Shetland -most suitable model

Mine sits on its trailer in the club yard in Olhao, is launched when required and motors in the Ria Formosa, occasionally outside Culatra, ashore for lunch or dinner, sleeps two (cheap holiday accomodation).
 
Wow, a lot of replies since I last looked. Yes I have been researching engines and I came to the conclusion that as I’d probably use it on rivers as well as coast a decent sized 4 stroke would be more suitable. What would be a decent size for say the 570 ? 90hp ?
 
Something along the lines of this combo looks like it would be ideal, over budget and I’m just at the ‘thinking about a boat’ stage but would I be right in this being a good match for my requirements, river pottering and coast powering.

London
 
It’s more expensive because of the 4 stroke which is an asset in itself as people seem to fall over themselves for them, so you wouldn’t lose much money on it. Has a very small cabin compared to a 570 if that’s important. Maybe ask the family? You’d need to factor in a trailer and where you’d sea trial it, certainly won’t be making any hops to the mainland for a few days after last night’s storm!
 
90hp on the larger boats (570 etc) is a little underpowered for long sea passages (fine for short hops, estuaries etc. Massively over engined for rivers /canals. So on a river, even a 20hp would be more than adequate - on the open sea, I think a 90hp 2 stroke would be fine but a 100hp+ four stroke better as the four stroke will weigh double the 2 stroke, and be heavy at the back as those boats were designed for 2 strokes.

However, a 90 would still get you up on the plane and running nicely....
 
I’ve read 4 strokes are better on rivers as they are happier trawling along steady than 2 strokes.
I guess even with a larger engine suitable for sea I’d still need a small backup motor which I could maybe put to river use ??‍♂
Or would a large 2 stroke for sea be that bad ? Yes it would use more fuel but how long would it take me to be net neutral in fuel cost compared to extra cost of a 4 stroke, lots to think about.
 
Ajpepe72 said:
I’ve read 4 strokes are better on rivers as they are happier trawling along steady than 2 strokes.
I guess even with a larger engine suitable for sea I’d still need a small backup motor which I could maybe put to river use ??‍♂️
Or would a large 2 stroke for sea be that bad ? Yes it would use more fuel but how long would it take me to be net neutral in fuel cost compared to extra cost of a 4 stroke, lots to think about.
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There are another couple of points to consider. A big motor is thirsty even if you get on the plane and throttling back to say 15 knots will save a great deal but if you are going any distance you'll need several tanks (which occupy space) so we built in a large one. Weight on the transom makes a small boat sit up and beg which you have to consider when mounting a small motor for pottering.
Don't be put off, I've always been a raggy but still have fun with the 535.
 
Ajpepe72 said:
Wow, a lot of replies since I last looked. Yes I have been researching engines and I came to the conclusion that as I’d probably use it on rivers as well as coast a decent sized 4 stroke would be more suitable. What would be a decent size for say the 570 ? 90hp ?
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As posted already we had a 130 Yamaha 2 stroke. And as I can remember we reinforced the stern. Have you thought about trim tabs? Would recommend them...Please post a picture of the boat you decide for...
 
gordmac said:
Older boats would have been designed for lighter two stroke engines.
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This is very true but the latest crop of 4 strokes, bar Hondas, are now within a nat’s whisker weight wise of the 2 smokes if you look. I presume it’s the extensive use of aluminium. Not really relevant as it’s not within budget. 2 smokes are inherently simpler and easier to fix for budget boaters which offsets the drinking issue somewhat and they do have a much flatter torque curve.
 
Ajpepe72 said:
I’ve read 4 strokes are better on rivers as they are happier trawling along steady than 2 strokes.
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Yep completely true - in fact a large 2 stroke is totally unsuited to rivers. My parents had a 20 foot Buckingham on the canal. In the 80's the 6hp packed up and Dad replaced with an 8HP Yamaha - even at 100:1 mix it oiled up every few months of use we ended up re-propping it to enable it to rev higher....

Ajpepe72 said:
I guess even with a larger engine suitable for sea I’d still need a small backup motor which I could maybe put to river use ??‍♂️
Or would a large 2 stroke for sea be that bad ? Yes it would use more fuel but how long would it take me to be net neutral in fuel cost compared to extra cost of a 4 stroke, lots to think about.
Click to expand...

Large 2 stroke for Sea is fine. You are unlikely / never going to get the extra cost of the 4 stroke back in fuel terms alone - however if being able to cruise and plane out at sea is the priority, but river use will be a decent part of it too then the 4 stroke is the better choice....
 
Just seen this - might suit you even better?? If not this one - something similar.

Engine is a 4 stroke - but plenty of power for the sea..... Better cockpit for days out (although this one isn't standard) , cabin much smaller however so unlikely to be suited to overnighting for 4
 
A fair bit more if kept ashore - not too much on the trailer....

The engine is the same as a car really - but the leg is harder - diy if you are good but not if you aren't...
 
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