HI, Help needed.

eck · 27 July 2011, 09:57

Have just joined the forum and am looking for some brains to pick.

We have just purchased our first SIB, an excel 330 with air floor. At the moment we are only cruising around inland rivers with a 55lb thrust electric trolling motor with a 80 ah leisure battery which gives us about 5 hours slow cruising.

I will want to upgrade to a more powerful OB before venturing onto the sea for some fishing and was looking for some ideas of what would be good, and more importantly, powerful enough to get back to shore if the weather turns bad.

The transom is 16 inches deep so i should be considering short shaft i beleive.

I cannot trail the boat either so need something light that can be lifted easily on and off every outing.

Would 4 HP be powerful enough and light enough for my needs. I dont want to be breaking any speed records.

Although new to SIbs i have experience of tidal sailing and hold both ICC and RYA day skipper so am aware of the dangers.

Thanks in anticipation for your help.

Eck

Max... · 27 July 2011, 11:04

9.8HP 2 stroke fits the bill perfectly. Lots of recent topics on the SIB/engine forums go into more detail - you might get away with a 6hp but it won't leave much in reserve especially if more than 2 on board.

It will take a short shaft probably max of 10hp (maybe 15 - check with transom plate)

http://www.rib.net/forum/f36/which-o...ice-42991.html

Dino89 · 27 July 2011, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by eck

Have just joined the forum and am looking for some brains to pick.

Eck

come to the wrong place LOL

seriously i would look for a 10hp min but would op for 15hp 2 stroke for the sea its quick enough to get you out of trouble and have a bit of fun with

eck · 27 July 2011, 15:10

Thanks guys,

Transom is rated to 15HP. Interesting reading on the "which outboard to buy" thread.

So i will be looking for a 10 - 15Hp 2 stroke. I will have a look and see what is available second hand.

Thanks for the guidance.

Eck

Max... · 27 July 2011, 17:54

Eck - have a search too as there are lots of topics from the past. For the record a 9.8 Tohatsu weighs about 26kg - a 15 will be more like 36/38 kg which does sometimes make the difference between easy carrying (or not) by one person on a steep/shingly beach. Our 3.4 Zodiac with 1+1 on board makes 17kts (with 2+2 it's about 15 kts) so a 9.8 is probably more than enough and more managable than a 15.

eck · 28 July 2011, 08:48

Max,

Yes this sounds like a manageable weight to be manhandling every trip. As i said trailing is not an option as i already have a big caravan to tow.

I am in no particular hurry as i dont expect to be going to sea until next spring /summer so i have plenty of time to look around and find something suitable.

Thanks for your help.

Eck