suzuki 5hp should i have it ported(race tuned)

PeterR · 05 January 2008, 17:57

I have a suzuki 5hp four years old in mint condition only been run for 20 minutes.bought it for my old rib but wouldnt fit next to the 150hp so its been in the garage.I want a auxilary for my Pacific 22 6.5 metre and weight of 1.5 tons.If its posible to by having it race tuned give me enough hp to push the rib along if needed.It would also be light and has its own fuel tank on it with an external plug for a fuel line.I have always though you should have the right thing for the right job but this may be an exception.Any ideas would be good

codprawn · 05 January 2008, 21:47

Race tuning an engine usually means giving you more top end power which is the last thing you want.

You need loads of low down thrust so a bigger prop with more blades would be far more useful.

PeterR · 06 January 2008, 10:14

It has always been done in the past to mopeds and motorbikes and yes Codprawn i agree on the bike you would have to change spockets as well to fine tune so changing the prop would be sensible.Has anyone in the past uprated a small four stroke with any worthwhile inprovement.I must admit i dont know what props will fit this engine as i have never tinkered around with one and as soon as you speak to any shop they shake their heads and because its connected to boating every price is already been doubled.So i think first of all I,ll go to a place in Fingeringhoe theirs a chap their his father owns an engineering shop and his son races for Yamaha or Honda.His surname is Seaton he also does race tuning and ask how much it will cost and if hes prepared to do it.I may find I,ve lost touch with prices and may as well buy the proper engine for the job.but it will be heaveir and more cumbersom i think and more boaring

Nos4r2 · 06 January 2008, 10:24

Don't bother. If it's a 5hp 4 stroke it's going to cost a fortune for very little gain. Sell it and buy the right engine for the job.

PeterR · 06 January 2008, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Don't bother. If it's a 5hp 4 stroke it's going to cost a fortune for very little gain. Sell it and buy the right engine for the job.

Nos4r2 I was hoping you,d coment as i guest you may know.Thanks

Cookee · 07 January 2008, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Don't bother. If it's a 5hp 4 stroke it's going to cost a fortune for very little gain. Sell it and buy the right engine for the job.

What he said!

Pete7 · 08 January 2008, 09:02

Pete, we tried a long shaft Seagull Century on Old Spice (5hp) and the best we saw was 3.2 knots in flat calm water. Whilst the engine was easy to handle at 19 kgs and might get you out of the way of a ferry it wouldn't take you very far very quickly. Sizing a standard shaft 10 hp Merc it looked like the prop wouldn't be in clear water but hidden by the transom so not terribly efficient and likely to ventilate if you drove into the waves. Therefore suggest 10 - 15 hp and a long shaft. Suggest an advert on Ribnet to sell yours and stick a wanted advert up to. Little aux engines do regularly change hands on Ribnet.

Pete

PeterR · 08 January 2008, 18:46

Hi Pete,You mentioned seagull whats a seagull 40

Pete7 · 08 January 2008, 20:02

No it was a Century plus with the big 5 bladed prop, seemed to manage full revs, perhaps some extra pitch might have helped.

Pete

PeterR · 08 January 2008, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterR

Hi Pete,You mentioned seagull whats a seagull 40

Sorry Pete,I,ve seen one of these and didnt know what hp it is or how much its worth can you give me an idea

Pete7 · 08 January 2008, 20:56

Not sure on the value of a 40, would be worth tracking a couple on e bay, they do sell well on there. Watched Century Pluses go for £180 in mint condition or restored on E Bay. Some good websites for old Seagulls too, which would be worth a read.

edit, just looked on http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/items_for_sale.htm

Prices are scary

but not sure a forty is going to move a P22 which is why I went for the Century Plus.

Pete

Locozodiac · 08 January 2008, 21:34

Don't know Suzuki props sizes, we are using Tohatsu 05 HP 2 stroke to move J-24 Sailboats that weights 2 tons including crew. Wont plane, but can take you to shore in a wind failure, emergency, trouble. Have changed the standard 7 (light/heavy) prop that comes factory standard for a number 6 used for heavier boats. See if Suz has a heavier use prop if not planning to change engine.

Happy Boating

Nos4r2 · 09 January 2008, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterR

Sorry Pete,I,ve seen one of these and didnt know what hp it is or how much its worth can you give me an idea

A Seagull 40+ has a fair bit less power than a Century. If you hit 2 knots you'll be lucky.

5hp may well move a J-24 but that's a nice slippery displacement hull. It won't do too well moving a planing hull at displacement speeds.

PeterR · 09 January 2008, 07:56

Thanks guys ,i didnt want the seagull as a aux for the rib just wanted to know what it was in hp and what it was worth

Pete7 · 09 January 2008, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterR

Thanks guys ,i didnt want the seagull as a aux for the rib just wanted to know what it was in hp and what it was worth

Small fortune by the look of that web site, give it a squirt of WD40, rap it up in a blanket and put it away nice a safe. Something to spend your retirement working on in ya shed and keep you out of the Mrs way

This one is mine

Pete

Nos4r2 · 09 January 2008, 12:17

They usually ebay for between £55 and £100 depending on condition.