FC470 40hp or 50hp

Blue01 · 07 July 2022, 02:13

G’day All,

I’ve recently acquired a FC470 and being the FNB of inflatables would appreciate some advice.
I’m in Australia where it appears the options for new short shaft tiller outboards is fairly limited in the 40-50hp range. Yamaha do a 40 and Tohatsu do a 50 in a 15” shaft. My transom measures 15.5” at the centre.
I’ll be using the boat in rivers and the ocean, 50lts fuel, 2 POB, large dog and some diving/camping gear +/-360kgs or 800lbs.
There’s are $2k price difference between the 2 motors and would appreciate some input on whether there will be some tangible advantage with the 50 vs 40. I’d like some extra hp in the back pocket of its useable.
Advice on whether the 15” shaft is a close enough fit to the 15.5” transom height would also be welcomed along with any other ideas/thoughts from those with more experience than I might have would be greatly appreciated.
✌🏻👍🏻

SoCal Hurricane · 07 July 2022, 03:45

Unless it’s a really old 470, it should be a 20” long shaft.

As for HP, 50 would be great!

Blue01 · 07 July 2022, 08:23

Hi SoCal, I did a search on the serial number and the report indicates in a ex Aussie airforce boat manufactured in 2014. Unfortunately I can download a photo of the transom

Blue01 · 07 July 2022, 08:29

5th time luck

Matt · 07 July 2022, 08:35

I'd go 50 and get down the gym to do some bicep curls.

Blue01 · 07 July 2022, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I'd go 50 and get down the gym to do some bicep curls.

Haha I’ve signed up 👍🏻💪🏻Cheers

SoCal Hurricane · 07 July 2022, 17:41

That’s a short shaft transom. Haven’t seen those in a while. At least you got a newer boat!

If shaft length is an issue, you can build up the transom and then cover it with an aluminum cap. Scribe out a piece of lumber and use some dowels, long screws and wood glue to hold it in. Then add the cap. It will be very strong and take you up to a long haft. Another benefit of this is less water splashing into the boat.

With a short shaft, I think you’ll need to keep below 40HP. Perhaps also add an anti cavitation plate (whale tale).

The Aussie/British zodiacs are pretty cool. I’ve always liked the color.

Blue01 · 10 July 2022, 00:35

Ok cheers I was reading a few posts about the spray issues. I’ll do some more research thanks.

SoCal Hurricane · 10 July 2022, 23:57

Click image for larger version

Name: fdc21fd1-5fcc-4a31-808c-ae81a24baa01.JPG
Views: 114
Size: 236.1 KB
ID: 141095

SoCal Hurricane · 10 July 2022, 23:58

Here is the same boat (I presume) with the standard transom. It’s the FC470 with the Evinrude 55MFE.

Blue01 · 11 July 2022, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Hurricane

Here is the same boat (I presume) with the standard transom. It’s the FC470 with the Evinrude 55MFE.

Nice rig! 👍🏻

skip3662 · 13 October 2022, 20:52

I just won a bid at Pickles, I assume that’s where you got yours from ?

I also purchased a 55 long shaft merc sea pro from the same auction as the boat.

You got me worried now lol, I wonder if I have a long or short shaft transom.

Was your pumped up for the auction or just in the box ?

skip3662 · 13 October 2022, 21:02

Yeah I just purchased one as well, I pick it up Monday. Not sure if I got a short transom as well.

Funny thing was I purchased a 55hp SeaPro From the same defence auction so I stupidly assumed those motors went on those boats, but why would they sell long shaft motors and short transom boats (who knows)

……let’s see what I unbox on Monday, otherwise I’ll have to do as you say and build up my transom. Not a big deal I assume.

SoCal Hurricane · 13 October 2022, 22:37

I’m in the US, so I get most of my boats here. I’d love to get a few of the green/OD ones though. I’d import them here…

skip3662 · 13 October 2022, 23:05

Yeah there good boats.

Blue01 · 14 October 2022, 12:38

G’day So Cal. They’re pretty well priced and with usd/aid exchange rate it might be a viable proposition. Some risk involved with checking the condition of the boats as the auction house has recently stopped inflating them and post pics….

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Hurricane

I’m in the US, so I get most of my boats here. I’d love to get a few of the green/OD ones though. I’d import them here…

skip3662 · 14 October 2022, 13:02

Yeah I’ll vouch for that, mine I had to take a punt, the floor panels in the auction images looked brand new, the box serial number matched to boat and the boat was in its bag where the other lots we just in crates so fingers crossed I got a newish one.

I called the supplier (Frontline) and they said definitely not pumping them up anymore as there to busy.

Blue01 · 14 October 2022, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip3662

Yeah I’ll vouch for that, mine I had to take a punt, the floor panels in the auction images looked brand new, the box serial number matched to boat and the boat was in its bag where the other lots we just in crates so fingers crossed I got a newish one.

I called the supplier (Frontline) and they said definitely not pumping them up anymore as there to busy.

[emoji1303] sounds like pretty good odds

SoCal Hurricane · 14 October 2022, 19:43

Gents - appreciate the feedback. I brought in about 10 floor sets from Australia last year in one lot. My assumption is that they are using the high pressure air floors and just tossing the hard decks aside.

Thoughts?

skip3662 · 14 October 2022, 21:29

Hey mate, no all boats come with the 4 piece aluminium floor and bow piece. They also sell the floors separate as an individual auction lot (they have more floors then boats). In November they are running another auction starts the 10th.