Seastart equivalent for North Wales / Auxiliary Outboard?

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JayCbee

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Hello new to the boat world and have purchased a small 16 ft Microplus 501 Explorer for enjoying on the River Conwy and close to the shore in Conwy and the surrounding area (menai Straits etc) - We have a single outboard which will be serviced regularly (with some essentials onboard) and always fueled with a spare canister (four stroke) - I am in a spin about an auxiliary outboard. Its a small boat and if literally want to limp home (conwy marina) for less than a mile with no speed required (as emergency) would a small electric outboard suffice (apologies for being an absolute novice hence joining this forum). We just need to be able to move the boat - no time pressure or speed requirement - just to get it home if we have a complete failure on the main petrol outboard. Alternatively I was looking at a breakdown recovery service and saw Sea Start but now see that its only on the south coast. Is there anything like this in North Wales? Would be happy to sign up to that instead of an extra outboard on what is a small boat. Thanks in advance for any replies....again be gentle with a newbie who just wants to be safe.
 
No to the electric motor. No there isn't Seastart or the equivalent though we do have a plenty of really good RNLI stations and Coast watch stations. Your biggest issue is the strong currents and really big tides. So as gently as I can put it you would be a fool not to have at least a small six horse auxiliary as backup if you can fit it. You may have to punch a 4 knt tidal current. If you cant fit an aux for whatever reason make sure you have a good anchor and plenty of chain / rode. At least 60m. And that you have a VHF and know how to use it to call the coastguard if you become unstuck. Preferably not a handheld with limited range. Lots of friendly people in Conwy, tag along with a few till you get to know the waters. They change constantly and whereas it's not particularly dangerous, there are times when you'll wish you were in a bigger boat. Especially wind over tide in Conwy bay, as it can create a nasty little chop
 
one other thing. See this

0auuym8.jpg


Have a depth sounder. Years ago I anchored up in 7m of water a mile out to sea, threw out a fishing line, kicked back and relaxed the afternoon away with a couple tinnies and some walkers while pulling in some thornback rays until my pleasures were rudely interupted by something bumping the bottom of my boat.
Along with knowing the waters and tides, many of the navigable routes close in are rather narrow and the state of the tide is absolute key. Look at it! Just look at it! Just missed the channel by a few meters. Not bad for dead reckoning absolutely terrible for getting back in time for tea
 
What size (HP) is the engine?
Do you 'know' the boat or have just purchased in good faith?
Conwy river and area are idyllic as you probably know
Tricky and strong currents plus large tides to cope with
Which is OK but some understanding of such is pretty vital
Bruce has mentioned items like vhf, anchor etc
There will be more kit needed but that can be addressed later
Its vital that you know your engine and how to operate it and aknowledge of how to go about diagnosing , if she wont start
On calling the coastgaurd
A hand held will be better than nothing or a mobile phone
VHF works on line of sight and Holyhead coastgaurd has 'boosters' and you will be able to communicate OK with them where you are going to 'play'!
Where are you going to launch from ?
Cheers
K
 
Correct, there is no Sea Start equivalent in our area
I did look int it some years ago
There is not the volume of vessels here
Plus to be honest most leisure boaters hereabouts are pretty self sufficient
Even 'newbies' soon realise how tickey the waters can be and those that persevere after the initial shock!!!!
Then get the job sorted and go and enjoy
What a vhf does give you is the ability to 'talk' to another vessel
Even if close by if you dont know the persons number at least you can hail for assistance
Its quite easy when shown
Yes you will need an operators licence etc etc eventually
But no one will ignore a call for help and ask you for 'credentials'!!
 
Kawasaki said:
A hand held will be better than nothing or a mobile phone
Click to expand...

For calling the CG yes. You and crew I can confirm many times over are completely inaudible at 3 mile and barely at 1 mile. When you are in trouble getting a nearby vessel to standby is also a boon than having to rely on RNLI. My honest opinion of all the Flybridges and ribs that set off trying coms on a handheld are worthy of simply being ignored. Both you and Roy simply broke comms unless I was on top of you.
 
Kawasaki said:
Christ!!! didn't realise boats grew if you added water, you learn something everyday on ere!!!
Click to expand...

Most Marina folk never get to see the bay at LW because of their gate times and so are completely ignorant that yes, boats do shrink with the tide :p You wouldn't credit the two boats are probably no more than 50 meters apart but just at different tide states
 
Oh by the way
We started with a 16ft , similar to yours
It came with an oldish outboard
I put a new Suzuki 65 hp on
Bearing in mind I was a mechanic too
I had a 3 hp auxilliary
Used it for a dinghy
Tried it out on the 'dory' a few times
Such a faff and TBH unless there is no current not that much use
By the time you have realised the main motor is duff and started the second engine
In the Menai Strait you've probably been swept 300 yards away!!
The main engine is your priority over all the other things we will mention
 
Agreed but this aux still allowed us to potter back on our own steam against the current albeit to Beaumaris rather than Conwy. Saved us the ignominy of having to call on help and we were still able to troll for bass on the way back. Ahh. The good old days of being new and ignorant.




EDIT. Note above I did say 6hp minimum to punch the tide. 6hp because you need the torque to steer and 6 is usually a twin cylinder and if two stroke is then always on a power stroke
 
Last edited:
BruceK said:
one other thing. See this

0auuym8.jpg


Have a depth sounder. Years ago I anchored up in 7m of water a mile out to sea, threw out a fishing line, kicked back and relaxed the afternoon away with a couple tinnies and some walkers while pulling in some thornback rays until my pleasures were rudely interupted by something bumping the bottom of my boat.
Along with knowing the waters and tides, many of the navigable routes close in are rather narrow and the state of the tide is absolute key. Look at it! Just look at it! Just missed the channel by a few meters. Not bad for dead reckoning absolutely terrible for getting back in time for tea
Click to expand...

Captain to Navigator - 'Are those seagulls standing or swimming?' ?
 
BruceK said:
You rogue :ROFLMAO: I just hope you can appreciate that what little I have been able to relay to you has usually come off the back of bitter experience
Click to expand...

Yes, most definitely. It is appreciated as much as its funny. :p

A good boating 'dit' never has a happy ending! (y)
 
JayCbee said:
Hello new to the boat world and have purchased a small 16 ft Microplus 501 Explorer for enjoying on the River Conwy and close to the shore in Conwy and the surrounding area (menai Straits etc) - We have a single outboard which will be serviced regularly (with some essentials onboard) and always fueled with a spare canister (four stroke) - I am in a spin about an auxiliary outboard. Its a small boat and if literally want to limp home (conwy marina) for less than a mile with no speed required (as emergency) would a small electric outboard suffice (apologies for being an absolute novice hence joining this forum). We just need to be able to move the boat - no time pressure or speed requirement - just to get it home if we have a complete failure on the main petrol outboard. Alternatively I was looking at a breakdown recovery service and saw Sea Start but now see that its only on the south coast. Is there anything like this in North Wales? Would be happy to sign up to that instead of an extra outboard on what is a small boat. Thanks in advance for any replies....again be gentle with a newbie who just wants to be safe.
Click to expand...


Just reading the replies guys thank you all I will respond fully when I am not meant to be working!
 
Kawasaki said:
What size (HP) is the engine?
Do you 'know' the boat or have just purchased in good faith?
Conwy river and area are idyllic as you probably know
Tricky and strong currents plus large tides to cope with
Which is OK but some understanding of such is pretty vital
Bruce has mentioned items like vhf, anchor etc
There will be more kit needed but that can be addressed later
Its vital that you know your engine and how to operate it and aknowledge of how to go about diagnosing , if she wont start
On calling the coastgaurd
A hand held will be better than nothing or a mobile phone
VHF works on line of sight and Holyhead coastgaurd has 'boosters' and you will be able to communicate OK with them where you are going to 'play'!
Where are you going to launch from ?
Cheers
K
Click to expand...

Hi answers below in intalics

What size (HP) is the engine?
Its a 50 BHP Honda four stroke
Do you 'know' the boat or have just purchased in good faith?
Its a good faith purchase - I have had an insurance survey and all ok
Conwy river and area are idyllic as you probably know
Tricky and strong currents plus large tides to cope with
Which is OK but some understanding of such is pretty vital
Bruce has mentioned items like vhf, anchor etc
yes we have purchased an anchor with the appropriate rope length and we have purchased a radio - it is hand held / waterproof.
There will be more kit needed but that can be addressed later
Its vital that you know your engine and how to operate it and aknowledge of how to go about diagnosing , if she wont start
I am taking the RYA level 2 before the boat goes on the water and the outboard is getting correctly serviced. I also intend to carry appropriate tools and spare parts - Ill be taking advice. I also will be looking in detail at being able to diagnose issues.
On calling the coastgaurd
A hand held will be better than nothing or a mobile phone
See response above regarding handheld radio
VHF works on line of sight and Holyhead coastgaurd has 'boosters' and you will be able to communicate OK with them where you are going to 'play'!
Where are you going to launch from ?
Conwy Marina - We intend to initially keep to the River Conwy this year. literally just spend an hour carefully on the mouth to the river. Keeping the marina close and Deganwy Marina close also.

I am still unsure about the auxiliary outboard whilst we are staying so close to the marina. Ill be looking at this in more detail before we go too far.
 
The estuary is for sure where you most want an aux because when the tide gets going it's ferocious, go out to sea you will find it far more pleasant and amenable anyway. And please dont come meandering down to the inner harbour drawing a large wake in ignorance like every other halfwit from the marina on a jolly. I wont be so friendly then :p
 
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