small canals of Amsterdam.
4-5hp absolute minimum, better 10 imho.

 

[chaldon3]

i would look at a four stroke personally,how ever if you are going to be removing after each trip they are a bit heaver.