Outboard advice for Zodiac WB 465

Projectile · 25 February 2013, 01:23

Years ago, we felt that 35hp was too slow for our MKIIIGR. Also, it cavitated (ventilated?) almost all the time, even travelling in a straight line. We upgraded to a 55hp and it was a better fit.

My current new WB465 is basically the same boat.

The trouble I'm having is that while I'd like to get 40hp+, those engines weigh a lot, and I'm not trailering this boat. A 30hp ETEC Evinrude is only 146 lbs, but I'm wondering if I'll be disappointed.

Any experience/advice/ideas?

prairie tuber · 25 February 2013, 04:35

What type of vehicle will you hauling the folded boat in? If you will be using a pickup truck, you should consider getting on of those small foldable pick up truck cranes. Between that and launching wheels, it would expand your outboard options considerably.

I am curious to hear from people who have been the 30 hp ETEC. It certainly looks like a good combination that has power/weight ratio you'd expect from a 2 stroke and the fuel efficiency you'd expect of a 4 stroke. Having said that, I think you may find it to be under powered for a 4.65m SIB.

I have a 40hp outboard on my 4.7m cat-hulled SIB and often find myself wising it had more power. The next motor for this SIB will either be a 65 ETEC Commercial or a Yamaha F70.

Locozodiac · 25 February 2013, 22:02

If you go full passengers the sib can carry probably will need a 40 HP engine, is that your case ? If not a 30 HP will transport 4-5 passengers very well. Just a matter of triming engine well, correct pressure inflation and passenger ballance. We use 460 sibs with Tohatsu 30 HP and they perform excellent. Which HP is the max rated for that 4.65 sib ?

Happy Boating

Projectile · 25 February 2013, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

If you go full passengers the sib can carry probably will need a 40 HP engine, is that your case ? If not a 30 HP will transport 4-5 passengers very well. Just a matter of triming engine well, correct pressure inflation and passenger ballance. We use 460 sibs with Tohatsu 30 HP and they perform excellent. Which HP is the max rated for that 4.65 sib ?

Happy Boating

It's usable range is 25-40hp and max is 60 hp. I'm sure a 30 hp we'll get me and my family on plane, but I wonder if I'll be satisfied...

Projectile · 26 February 2013, 01:39

Someone trying to sell me a 50hp (electric) Evinrude today told me not to get a rope start 40hp Evinrude because it would be too hard to pull. "High compression in the new ETEC motors."

What do you think of that?

Peter_C · 26 February 2013, 03:17

I have a two stroke 40hp and changed it over to electric start, since in rough seas with little place to stand without stepping on dive gear, it was a pain to pull.

prairie tuber · 26 February 2013, 06:29

I don't know about the ETEC 40, but I have a Yamaha 40 hp 2 stroke with rope start, and it is pretty effortless to start.

Arctic · 26 February 2013, 09:32

I ran a Zodiac Grand Raid MKII with an 30hp ETEC and it was a good combination. Not as big as your boat though so I would go for the 40hp. No starting issues with the 30hp, always started on the first pull and it was no trouble.

clydeoutboards · 26 February 2013, 13:52

if you go for the 40hp have a look at the below table:

MODEL-SPECIFIC ELEMENTS

MODEL WEIGHT SHAFT LENGTH COLOR GEAR RATIO STARTING METHOD TRIM METHOD STEERING
E40DSL 240 lbs /
109 kgs 20" / 508 mm White 2.67:1 Electric FasTrak™ Power Trim and Tilt
E40DTL 250 lbs /
113 kgs 20" / 508 mm Blue 2.67:1 Electric FasTrak™ Power Trim and Tilt
E40DRL 240 lbs /
109 kgs 20" / 508 mm Blue 2.67:1 Rope Manual Tilt
E40DPL 240 lbs /
109 kgs 20" / 508 mm Blue 2.67:1 Electric FasTrak™ Power Trim and Tilt

A Honda 40Hp is only 96kg, and is a 4 stroke so if weight is the biggest factor then I would also check Yam, Mariner, Suzi and Tohatsu as these might be even lighter than the Honda

Dave

Locozodiac · 26 February 2013, 13:57

More HP you have on a rope start engine, the more effort to start, that's why 30 HP is my top, but very confortable with less HP engines specially when you go boating with ladies. With time, more boating skills and after having tamed you beast, you'll find more HP is not always enough...

If sib will be living on a trailer go for a 40 HP, if placing and retrieveing engine from transom at each outing go for a 30 HP, your back will be eternally grateful...

Happy Boating

azzurro · 26 February 2013, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

Years ago, we felt that 35hp was too slow for our MKIIIGR. Also, it cavitated (ventilated?) almost all the time, even travelling in a straight line. We upgraded to a 55hp and it was a better fit.

My current new WB465 is basically the same boat.

The trouble I'm having is that while I'd like to get 40hp+, those engines weigh a lot, and I'm not trailering this boat. A 30hp ETEC Evinrude is only 146 lbs, but I'm wondering if I'll be disappointed.

Any experience/advice/ideas?

Not trailering means each day mount/dismount? Or, as me, first summer day mount, last summer day dismount, moor at the beach/harbour? Even in my case, you can crack your back the very first summer day. I do need help to mount/launch/recover/clean/fold.

A WB465 sounds like the hell to load (maybe 70kg sponsons?)
If you can handle that (I expect with someone else help), you can handle a 70kg engine.

Which is not trivial. Beyond 25hp 2 stroke (or 20hp 4 stroke), engines come with battery and electric start (more weight). Weight and power are not scaled linear.

Me, I rather have holidays without hernia.

azzurro · 26 February 2013, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

Years ago, we felt that 35hp was too slow for our MKIIIGR. Also, it cavitated (ventilated?) almost all the time, even travelling in a straight line. We upgraded to a 55hp and it was a better fit.

My current new WB465 is basically the same boat.

The trouble I'm having is that while I'd like to get 40hp+, those engines weigh a lot, and I'm not trailering this boat. A 30hp ETEC Evinrude is only 146 lbs, but I'm wondering if I'll be disappointed.

Any experience/advice/ideas?

Beyond 4 meter, long shaft is almost mandatory. Long shaft = more weight.

azzurro · 26 February 2013, 14:39

...and 2 stroke is easier to pull start rather than 4 stroke.

Projectile · 27 February 2013, 05:06

Thanks Dave (clydeoutboards) for the info.

Interestingly, while Evinrude claims that 2-strokes are lighter than 3 strokes, that seems to be true for the 25-30 hp engines. From 40-60 hp, the 4 strokes I looked at (Merc and Yamaha) are similar or lighter than the Evinrude ETECs.

Projectile · 27 February 2013, 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

What type of vehicle will you hauling the folded boat in? If you will be using a pickup truck, you should consider getting on of those small foldable pick up truck cranes. Between that and launching wheels, it would expand your outboard options considerably.

Now THAT is an interesting idea!

prairie tuber · 27 February 2013, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

Now THAT is an interesting idea!

My head is full of them.

http://www.spitzlift.com/

http://stoaway.net/models.html

http://www.westernmule.com/pickup-truck-cranes.html

http://www.globalindustrial.ca/c/mat...ckup-truck-jib

gotchiguy · 27 February 2013, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by clydeoutboards

if you go for the 40hp have a look at the below table:

A Honda 40Hp is only 96kg, and is a 4 stroke so if weight is the biggest factor then I would also check Yam, Mariner, Suzi and Tohatsu as these might be even lighter than the Honda

Dave

Ah but you're forgetting the fact that a 4/ is much less practical than a 2/ in this situation because the etec can be laid in any orientation whereas the 4/ has to be put away in a certain way to prevent the oil flooding through.

The 40/50/60 etecs are not as light in comparison to 4/s as evinrude makes out. It's only really in the larger hp ranges that the lightness really comes into its own. How about a Tohatsu 50 TLDI at 93kg?

clydeoutboards · 27 February 2013, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Ah but you're forgetting the fact that a 4/ is much less practical than a 2/ in this situation because the etec can be laid in any orientation whereas the 4/ has to be put away in a certain way to prevent the oil flooding through.

The 40/50/60 etecs are not as light in comparison to 4/s as evinrude makes out. It's only really in the larger hp ranges that the lightness really comes into its own. How about a Tohatsu 50 TLDI at 93kg?

+1 for the Tohatsu. We have sold a fair few of these and date there have been no problems at all.

re the 4 strokes : on this i disagree as all that matters is what side you put it down and if you are laying it down i.e. like a 2 stroke why not just put it down on the same side? and the honda has nice lumps that stop it from being scratched unlike the 2 stroke!

azzurro · 27 February 2013, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

My head is full of them.

Spitzlift Portable Truck Crane

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Western Mule Pickup Truck Cranes

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Each summer I have to go donwstairs and upstairs with mine...no crane for that.
Engines usually have a ring to hang on to a crane, placed down the cover.

Weight balance is also an issue.
My BF20 Honda is quite light, but the head is much heavier than the leg and that makes it more difficult to handle.

Also, take into consideration the way you store/service your engine.
I use a modified Rooteq trolley (which I also use to move the engine downstairs/upstairs...).

Northern Pike · 03 March 2013, 21:10

A 40, 50 and 60 ETEC all weigh the same, about 240 lbs.
Too heavy to be lifting on and off all the time, IMHO.
My advice: Go with 50 or 60 and get a trailer.
I just got a 50 ETEC. I chose it because it was a good deal, and the 60 has an internal water valve/solenoid setup that I thought could prove to be an unnecessary complication.