Inboard to outboard

[Dave_Knowles]

I have spent a great deal of time in the UAE where it is comnmon to change from inboard to outboard. What they oftem do is to put a scafold tube setup like a bathing platform on the back and add two 150hp engines. Does anyone know of the change from inboard to outboard done here and if so what wouyld be entailed in doing the conversion?

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[ccscott49]

dont know who could do it, but why? Arent outboards thirstier and more trouble than inboards, unless of course you want the engine room for something. Would seem to be a fairly easy thing to do, to make up the stainless frame work though. Would need to be strong, but not a huge engineering problem, with triangulated steel tube. Piping/steering and wiring would not be a big problem either, if a tad expensive.There are some stainless fabricators, who advertise in the yachting press, around your way.

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[DavidJ]

I think you would make the boat unsellable. The majority of people prefer (like cars) unmodified power boats.

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[Dave_Knowles]

The reason they do it in the Middle East is inboards they filnd are less reliable (possibly becuase of the high salt level than outboards. Also I suppose to change an outboard is easier than an inboard. If I had a choice I would now think seriously about an outboard which could be taken off and serviced enven though they use more fuel. Looking at the secondhand market I could buy a 170 hp outboard for about £2,000 far less than a second hand inboard and drive.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[itsonlymoney]

Doesnt sound feasable to me. And I am not convinced its worth the hassle.

Ian



<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[StuDryden]

i was wondering the same - but didnt relise it was a viable option, i have 2xvolvo 270 hp petrols at the minute that eat petrol like it is going out of fashion (i know petrol never was infashion baoty style, but hey) and have often thought of converting to less powerfull outboards, i would be interested to hear if you go ahead ie how easy, downsides, etc... (let you be the ginuea pig!!!)

<hr width=100% size=1>I dont care if its a PETROL it rocks

 

[pistonbroke]

Although it's not that common for people to re-engine an inboard boat with outboards, it's ever such an easy job and very practicle for certain types of boats.

The tubing type structure that you refered to is commonly called a "Gil Bracket", although that is actually a make.

I have done a couple of boats using a bracket that also incorporates a swim platform. ( http://www.stainlessmarine.com/twin.html ) Not cheap but is a nice bit of kit. I would imagine that it's quite popular in camel country because large outboards are so cheap!

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[Dave_Knowles]

Now there is another thought. WHY are the outboards so much cheaper in the Middle East?

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[Dave_Knowles]

Have just looked at stainlessmarine- nice bit of kit. What sort of boats did you fix them to?

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[jhr]

<<WHY are the outboards so much cheaper in the Middle East?>>

Economics, I suspect. Probably no sales tax of any kind (therefore an immediate 17.5% discount over UK prices) and, because petrol is, I imagine, cheaper than bottled water in the Middle East, there's a much greater demand for outboards, which can be run v. cheaply. Higher volumes of sale = economies of scale, therefore profit margin per unit sale can be lower. Much the same as in the US?

Or perhaps they just like having the engine where they can see it!

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[Dave_Knowles]

I just found these articles:
http://www.hermco.net/seamark_bracket.htm

Gil brackets:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.gilmarine.com/products/gbracket/brackets.html>http://www.gilmarine.com/products/gbracket/brackets.html</A>

Sure could be the answer to a blown inboard.





<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[Freebee]

I have a bertram 25 and in the states other owners have gone thru exactly this dillema as the hulls still have plenty of life but the egines get worn out. There are some ready made conversion brackets available. the problems seem to be:

transom need stiffening to cope with additional forces and bracket to stringers within the hull.

Movement of engines to outboard of the transom creates problems with loading of the hull.

Basically the conversion knocks the value of the boat.

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[pistonbroke]

"What sort of boats did you fix them to? "

A sportscruiser and a sportsboat, both had petrol inboards that needed replacing, together with drives and transom assemblies. It worked out cheaper to fit O/B's on brackets. The sportsboat had a pair of mercruiser small blocks, and when replaced with a pair of Optis actually went faster, with slightly better overall fuel economy.

"Basically the conversion knocks the value of the boat."

Please explain how removing a worn out engine and replacing it with a brand new O/B can reduce the value of a boat?

The work needed to strengthen the transom differs with every boat. The addition of "knees" to the stringers or engine bearers is normally required, but would only require a couple of days labour.

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[jhr]

<<Please explain how removing a worn out engine and replacing it with a brand new O/B can reduce the value of a boat?>>

I'm no expert on second hand boat values but I suspect that a radical change to the engine configuration of what is generally considered an early classic powerboat would not help its value much and could, in fact, make it unsaleable. I also think, personally, that outboards on a Bertram 25 would make it look like a dog's breakfast!

Imho.

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[Freebee]

www.bertram25.com - forum and read the debate for yourself first hand. Amongst other things owners are considering is conversion to rotary petrol inboards not many want to do that in the UK!



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[pistonbroke]

Hey, calm down, I thought we were talking about boats in general, I must have misunderstood you. I didn't realise that you were refering to an engine swap on a 25 Bertram which I would have to agree would be a pointless exercise, as well as a waste of a perfectly good O/B. IMHO of course!!!

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