What HP Outboard?

[FiftySix]

Hi all.

My first post here, please be nice.

I have a Broom Saturn speedboat weighing about 250kg, and I'm I am wondering what HP outboard I will need for canal cruising. I am looking at about 5hp for slow canal cruising, easy transporting and cheap running costs. Remarks?

Thanks guys

 

[VicS]

Hi and welcome.
5 hp?
Id think so for slow speed use on canals .

4 hp even esp if you want something lightweight

What will it take once away from the constraints of the canals? 25hp or more ?

 

[Fire99]

What will it take once away from the constraints of the canals? 25hp or more ?

It's just under 14ft isn't it? I'd wager a 40hp for planing work.

For the canal? I'd also put my 50p on about 4hp. Not too awful to lug around. Personally my only consideration would be that whatever O/B I buy, isn't a down-tuned higher hp model, so i' m not paying for 8hp weight with 5hp power. (purely as an example)

 

[FiftySix]

Yep its a 14ft boat. I am looking at canals for a couple of reasons, one because the nearest sea is 2 hours drive away (I live near Derby), and secondly, because the trailer my boat came on (I only just bought it) is frankly appalling.

 

[Jamesuk]

2 stroke 8HP

When I was in BHG Marine in Lymington a few weeks ago they had one for about £600 with Warranty Bargain!
2 Stroke enignes to many are referred to as the 'Gold dust' of outboards because finding them is harder as the years pass.

We have one and I do not tell a lie - it starts first time, every time (well sometimes if I dont pull fast enough it requires me to pull a second time.)
http://www.bhg-marine.co.uk/

 

[Reptile Smile]

2 Stroke enignes to many are referred to as the 'Gold dust' of outboards because finding them is harder as the years pass.

It's perhaps a little disingenuous not to put the other side of the story as well... 2 strokes are simpler and often cheaper, often lighter. They're more tolerant to being stored in funny positions.

They're also usually noisier and less environmentally friendly (though you can get biodegradable 2 stroke oil).

I have a Seagull just for badness - that is, I'm a fan (though I recognise the downsides) and even I wouldn't call them gold dust and have never heard them referred to as such.

4 strokes are heavier, often more expensive, usually quieter to run, usually heavier, almost always picky about which way you lay them down when you store them. They're simpler with fuel, and cleaner to run. They're also (unlike 2 strokes) legal to make if you decide you'd like to build and sell some.

You pays your money etc etc. Good luck

(PS - you can easily pick up a Seagull for well under a ton and it'll push your boat on canals all day. You will look as though you've just arrived from the set of Mad Max, but that goes with the territory...)

 

[Lakesailor]

At canal boat speeds a two stroke may be a bit prone to choking-up.
Four strokes will run all day at tickover.
I have a 5hp Tohatsu four stroke on a 15ft day boat and it is no trouble at all. Any extra weight penalty (it's only about 4kg) will be irrelevant if you leave it on the boat.

​

 

[Reptile Smile]

Is there anything on a boat you don't make look easy, Lakey? Cardhouses? Tiddlywinks, perhaps..?

 

[Lakesailor]

Paying for stuff. That's not easy.

 

[Hobnob]

Hi all.

My first post here, please be nice.

I have a Broom Saturn speedboat weighing about 250kg, and I'm I am wondering what HP outboard I will need for canal cruising. I am looking at about 5hp for slow canal cruising, easy transporting and cheap running costs. Remarks?

Thanks guys

For quietness, choose a two-cylinder, two-stroke Tohatsu 6/8 or Yamaha 6/8. Both are available with high-thrust props designed for your application. The Yamaha weights 27kg.

 

[Lakesailor]

Purely a matter of personal opinion but I find the whine of a two stroke twin annoying with four times as many firing strokes as a four stroke single at the same revs.

I much prefer the tug tug tug of my Tohatsu 4 stroke, plus of course the better economy and simple re-fuelling with no pre-mixing to do.