Aux engine: strong mount; dealers; air or water cooled etc???

[Copinsay]

Hello All

Have been searching past posts on this, but still have a few queries that I hope you can help me with.

I have the offer of a barely used Mariner F3.5ML which I'd love to use as an aux engine to my 60HP Yamaha on a Bombard Explorer 5m rib. This is just as an emergency, get-me-home-without-calling-the lifeboat backup. Often there's no other boats about for a tow around here.

However, being 4 stroke it may well be physically to be too wide to fit (see pic - at full lock min clear width is 230mm at far end of existing engine, 300mm at transom). Happy to steer with 60hp if need be.

If it did fit it may be very tight, but if that was the best option I would persevere, though I'm not sure it would look pretty!

But the other option I'm keen to consider is to look for a decent used 2 stroke 3-5hp ish long shaft (or are there some narrow 4 strokes out there?). Also, a 2 stroke would also have the advantage of a few kg less on the transom.

So my questions are before dismissing the Mariner:

1 - recommendations for a good aux engine mount that will retract the leg: I've some I've seen look rather too flimsy for a rib.

2 - air cooled or water cooled? What would you go for and why

3 - any good models of engine in this range to look for... or to avoid!

4 - any recommendations of reliable dealers in used outboards with warranties, preferably in the north of Scotland, but anywhere in the UK if doing mail order.

5 - creative suggestions for mounting the Mariner

4 - and of course, anyone on here with sales of the above feel free to get in touch too.

Many thanks for your help and have a great Christmas.

Best wishes

Steve

[Festinghouse]

i once heard that air cooled engines can overheat when having to push the weight of a rib, though ive never tried it myself

[hadd]

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Hello All

Have been searching past posts on this, but still have a few queries that I hope you can help me with.

I have the offer of a barely used Mariner F3.5ML which I'd love to use as an aux engine to my 60HP Yamaha on a Bombard Explorer 5m rib. This is just as an emergency, get-me-home-without-calling-the lifeboat backup. Often there's no other boats about for a tow around here.

However, being 4 stroke it may well be physically to be too wide to fit (see pic - at full lock min clear width is 230mm at far end of existing engine, 300mm at transom). Happy to steer with 60hp if need be.

If it did fit it may be very tight, but if that was the best option I would persevere, though I'm not sure it would look pretty!

But the other option I'm keen to consider is to look for a decent used 2 stroke 3-5hp ish long shaft (or are there some narrow 4 strokes out there?). Also, a 2 stroke would also have the advantage of a few kg less on the transom.

So my questions are before dismissing the Mariner:

1 - recommendations for a good aux engine mount that will retract the leg: I've some I've seen look rather too flimsy for a rib.

2 - air cooled or water cooled? What would you go for and why

3 - any good models of engine in this range to look for... or to avoid!

4 - any recommendations of reliable dealers in used outboards with warranties, preferably in the north of Scotland, but anywhere in the UK if doing mail order.

5 - creative suggestions for mounting the Mariner

4 - and of course, anyone on here with sales of the above feel free to get in touch too.

Many thanks for your help and have a great Christmas.

Best wishes

Steve

Hi steve, i used a heavy duty bracket on the transom of my old boat it work fine just make sure you strap the engine down to stop it jumping about ,i had one of these bracket
Garelick Stainless Steel Outboard Motor Bracket For 2-Stroke Motors(7.5 To 12 HP) 71039 few pic's here to give you some idea

[9D280]

Not that many air cooled machines out there, which probably solves that quandary easily!

I have quite severe space & weight restrictions. Chance brought a 1970s Johnson 4 to me.

I have since totally rebuilt the clamp so it straddles the towing eye and now has a lump of 2x1 to support it in the up position instead of the pathetic bit of bent metal...

Still developing it, but my plan A of a big bungee to stop it bouncing is about to be replaced by 6 or 8mm rope & a cam cleat.

On the app at the mo, Will post pics later.

[spartacus]

I've had auxilliary engines on both my boats. Firstly a Zodiac Pro 420. Space was uber-tight, but I managed to squeeze a Tohatsu 3.5hp 2-stroke long shaft in. It was on a Plastimo adjustable bracket. Regards that installation - the Plastimo bracket used to rattle and I didn't rate it for such a small engine. In addition, the Tohatsu tilt push bolt is flimsy, so it must be secured underway. I fitted a stainless steel U bolt to the back of the bench seat and used a ratched strap which worked a treat.

My new setup includes a Mariner 4hp 2-stroke long-shaft. Cracking little engine and relatively light too. This time it's mounted on the transom of the RIBcraft 4.8m and fits like a glove. It's secured underway with a ratchet strap from the engine to a stainless steel U bolt on the transom leg.

I'd go for a 2-stroke water cooled engine every time, they're light, fit in the available space, etc.

Not sure what the Bombard transom is like, but if it's like other Zodiacs - it's probably got strengthening sections that restricts fitting the engine straight onto the transom. Got any pictures?

If I come across any suitable engines I'll post you a link.

[Copinsay]

Hi Hadd

That's really helpful as your transom profile and size looks very similar to mine. You even have the same bilge setup. Whate engine do you have there?

Thanks

Steve

[Copinsay]

H Festinghouse

Thanks - I did wonder this... advantage for air cooled would seem to be no problems with "tea-leaf" seaweed when doing some landings close inshore, plus no flushing and reduced maintenance.

This came up as I was being shown a Honda BF2.3/BF5 that are air aircooled at a local dealers.

At least maybe a tad less overheating up here where it generally doesn't get above 20 degrees in the summer.

Welcome any other thoughts on the issue

Steve

[Copinsay]

Thanks 9D280 - woudl like to see the pics - when in Scotland are you?

Best wishes

Steve

[Copinsay]

Hi Spartacus

That Mariner setup looks really neat - and my transom looks very similar to yours in profile.

Mine though has the complication of the A-Frame and the fillet of material for the tubes

Will add some pics here.

Do like the idea of the direct mount and tilt up, rather than the bracket.

Many thanks for your help

Steve

[hadd]

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Hi Hadd

That's really helpful as your transom profile and size looks very similar to mine. You even have the same bilge setup. Whate engine do you have there?

Thanks

Steve

Aux was a mercury 4hp sail drive with a bigger prop it pushed the rib 6 knots & the bracket was great no movement at all i bought the bracket from a boat jumble cheap

[Copinsay]

Also thanks for the comments about the Tohatsu 3.5hp - these seem to be getting good reviews re price / size / performance.

All the very best to Christmas to you all

Steve

[9D280]

Copinsay-

A bit futher south than you! (Central belt)

Unless you are absolutely desparate, can the pic wait a few days? Reason being that it is partly dismantled (for the MK2 mods) and we are about to be invaded for 3 days.....

[clydeoutboards]

Hi

the honda 2.3 air cooled is a great engine and v v light at only 12.5kg. Sorry the 5hp is not air cooled and it does not matter how many time we tell honda that this is needed as they still seem to have no plans for one.

as with all small engines the smaller they are the more salt build up/ general crap effects them so if you do go that route and it is a good option i would just flush it through a bit more often.

as others have said i would also buy the nissan engine badged as tohatsu not mercury or mariner as it is 100% the same but less money and has the same warranty but amazingly the parts are cheaper.

We sell both but if it was my money I would buy the Honda. single handed control , 6 years warranty, 12.5kg so same as a 2 stroke, 1l fuel on full throttle will last an hour 1 hour, and air cooled.

Dave

[Copinsay]

Hello Dave

Many thanks for that – really helpful.

How are you fixed for small outboard delivery to Orkney on new and s/h engines please?

Also – how would I go on re warranty work?

Feel free to pm me privately if helpful.

Best wishes

Steve

[clydeoutboards]

Hi sent pm