Bombard Aerotec 380 Engine

[essjay2730]

All

Newbie question - just purchased a new Aerotec 380 for inland/ offshore cruising, some diving, up to 3 people plus dive gear, cool box etc.

Shop said for convenience of transport a 9.9hp would be easier to lift from the car with a more powerful engine being too heavy - wouldn't be looking to move it far but 35kg versus 50kg and wondered how much of a sacrifice I'd ben making in terms of speed and power....not when just me, but when the SIB is full of gear, out in a choppy sea with head wind.

I have 2 friends who think it would underpowered and not plane when full but all thoughts are welcome - I can still upgrade the order from the 9.9 to a 20hp.

[Landlockedpirate]

Welcome to the ever growing Ribnet/Aetotech club.

Your mates are right, it will struggle to plane with a 9.9 fully loaded. Go for the 20, you wont regret it (apart from when carrying it around ).

Even better, cancel the order for the 4 stroke and buy the nicest 25hp 2 stroke you can find, thats the perfect match for the Aerotech.

[John Kennett]

A 9.9 won't get you on plane with 3 adults plus kit. In fact you probably won't plane with 3 adults and no kit.

A 20hp 4-stroke is going to be heavy and awkward to carry. You'll obviously get better performance, but you're unlikely to want to go far in any chop at speed.

The preferred option for most people is a 2-stroke which are lighter but only available second hand now. A 15hp is a good compromise, but still underpowered if you're loading the boat up. A 25hp 2-stroke is manageable, especially if there are two of you to carry it, but it's harder work.

I've had 9.8, 15 and 25 hp motors on my Aerotecs, all 2-stroke. The only one I've kept is a 15, but I don't run the sort of loads you're anticipating.

[Max...]

Forget the 9.9 and four stroke in general. As above the 15 2 smoke is a great option (I use this on a lighty loaded Bombard ) but with three guys and gear you will definitely need the full monty 25 on there.

Edit: the scarce Tohatsu 18 *might* be a possibility...

[Nick Hearne]

Agreed with above I would put a 25hp 2st on it for your needs

Yamaha 25hp ss manual start Outboard Engine | eBay

mariner 25hp outboard | eBay

Tohatsu Outboard motor 25Hp 2 stroke engine speed boat short / standard shaft | eBay

The marathon is a rebranded Tohatsu both can be tweeked up to 30hp bit ruff compared to the Yam! Recon the Tohatsu is way over priced

[Locozodiac]

Or buy a Tohatsu 25 HP and convert to 30 for candy cost. Both weight same, being the 25 same undertuned model to the 30. 15 is extremely poor for the weight you intend to transport.

Happy Boating

[Downhilldai]

Has anyone run one with a Soozook DT25?

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Has anyone run one with a Soozook DT25?

Tried a few on Zodiac Futura's. Loved the older 2 cylinder ones(but not as smooth as the Yam), but the 3 cylinder version was just toooooo heavy IMHO.

[MeMe]

I have a Yam 380 with a 15hp Yamaha 4stroke on the tail, it planes with me (14st) wife and 4 teens aboard. It easily pulls a wakeboarder (beginner) and cruises all day on less tan half a tank of fuel.15hp is manageable alone, a 25hp will without question take two of you. IMHO of course.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Tried a few on Zodiac Futura's. Loved the older 2 cylinder ones(but not as smooth as the Yam), but the 3 cylinder version was just toooooo heavy IMHO.

It's the 3 cyl version I'm interested in.

[essjay2730]

Went for the 20hp Mercury 4 stroke. Cost more but I don't think I'll regret it. Thanks for the advice.

[John Kennett]

Nice. Let us know how you get on!

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

It's the 3 cyl version I'm interested in.

Its was a smooth engine, but stupidly heavy (70kg ?) and it also sat very high on the transom making the boat feel unstable when flat out (something I had never experienced with the Futura even with 40hp on the back).

[essjay2730]

Well we've taken the boat out for the last 5 days in Cornwall and I have to say I'm suitably impressed. Boat and engine performing very well with no major problems other than scuffing the prop due to launching in an estuary at low water. I do notice, like others have, that there is a small amount of spray back into the boat at three quarters to full throttle and will play around with a small block of wood between the top of the transom and the motor. Anyone else with a similar set up with thoughts on this?

[Max...]

Pretty much accepted and standard practice on the Aerotec, a raiser block about 1" will do it.

[essjay2730]

Cheers Max. Looking at the set up an inch doesn't seem enough but will try it and see what difference it makes. The cavitation plate is about 4 to 5 inches under the water line at rest.

[Max...]

Problem you will have raising it more than 1" is that the OB clamps* will end up too high on the inner transom plate. If you want to go higher major mods are needed.

Due to the unique transom shape and deep V keel at the rear of the Aerotec engine height set up is tricky, still aim to get the CAV plate approx level with base of keel though.

*Depending on exact OB model of course.

[essjay2730]

Makes sense and yes you are right the clamps will be out of range of the plate. Will give it a go and report back.

[Nick Hearne]

This is what I did http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/squiddy...ngs-42541.html
Scroll down to post 7

[Max...]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

This is what I did http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/squiddy...ngs-42541.html
Scroll down to post 7

I did not move the plates just got a 1" block painted black and Sikaflexed on. It could maybe benefit from another 10mm or so but I think the 25 engines need a higher raise than the Mercury/Mariner 15.