New to boats. Help

[Bone42]

Hi. I'm looking at buying a small 15-17ft dory boat for the canals and rivers near me and occasional sea use.ive seen a nice 17ft boat but it comes with a 50hp outboard with it. Will this be ok for the canal or is it going to be too much? What will it be like on fuel chugging along at low speeds on the canal? Thanks in advance,bone.

 

[jccurrie]

Ive recently bought a 20foot Mayland Maestro which also came with a 50hp outboard , its a 2 stroke , i`ve only had it out a few times on lochs, and i have to say i thought it handled the bought very well both at low speeds and also when we managed a bit of planning, no idea how fuel efficient it was tho , early doors for that

and welcome fellow newbie

 

[gordmac]

If it is an old 2 stroke it may need a blast every now and again but if you are going to sea you would need that sort of size. Other option would be a small auxiliary outboard for use inshore.

 

[Uricanejack]

Hi. I'm looking at buying a small 15-17ft dory boat for the canals and rivers near me and occasional sea use.ive seen a nice 17ft boat but it comes with a 50hp outboard with it. Will this be ok for the canal or is it going to be too much? What will it be like on fuel chugging along at low speeds on the canal? Thanks in advance,bone.

Not the right boat and engine for use on the canal system. Where speed is restricted. I use my 50 for trolling. It works but the usual recommendation is to have a smaller 9.9 for slow speed.
So it will work. But you will have engine issues if only idling all the time.
You will want the 50 if you are out on open water, My 17ft deep V would plane at about 25kn give or take a couple with 2 of us.
Mine gets a good run out to my fishing spot and a good run back.
If you like the boat. an Older 50 Hp 2 stroke is not worth a lot. so it should be cheep and a 10hp 4 stroke a good option. particularly a long shaft sail drive for running slow.
It is better to have both 2 stroke or both 4 stroke to avoid separate fuel tanks.
I really liked my 55 yam 2stroke. it was small light and powerful. But I had to get the carbs cleaned a few times.
I now have a Honda 50 4stroke, nice and reliable but a lot bigger and heavier. Very reliable. Its on a slightly smaller 16ft put four adults in it it wont get up on the plane. The 55 Yam would.
My fishing buddies are not small, 4 is to many anyway.

 

[Sneds]

Id get some thing along the lines of a 10hp 4 stroke
Will chug along all day on a tenner's worth of petrol, quiet aswell