Outboard engine, in the mud

[DoubleEnder]

Mulling over some options for a small motor boat. Would it be totally stupid to consider an outboard, if it were to have its business end buried in soft mud on every tide? I really only have drying moorings here, and one boat I’m sort of thinking about would have a 10hp in a well, which means I’d be unable to tilt it up.
I know. I should look for a small diesel shouldn’t I?

 

[ontheplane]

If we are talking about a medium sized boat say 15ft - 25ft, do what my dad did and move the outboard back onto a purpose made bracket - he made up one from metal and wood which stuck out a bit from the back allowing tilt, but many "off the shelf" outboard brackets will take up to a 15hp. Then you could lift the bracket, which means the tilt would not need to be significant.

You don't want to bury a prop and sterngear in the mud if you can help it.

 

[CLB]

It will be absolutely fine. as long as the mud is genuinely soft and deep. We do it all the time here on the east coast. At my drying mooring we have fin keeled sailboats and shaft drive motorboats, as well as outboard and sterndrive boats whose engines/legs don't lift. No one has any problems at all.

 

[Mr Googler]

You can get some with power trim/tilt in that power range

Tohatsu - 9.8HP Power Trim & Tilt, Electric Start 4-Stroke Outboard Motor in Cambridgeshire, Eastern | Boats and Outboards

 

[CLB]

You can get some with power trim/tilt in that power range

Tohatsu - 9.8HP Power Trim & Tilt, Electric Start 4-Stroke Outboard Motor in Cambridgeshire, Eastern | Boats and Outboards

I think the well will stop the engine lifting, if I am reading it right.

 

[ontheplane]

That was my understanding too.

 

[Mr Googler]

Apologies.....I read it the op couldn’t lean over the back to lift it manually ?

 

[DoubleEnder]

I would prefer not to put the motor on a bracket. It would leave me with an empty useless well, and I would have no prop wash over the rudder. I keep a long keel sailing boat in the mud quite happily, just take care to close the cooling water intake so it doesn't get too plugged up. But I am unfamiliar with outboards. I know that being buried in the mud is sub optimal, but wasn't sure if it would be terminal.

The motor could not be tilted because of space constraints, not weight

Thanks everyone, useful stuff