Inboard outboard

G

GeoffNZ

New Member
Joined
14 May 2020
Messages
15
Visit site
Hi all. Already smitten with the 26 ft 1964 carvel planked British folkboat that I acquired 10 days ago having only seen pics of her. Boarded for first time today as lockdown eased.
There is an oily recess (and odour) where the old volvo was removed. She came with a 1975 Buhk DV10 M (dynamo start ) not yet installed (told they bench tested it) and also a custom made outboard adapter and the bracket.No outboard though.
Advice I am seeking is firstly will the Bukh actually fit . Have yet to investigate fully but prop shaft has a rusty old flange with rubber inserts to mate up to. All the rest of the fittings and pipes hanging there ready.
Secondly inboard or outboard?
Do I need to reinforce the transom - adapter stand and motor will add up to a bit of weight.
What size outboard for 26 ft.
Thanks for any advice.
 
Jamie N is your man on this. But my feeling is go for the inboard. Having an outboard out on that narrow stern is not fun. Get the engine looked at by a pro, if you feel that it is not within your experience, then fit it. Maybe first sling it in first to check clearances. Or, look around for a Yanmar 1GM10, they do fit.
Inboard diesel is streets ahead of an outboard. Espes if you are in NZ, with lively waters..
 
Hi GeoffNZ, and welcome to the boat that all others compare themselves to, and most owner's wish that they still had.
I've got a Honda 2.3 long shaft outboard that I put on a homemade bracket on the transom and will get me around in about 3.7 kts, on a flat day, but would cavitate on a fish fart. I extended the motor 6" extra and it's better in waves, but at the end of the day, not enough power. I've no idea how a larger engine would work off of a transom mounted bracket, but it's going to be less effective than an inboard. With my outboard only though, I've been able to do Western Isles and Pentland Firth stuff a few times with confidence, or ignorance of course.
An inboard is the best thing, albeit not in the original design or concept of a Folkboat, but it works. Up here in Scotland, I'd say that it's nearly essential to have a good experience. It's impossible to say whether your Bukh will fit without being there. I've fitted a couple of different design engines in STAKKR without worrying about space.
What DownWest says is bang on, hire a bloke who knows, and can look at your actual situation, and you'll be better off.
As an aside, DO keep on this forum and share your experience with the boat, and with pictures, so that the rest of us can gain from your experience!
 
I have been looking at Folkboats and IF Boats for sale, and three or four have disappeared from listings this week. Yours was probably one. I think I remember it, nice buy... very reasonable price!

HP may depend on the tides you sometimes have to deal with remember. Most of the IF Boats seem to have outboards and they are commonly 5HP Marinas (good engines, had one myself). They mostly have a common bracket where the engines slides down. Some also fit them in an engine well that could be requested new. Inboards are very old ten HP versions... no thanks, I would put in a new Beta or Yanmar.

I prefer outboards as they don,t have a dragging prop, are easier to service, don't need cutless bearings, seacocks, exhaust traps, corroding exhaust elbows on Yanmars which few even know about, you don,t need to winterise them, no batteries, no diesel bug in an old rotting tank, easier to fill up petrol cans at a petrol station and to keep fresh by using anything left over in your mower or car, no hassle with anything around the prop etc etc BUT as a tool they don,t work as well on a Folkboat than an inboard. The outboards can lift out of the water in a chop apparently, you have to reach back for the controls and sometimes to steer due to their position at the side of the rudder. Consider weight distribution also with a heavy inboard! Think I would borrow and try an outboard first if it has a decent bracket already to see how you get on with it before you go down the costly, hassly route of installing an outboard. Have fun...
 
Last edited:
I had a 5HP longshaft outboard on the transom of a Sadler25 and got by. Here she is at the entrance to Loch Tarbert, Jura.
Whirligig.jpg
Pros:
Lots of storage space. Coolbox lived in the engine compartment... Dinghy went in there also, as did the outboard when racing.
Could turn the boat on a sixpence - turn the outboard.
Cons:
Engine unreliable in any amount of swell - prop needs to be in the water!
With bracket on one side, any amount of wind from that side means prop will be out the water - even under bare poles. Just put up the sails?

Mine was a sailing boat, so outboard was OK. If you want a motor boat it's different.
 
When 'out & about' cruising, I keep the outboard on the transom as a really useful tool for manoeuvring in a marina, plus slight security of a spare engine to hand if needed.
In most conditions I've got it raised out of the water, and it's not noticeable at all. I'd not like to not have the inboard (Ruggerini RM90 just fitted and unused), if only for charging the batteries. A lot would depend on the type of sailing that you do. Banging about the Solent, is a bit different to Pentland Firth & Cape Wrath stuff I reckon and wouldn't cause much concern with 'only' an outboard. It's a choice of course, but if you've got the Bukh available, and only the fitting cost on top, if you don't fit it y'self, I'd reckon that it's a no-brainer to go with it.
Any pictures of the (magnificent) Folkboat?
 
I should add that my outboard had a 4amp charging coil fitted. Log and echo-sounder were powered by "large" 6volt internal batteries and the only thing needing power was a VHF.
 
Going back tp my comment about getting a pro to look at the Bukh. An old salt water cooled engine needs a close look before spending on the installation cost. While it might run on a bench test, unless you have a detailed history there could be all sorts of horrors hiding in it's corroded guts.
As above, depends on your sailing area. Outboards work OK in less choppy waters. But I have enduring memories of spending a tide trying to get into Alderney in the CIs. Blowing 7 and the OB, in a well, was cavitating half the time as we tacked at the top of the race and needed all the help it could give. If on the transom, it would have been much less help.
 
Last edited:
Many thanks for all the guidance. DownWest yes I am in NZ in Marlborough Sounds so might fit an outboard in the short term aiming for an inboard before heading too far afield.
As shes all setup for an inboard wouldn't want to pull all the plumbing and wiring out only to have to put it back in the future. Meanwhile I will tidy it all up drain the tanks and plug things off while sorting out what all the bits are for.
Peering aft behind where the engine was there appears to be some framing that may need attention. Tomorrows job crawling up into the stern and hoping for solid wood. Condition report showed her to be sound Feb 2019.
Lot of condensation as has been closed up for some months so will air out, dry off and check for rain tightness before I get her out to check the hull. Winter here mild compared to you all so time to get stuck in. Probably jinxed myself into 3 months of rain.
Difficulty is deciding what to start on first. Checking the bilge pump is coming on automatically (solar battery top up) is probably number 1?
I've made up a rough plywood bukh shaped box to see if it will fit. Yes will have engine looked at if I can find somewhere reasonably priced.
Wansworth theres meant to be dual s/s tanks under the bench seats yet to investigate.
She is a 1964 British built folkboat built by J G Parharm mahogony on oak which has found her way down under. No history of her life hopefully will find out in time.
No pictures myself yet but advertisement placed by owner before last, is still on net. Pictures from Feb 2019 I assume. The boats name is Merrywill and appears at
Classifieds
Sorry no shes not for sale still.
Thanks again all. Apologies if I ask for lots of advice when I find myself lacking knowledge. Will be doing it all myself except when I cant acquire the needed skills or have the finesse to produce a reasonable end result.
 
Good pictures, she looks really nice (y) .
A couple of things, I reckon that the coachroof has been added to at some stage, as that appears to give 'much' more headroom than standard, plus the mast appears supported with a vertical in the cabin, which isn't a standard fitting on Folkboat.
What's the 'white gimballed thing' below the table? It's got the look of a compass, but in a curious location! The interior has the look of having evolved for 'A' person, whose boat it was, doing a lot of singlehanding, with the VHF right by the bunk!
In my experience, you're absolutely right in ensuring that the automatic bilge pump does come on, and does have ample power to run for as long as it needs, as she will leak, which is normal. Well, I've convinced myself that it's normal anyway!
The remainder of the 'jobs' will present themselves in an illogical order for the rest of the time that she's in your possession, and you'll deal with them as such. Your comment about "finesse" is spot-on, and says a lot.
When are you planning to launch; in 3-4 months or so?
 
Yeah not sure what the story was there. The people I brought her from had issues with the volvo but I dont know full story. Dont want to upset anyone by commenting. Apart from being moved from mooring to a berth I think she just sat for most of their ownership. (9 months). They meanwhile managed to acquire the Buhk - 2nd hand marine engines seem pretty scarce over here. They replaced various serviceable bits on the engine but never put it in the boat. Covid 19 provided a far greater online auction audience and hence she was put up for sale when she was.
 
Yes it is a compass. Good to be able to stand upright in one place at least.and sit upright in between the ceiling slats. Luck I'm not 6 ft 1. Shes still on a berth so will put her on the hard for as short a time as possible to avoid things opening up. The suggestion is that waterblast, sanding and repaint /antifouling should be all she needs this year but we will see when shes out. Then back to the berth or perhaps a mooring. Very restricted as to what maintenance you can do on a marina berth. Might have to cultivate a friendship with someone with a jetty but will need to sort the 2ndary propulsion issue before venturing too far.
 
Engine was removed by previous owner after apparently failing and I assume disposed of. They eventually sourced the Buhk but didn't get round to installing.
 
Antarctic PIlot's bang on with that one. I've just swapped engines and had great fun 'adjusting' from one to the other.
It seems to me that you've got a long term view for the boat, which is good for both parties.
I fitted my outboard bracket from scratch in an afternoon, and had made it from a couple of pieces of mahogany that I'd got lying around, secured with threaded bar cut to appropriate length.
Are you good at 'fabrication' stuff? I'd never fitted a new engine before, but found it quite possible due to the huge amount of info online, which is exactly what you're doing here!
 
Day spent cleaning out oily sludge in bilge awkward but fortunately only small area affected.
No way will the Buhk DV10 fit without extending too far into the cabin and obstructing entry/access. One of reasons they decided to move her on _ got an inappropriate engine? The volvo must have been 1/3 of the size to fit into the engine bay
Will have to keep my eyes out for a more suitable candidate. Discovered some areas of concern which will make for a much long stay on the hard when I have her lifted out. Will start another post for some advice on what I found.
Cheers Geoff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top