Secondary Outboard Engine

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Steven Birnie

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Hello from Scotland. I'm new to this forum as we've just purchased a small 16 foot boat complete with a 40 hp outboard engine. Our local harbour master is kindly allowing us to us the harbour to get to know the boat and practice before we take it out. The question I hsve is, I'm thinking about a secondary outboard for safety as we have two young kids and I'm looking at one which is 1.2 HP. Would this engine suit our needs as a secondary engine?Your help would be very much appreciated...
 
The horsepower you need to move a 16ft boat is quite small so in still conditions 1.2HP would be fine. However in windy conditions and large waves it would not take you into the wind at all. I suggest something a little larger perhaps a 6 HP but even then there may be conditions when it is not powerful enough. Just have a VHF radio and an EPIRB for back up. olewill
 
I had a 5hp up on my 21' boat which was fine for 4 knts in most conditions I'd choose to go out in, though I think 1.2 HP would be a little small. Maybe 3.5 would be a good size. I think a second engine is a good idea rather than relying on lifeboats.
 
Steven Birnie said:
Hello from Scotland. I'm new to this forum as we've just purchased a small 16 foot boat complete with a 40 hp outboard engine. Our local harbour master is kindly allowing us to us the harbour to get to know the boat and practice before we take it out. The question I hsve is, I'm thinking about a secondary outboard for safety as we have two young kids and I'm looking at one which is 1.2 HP. Would this engine suit our needs as a secondary engine?Your help would be very much appreciated...
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I agree with the other comments. 1.2 hp will be too small except in sheltered water and calm conditions.

6hp on the other hand will probably be larger than you need. Around 4hp would be my choice

I have an outboard rated between 1 and 2 hp for my 8ft dinghy. I have a 6hp engine for my 19ft sailing cruiser
 
Quiddle said:
I think a second engine is a good idea rather than relying on lifeboats.
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+ 1

I go out in a small powerboat with an old outboard I don't have great faith in, but that's at weekends in the Solent when the place is crawling with other vessels most of whom would be willing to give us a tow (and we've already towed in a larger boat with a fuel problem, so our karma is good :) ). But I would not take this combination to sea anywhere else, even though we have a VHF on board and could take a PLB.

It was noticeable on our West Country cruise last year how almost all of the small to medium-sized outboard-powered boats in the harbours had a second 3 - 6 hp motor as backup. I imagine the idea would be just as relevant in a small Scottish harbour.

Pete
 
And to answer the question - I would suggest buying something a bit bigger.

a 3.5hp should move the boat ok but will struggle if the sea gets up at all so going to 4-5 would make sense. You should also consider fuel. Most small outboards with an integral tank will run for maybe an hour tops. As you won't be planing that may move you 4-5 miles towards your destination. Will you always take a spare fuel can to top it up though?

If your trips won't be restricted to within a couple of miles of a harbour then you could consider a small outboard with separate tank which will give you a much larger range. Ideally it should have the same connection as the main engine allowing you to simply swap fuel tanks when you need to.

Whatever you buy - it would be a really good idea to ensure that the fuel is compatible. if your existing main engine is a 2t running 50:1 don't go buying a small 4t as a back up as using the 2t fuel in it is not recommended but i'm not sure if it would do much damage. a question for those wiser than I
 
Maybe more sensible on the Mobo forum, though if so moved some message would have been polite to people here keeping trying to offer assistance.

Agree the ' Impulse Power ' Plan B engine needs to be at least 4hp - with a decent, fresh fuel supply giving more than adequate range at lower speed ( and the shelter, warming and / or space blankets this implies ).

Have to say 40hp as Plan A on a novice 16' boat makes my toes curl, just hope the safety kit like kill-chord and buoyancy aids - at least - are in place.
 
General rule is 1HP per metre of hull length. So as people say 3-4HP is in the right range.

1.2 is tiny. What is the engine? I don't think I've seen a 1.2 made in the last 20 years! Age may mean you risk the Aux being as unreliable as the main...

What is the boat?

However saying that, a 1.2 will be better than nothing. BUT you need to think about your escape plan more carefully. So the 40 breaks, home is against wind and tide... ...you are not going home. You are heading with tide and wind or across it to a point of safety...

Worth remembering a Seagul although labelled 3-4HP probably outputs about 1HP. I'd however expect a Seagul to slowly get you home!
 
ShinyShoe said:
1.2 is tiny. What is the engine? I don't think I've seen a 1.2 made in the last 20 years!
[...]
Worth remembering a Seagul although labelled 3-4HP probably outputs about 1HP.
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When I saw the "1.2" a Seagull was exactly what I thought of - no great knowledge of them but I thought there was a model that was given that figure for a while.

Pete
 
prv said:
When I saw the "1.2" a Seagull was exactly what I thought of - no great knowledge of them but I thought there was a model that was given that figure for a while.

Pete
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The Featherweight was rated 1–2 hp
 
ShinyShoe said:
1.2 is tiny. What is the engine? I don't think I've seen a 1.2 made in the last 20 years!
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I wondered that too, so I googled. They look suspiciously like modified strimmers.

1_2PK4TAKTMOTOR.jpg


https://www.athleteshop.co.uk/aquaparx-1-2-pk-outboard-motor?gclid=CPDqj_q8zs0CFcYcGwodO7AHVQ
 
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