Inboard or outboard?

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Ok, just bought a stripped out 16' oyster and although it had an inboard before not sure it's worth going to the effort of installing new engine beds and sourcing a cheap little single cylinder to pop in there. Gutting thing is I just sold a single cylinder Sabb a few weeks ago that had been getting in my way, always the same.

If I go for the inboard whats the easiest engine bed install? grp boat refits are still newish to me, been a wood/steel kinda guy for the last 40 yrs.

s-l1600 (1).jpg
 

Bajansailor

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If you do go for another inboard engine, get the engine first along with all the parts like the coupling, shaft and shaft log, and fit them in position to suit (you could hang the engine from a small gantry over the boat?).
And then build the new beds to suit where the engine mounts are located.
Is that a plugged hole in the back of the keel for a stern tube, or is it just a drain?
If it is for the stern tube, there does not appear to be much clearance for a transom hung rudder?

It might be easier in the long run to just use a suitable outboard motor on the transom?
 
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There's plenty of clearance for the rudder, 15-18"

as for the engine I usually mock up a dummy engine, which makes it easier for roughing in the beds.

Welding up a stainless bracket on the transom might well be the easiest option but I really do loath outboards but as I won't be keeping the boat I guess It doesn't matter.

For such a small inboard would laminating strips of marine play together to adequate thickness be acceptable and then glassing that all in with 1/4" of glass?
 

Ferris

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I’d go outboard. The only real disadvantage of an outboard is security I feel.

Question would be to put it on the transom or in an outboard well. Transom hung would be quicker to do and leave more space in the boat. If you put a well in it would possibly be better for security, for keeping the prop in the water in a sea and for better freeboard at the transom. It would be a lot more work however.

Personally I’d do transom hung and go boating, like this one 16ft Oyster, Kilkeel - Ad 115874

Nice project!
 
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I’d go outboard. The only real disadvantage of an outboard is security I feel.

Question would be to put it on the transom or in an outboard well. Transom hung would be quicker to do and leave more space in the boat. If you put a well in it would possibly be better for security, for keeping the prop in the water in a sea and for better freeboard at the transom. It would be a lot more work however.

Personally I’d do transom hung and go boating, like this one 16ft Oyster, Kilkeel - Ad 115874

Nice project!

If I did go the outboard route I probably wouldn't start chopping the transom about, I'd fabricate a bolt on fixed bracket so and future owner could revert back to inboard and maintain the look.
 

Ferris

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Most commercial small boats, potters etc. have been outboard powered for some time. Nice 15hp Honda, lifted clear of the water when not in use, put it in the shed in winter, in the boot of the car for a service, no diesel bug, no engine taking up the middle of the boat, no diesel smell, no prop calcs, no stern gland / rudder stock......
 

Ferris

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If I did go the outboard route I probably wouldn't start chopping the transom about, I'd fabricate a bolt on fixed bracket so and future owner could revert back to inboard and maintain the look.

Hadn’t thought of that, would need to think about outboard shaft length and tiller length but it’s an option
 
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Most commercial small boats, potters etc. have been outboard powered for some time. Nice 15hp Honda, lifted clear of the water when not in use, put it in the shed in winter, in the boot of the car for a service, no diesel bug, no engine taking up the middle of the boat, no diesel smell, no prop calcs, no stern gland / rudder stock......
Makes a little more sense if you're a registered boat. Claiming the duty back and the speed getting in and out. I gave up commercial fishing years ago. My little pilot runs all year and used daily to get to other boats and river fishing on 20ish gallons a year.
 

Ferris

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Makes a little more sense if you're a registered boat. Claiming the duty back and the speed getting in and out. I gave up commercial fishing years ago. My little pilot runs all year and used daily to get to other boats and river fishing on 20ish gallons a year.

Arguably still a small fuel cost from a small 4stroke outboard and you would have to offset that against a probable higher cost upfront for an inboard with the gubbins. FWIW I like diesels in launches. In my youth I drove them as ferries in my club and we used them extensively for towing so inboard shaft drive was great. If you just want an inboard based on preference than you should go for it, but it’s likely to be less cost effective and will take longer to fit. With way I look forward to the build thread
 
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Arguably still a small fuel cost from a small 4stroke outboard and you would have to offset that against a probable higher cost upfront for an inboard with the gubbins. FWIW I like diesels in launches. In my youth I drove them as ferries in my club and we used them extensively for towing so inboard shaft drive was great. If you just want an inboard based on preference than you should go for it, but it’s likely to be less cost effective and will take longer to fit. With way I look forward to the build thread
I wouldn't be looking at anything expensive for an inboard, gutting thing is I sold an 8hp sabb only weeks ago as I was fed up knocking my knee on it in my workshop. Got a few shafts knocking about, pretty sure I've got one small enough.

Maybe just smashing a new deck in, glass over the stern hole and seacock inlet and a lick of paint is my best option, let the next owner choose the engine.
 
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