inboard / outboard / outrive? I just can't decide

[colinwcolclough]

inboard / outboard / outrive? I just can\'t decide

Like to hear your thoughts on this one guys.

I have a 20ft fishing cruiser, currently undergoing a ground up refit. Has a 25+ year old Vovlo petrol engine (120hp ish) and outdrive. Problem is, engine cover is obtrusive into fishing space. Do I....

1) fit decent modern outdrive. Remove engine, fit decent more modern equivilant, probably marinised car / van engine about 4-5 feet forward, giving me more fishing spac at the transom. This would require making and fitting a driveshaft and extended exhaust and cooling system.

2) Remove outdrive and engine, fill transom, fit a large bracket / diving platform (available form shetland, though boat isn't a shetland) with a decent modern 4 stroke outboard.

These points should be borne in mind.

Boat will mainly be used on the Clyde and west coast of Scotland.
Used mainly for fishing and cruising.
Outboard will be quieter and give more space onboard.
Inboard will be easier to fix in a seaway.
Budget in the region of £5K
I'm expecting to fit engine in about 2 years, but will need to do the preparation work this year.
I'm looking for max speed about 20+ knots with cruising at 15 ish.

Look forward to hearing your ideas. Anyone tried moving the engine forward before?

Cheers,

Colin.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AndrewB]

Re: inboard / outboard / outrive? I just can\'t decide

You might get better response to this if you repost on the MoBo forum as its mostly raggies here. Given your location, my guess is that reliability has to be important. By and large, sports fishing boats other than the very smallest do not generally rely on a single outboard.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

Re: inboard / outboard / outrive? I just can\'t decide

No. 2 everytime but get a new'ish quality OB. You are however going to need a minimum 50/60 hp and this will push your budget - around a 75 Optimax or equivelent would be my choice balancing cost/weight/performance and running costs.

Single OB is a very common layout for that size of craft - you rbiggest decision is probably whether invest in an appropriate auxiallary which you could probably rig to the platform pretty easily (say a 5hp / 2 stroke) or put the money into the main engine. I would do the latter but that's purely a matter of personal choice. A good modern OB shouldn't have any problems and most larger ones now have some element of systems redundancy for get you home running. Up to a 90 you should be able to start on a cord as well if you suffer battery failure - any bigger and it becomes a bit of a no no!
Good luck with the project.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[bruce]

Re: inboard / outboard / outrive? I just can\'t decide

which is easiest to have serviced in the area you boat in, what ever that is, is one that i would consider. fancy outboard motor mounts used in this conversion over here cost over $1000 each. would use 4 cycle outboard for better fuel economy. over here there are lots of smaller outdrive systems that have been removed to install monster motors, and are less expensive than new units. good luck what ever you choose to do.

<hr width=100% size=1>