The big Bic challenge...how much power is too much?

Greenheart

Greenheart

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Vid, of this parish, whose 2009 thread on tenders was lately revived, said he's using an old Bic 245.

I remember seeing them at Seaview in the 'eighties, and initially I thought how objectionably artificial they were, especially next to the beautiful Seaview clinker dinghies.

My view has matured with experience, so now I rather like the tough little Bic boats - solid and lightweight and practical, and not really tear-worthy if damaged.

I found the Bic sales-page: http://www.bicboats.co.uk/Dinghies/Bic-245-Blue-/-White-Dinghy/30?gclid=CKnkm7CevLkCFRMPtAodgU0A9Q

...and it quotes 3hp as the biggest outboard one can responsibly use...

...but wouldn't it be a hilarious global challenge, worthy of Youtube, for Bic owners & bored, boozey, boaty types generally, to see how big an outboard the Bic can carry?
 
I'm not quite a fan of the Bic, although they are remarkably stable, but a small chop can make them very wet. I have been in one with a 4hp motor and it planes very nicely two-up. Don't know what the top speed would have been as we were simply keeping her between waves to keep dry. I'd imagine the limiting factor would be buoyancy to hold the motor - unless you had a launch ramp, now that would be exilarating!

Rob.
 
I have a Bic 245 with a 3.5hp. I think I could probably get it on the plane with just me on board, but I'd need a tiller extension so I could get my weight further forward.

As said above, the boat has very low freeboard so you spend most of your time slowing down to try and stay dry. It's also strictly a two person boat, unless the third person is a small child. I reckon if you were very careful you could get a single cylinder 6hp on there for a quick blast in flat water. You would need to put some weight in the bow though or the engine would be straight under water!
 
Had a seagull featherweight on mine, and it was so low in the water, had to start it whilst trying to put my weight at the front of the boat, otherwise it couldn't cope with the back pressure on the exhaust. Once started it gurgled away like some one drowning with mouth wash...

I would imagine more than 3 or 4 hp would flip it over! To avoid that you would have to sit in the bow and try and control the thing from there!
 
Um. I have fond memories of a Bic (Sportyak as was) boat in the 1970s. It was my Mum's favourite dinghy; it was small enough for her to manage easily, and she could drift around the river looking at the wildlife. For some reason, my mind rebels at the idea of ANY power on such a craft!
 
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