New Mobo Sailer

[Wildbird]

Greetings

I recently decided to take the plunge and try my hand at boating having had an intrest for many years. I am about to buy a Microplus 502 with an Evinrude Johnson 60 engine, the engine is new and has about 20 hours on it, it has however not been used for a while is this a problem? This boat seems like an ideal starter boat for rivers, canals and when I get better coastal sailing.

I am planning to take the RYA Day Skipper before I move it an inch and the Coastal Skipper course before I go anywhere near the sea. Initially I will look to the rivers/Canals in the oxfordshire area.

I do have a couple of instant questions that as novice I would really like some help with. I am going to view the boat next week, should I expect to see a boat version of an MoT with either the boat or the engine. I have assumed the engine is a 60 HP as it's called an Evinrude Johnson 60 but what I have read said this boat can only use a 50 HP engine, again will this cause problems.

I posted to the PBO forum initially and several people said that for rivers and alike I should get a 4 hp outboard as this will prevent wear on the main engine and besides it would not like going along at 4 Knots (Knots = MPH ??) Would they be interchangable or would I put 1 next to the other?

I have been trying to find the Manf web site so I to try and get additional info on this boat but I can not find either a web site or the name of the Manf, if you know please can you post it

I would also welcome any advice you may have. Books to read, things to buy, useful shops/websites and any safety tips you may have. Sat here writing this I have about 10,000 questions.

Many thanks

Paul
Oxford, UK



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[Bejasus]

Hi Wildbird and welcome to the madhouse. Microplus 502, how many have started with one of these. Unfortunately more likely to be covered in a Boatmart mag than an IPC issue,IMHO, but an ideal river/lake/estuary small boat and generally wellbuilt. The problem is that most rivers etc have speed limits, i.e. Thames-5 kts?? and Broads 6 mph. and your 60hp will be barely ticking over in favourable conditions. In these cases, a 4 hp, will probably drive your boat quite comfortably, and be cheaper to run. Yes, you can mount it alongside, just raise one and lower the other. The 60 HP will be more than adequate in estuary conditions. As long as you realise, that you will quickly find the limitations of such a small craft, but plenty have had these for years and get loads of pleasure out of them. It all depends what you expect out of it. Try clicking on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatmart.co.uk/>here</A> for more help. All IMHO and still a bit pissed./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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[Andrew_Fanner]

The 60 will give you far too much clout on the river where you are limited to 5mph. A 4HP outboard will be OK most of the time but is not going to do things like proved a charge to any on board battery powered gear you have, so weekending will be OK but not much longer. If you want to charge batteries etc then a 9.9 or 15HP outboard is more the mark. The 60 will be fun belting about in sheltered waters with no speed limit.

You will need to jump through to hoops of the Boat Safety Scheme inland.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Col]

You asked about an MOT. On inland waters you may well need a Boat Safety certificate (BSS) You certainly do on the Thames, and this is not unlike an MOT. On the sea, you don't need one.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Wildbird]

Hi

Thanks for responding, this Boat Safety Cert, do you just show up at a test station or do they come to you and do some kind of on-site inspection.

Lastly There seems to be a few rivers and canals in the oxford area, once I have the BSS and the day skipper cert can you use them or do you need to book time. I am also guessing there is some kind of fee to use the rivers/canals and locks ??

Lastly silly question: I have seen a few pubs next to rivers with moorings outside, I am guessing that you are allowed to use these??

Thanks
Paul

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[boatone]

Right...boat safety scheme first... u can find out all about this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees

 

[Forbsie]

Oi!!!

I've cut down my drinking in pubs now that my fridge is full and the rest of the bar is getting there. Got to concentrate on the less important stuff now like getting my gauges and nav lights working, getting me BSS and licence so I can go up river where the beer is cheaper. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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[oldgit]

Power

The peeps who design the engine output and the marketing airheads who design the stickers on the cowlings are not normally on speaking terms so your 60HP engine is almost certainly only 47.5 hp or even less a quick look in the manual normally reveals the hidden Ahem......fibbing./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Welcome aboard Paul. Your attitude and caution in your approach to the whole hobby of boating is to be applauded. So many people take to the water without a care in the world for safety or worthiness of the craft. I'll try and deal with your questions in the order that they come.

Good that the engine has only has 20 hours on it, but do have it serviced. You must have the water pump impellor and kit replaced as the vains of the impellor will have "set" in the position they have been left in. Have the carburretor and fuel tank cleaned out and replace the fuel line and priming bulb

I wouldn't worry too much about the HP of the engine, over rating by 10 will do no harm. However the suggestion that you get a small auxilliary motor should be taken up for two reasons 1) you can use it for rivers withou choking up the 60 which would hate pootling along at 4 knots (by the way 1 knot is roughly equal to 1.15 mph) and 2) you should, for reasons of safety always carry a spare engine. Having no viable means of propulsion when two miles off shore is dangerous, and its not much less dangerous on a river! If you have space then mount the small one on an auxilliary bracket for use when required.

These days both Evinrude and Johnson are made by "Bombardier", a Canadian firm. Whether they can help, I don't know. You are more likely to get old manuals etc from a dealer.

I would like to think that web sites don't come much more useful than this one!

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Bejasus]

Incidentally, while always a nice idea, regarding doing a Day Skipper course, it is not cheap and takes a bit of time to do. You would be better off delaying that decision for a while and be far better off doing Powerboat Levels 1 & 2. These will give you a much better grounding in handling your boat and also in launching and recovering a small boat like this. IMHO
There is also a course for Inland Helmsman which can be useful for learning about rivers, lakes & locks etc.

Hope this helps


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