What is the max size of engine that can be fitted to an Enterprise dingy

[PhilCole]

How big of an engine can be fitted to an Enterprise dinghy without it being overweight at the rear?
What speeds could be obtained from a 4 hp 4 stroke engine.
Are 2 strokes too thirsty?
Thanks.

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

First 2 strokes have not been available legally for nearly 20 years so you will only be able to get a very old used one. a 2.5 or 3hp will be more than enough to achieve hull speed of between 4 and 5 knots. Maybe if you want to run heavily laden a 4hp might be justified, but as a "get you home" for what is essentially a sailing boat the smallest and lightest motor you can buy will be fine. If budget allows an electric like a Torqeedo or e Propulsion would be best.

 

[Bodach na mara]

When I owned sailing dinghies, many owners occasionally used an outboard. The sizes were usually around 2 to 5 hp, Seagull 40s being common. Strangely no-one I knew used an outboard on an Enterprise, but that particular class was not common in my area. Typical speed was aroun displacement speed; 4 to 6 knots.

Two-strokes too thirsty? I wouldn't think so. They were all that was available at that time.

 

[Binnacle]

Do be very careful please how and where you hang the outboard. The transom is usually pretty skinny plywood and likely to be a bit fragile.

 

[PhilCole]

The Chinese are making two strokes, anyone here used one.
If one can keep upright then the addition of an engine could certainly be a bonus.
Even fishing with the Enterprise could be on the cards. Now they make such mobile finders where the sea bed is relayed to one’s phone.
Alway weather permitting.
Engines tend to be frowned up at the sailing club but I would enjoy a week away exploring the coast with paints and a spotting scope.

 

[PhilCole]

Do be very careful please how and where you hang the outboard. The transom is usually pretty skinny plywood and likely to be a bit fragile.

Would you bolster the strength by the addition of strengtheners attached to the sides?

 

[PhilCole]

With an off set engine would one still have functionality of the rudder?

 

[Bodach na mara]

Do be very careful please how and where you hang the outboard. The transom is usually pretty skinny plywood and likely to be a bit fragile.

That may be why I never saw an Enterprise with an outboard on it.

But not all transoms are flimsy. Mirror dinghies were often seen with outboards. In fact I used ours as a tender, with a Force 3 motor(which I still have) and even used it to tow our 28 ft keelboat about 4 miles to its mooring when the gearbox on the inboat diesel jammed due to a bearing failure.

 

[B27]

One of my Dad's mates used to use a Suzuki 2HP outboard on an Enterprise.
It probably did around 4knots or 5mph on the river.
We also fished for mackeral from the boat.
You want a tiller extension for the outboard to keep the weight central, just as you do when sailing.
It won't go much faster with a 5hp.

Some Ents are GRP.
Some are all plywood. The transom ought to be strong enough but a lot of these boats are pretty old now!
It's 45 years since my Dad's mate had one.

The transom is quite deep on an ent, might need to mount the engine to one side to get the prop in the right depth?

 

[MADRIGAL]

How big of an engine can be fitted to an Enterprise dinghy without it being overweight at the rear?
What speeds could be obtained from a 4 hp 4 stroke engine.
Are 2 strokes too thirsty?
Thanks.

I find that a 2.5hp 4-stroke outboard is powerful enough to drive a Wayfarer, and also the heaviest I would want to have hanging off the stern. I would think the same would be true for an Enterprise. I can't say that I have noticed a change in sailing performance, but I do pay attention to how I stow cruising gear to avoid being trimmed by the stern.

Also, welcome to the forum from a dinghy cruiser

 

[Beelzebub]

In my teens (many decades ago) I beefed-up the transom of my Enterprise and hung a medium-sized Seagull on the back (about 4 h.p. if I remember).

This worked just fine in windless conditions when I was desperate to get out on the boat and potter around. I never mounted the engine when there was any breeze though.

 

[dunedin]

How big of an engine can be fitted to an Enterprise dinghy without it being overweight at the rear?
What speeds could be obtained from a 4 hp 4 stroke engine.
Are 2 strokes too thirsty?
Thanks.

Might help to explain how you intend to use the Enterprise, and the outboard.
It isn't a boat that is designed to be used under motor.
Hence a small lightweight 2 stroke is probably best as an occasional "get me home" assistance. And fuel consumption only an issue if motoring long distances - for which an Enterprise would be the wrong boat.
A heavy outboard on the back would be very unstable when sailing, as would need to be at the side to clear the rudder.
Speed under motor is an odd question. If wanting to motor at speed avoid sailing dinghies.

 

[Boathook]

My parents had an Enterprise and we used a small Seagull on it a few times. Can't remember whether the transom was reinforced though.

 

[Daydream believer]

On my 12 ft dinghy, I strapped a seagull 40+ across the midships thwart, until needed. That eased the weight distribution issue. When needed, I removed the rudder & fitted the outboard. Using an extended steering arm, I steered with that.
If I capsized-Well, I was only in early teens- the dinghy floated high enough, so that only part of the engine got wet. If very lucky, it would be the prop end so no problems

 

[Refueler]

With an off set engine would one still have functionality of the rudder?

UGH !!! Not trying to be rude - but are you serious about this ????

My very first intro to boats was an Enterprise and I cannot imagine such a setup.

If you really are going for an outboard on the back - then I would suggest a 2 - 3hp 2 stroker like the old Tohatsu / Mariner / Johnson direct drive job with no reverse - you swivel engine around 180 ! Its light ... more than enough for the job ... not bad on fuel ... and please mount it instead of the rudder ...
The weight in fact is a lot less than a second person in the dinghy - so you could carry the rudder .. have mast sails etc all ready to use ... O'bd is compact enough - you could lay in bottom boat and sail

I would LOVE to have an Enterprise where I am ...

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I cruise a Wayfarer from time to time and have an interest in cruising dinghies. Offset outboard mounting is quite common. An enterprise dinghy would easily allow a Tohatsu 2 stroke, or similar to be clamped in place without any modifications, likely over the pineal and gudgeons for centre mounting, but they might foul the tilting bar. Easy to try and if it doesn't work on the Enterprise centre line, just move to an offset position.

 

[Sandy]

How big of an engine can be fitted to an Enterprise dinghy without it being overweight at the rear?
What speeds could be obtained from a 4 hp 4 stroke engine.
Are 2 strokes too thirsty?
Thanks.

In simple terms you can fit anything you want on the back of the dinghy. BUT you need to make sure that the engine can be mounted without ripping off the transom and does not affect the vessels stability.

Please bear in mind that the Enterprise was designed as a sailing dinghy not a motor boat and that it is normal for sailing dinghies to be towed.



This sort of thing needs to be avoided.

 

[Geoff Wode]

2t 2.5/3.3/3.5 Tohatsu, Mariner, Mercury, Nissan.

If this is for day sailing/dinghy cruising and you’re keen on the idea, an ent is ok but probably not ideal for the job.

 

[Refueler]

I have a 3hp Johnson that I had as motor to throw on back of my Saaremaa 1/4 tonner for those days sailing onto / off pontoon mooring was iffy ... you'd be surprised how well it pushed that boat along ...

Most in the heyday of the Enterprise would have had a Featherweight Seagull on it if any motor ... what was that ? about 1.5hp ??

 

[dunedin]

I cruise a Wayfarer from time to time and have an interest in cruising dinghies. Offset outboard mounting is quite common. An enterprise dinghy would easily allow a Tohatsu 2 stroke, or similar to be clamped in place without any modifications, likely over the pineal and gudgeons for centre mounting, but they might foul the tilting bar. Easy to try and if it doesn't work on the Enterprise centre line, just move to an offset position.

Have you looked at the stern of an Enterprise. Apart from the issue of not being able to attach the rudder, if try to mount in the centre the outboard clams would fall into the gap where the tiller goes through, below the mainsheet traveller.
so would need to be offset to the side.
As most have said, as small and light a 2 stroke as possible (or electric if budget permits)