Favourite workhorse engine (30 to 50 HP)

[Channel Ribs]

What would be your choice to put on a boat that is going to be doing sub planing speeds all day every day for months on end?

Initial cost needs to be low.
Fuel economy is not too important.
Reliability and access to parts is the big one.

In the old days I would have gone for a 30HP Tohatsu two-stroke.

[Nos4r2]

What would you call low initial cost?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

What would you call low initial cost?

Depending on the horses I guess, but sub 4k for the top end of the power range.

One option suggested was a pair of 15HP four strokes, ok so long as the block is one of the bigger ones.

[Nos4r2]

I'd be looking for an ex leisure 50hp 4 stroke Honda. It'd last forever at displacement speeds.

[ruddles]

Tohatsu.
End of chat

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by malthouse

One option suggested was a pair of 15HP four strokes, ok so long as the block is one of the bigger ones.

? twin engines only about 70% efficient as a single with the combined HP, so a pair of 15s will give you little over the equivalent of a single 20HP. Then it will probably weigh more, and have double the maintainence costs etc. Thats also assuming you have space for them on the transom. Unless you need the backup of having twins, or the extra manouverability then I don't think it is sensible.

Might make a difference what its for. E.g. if it for a workboat shunting yachts round a harbour that needs lots of grunt but not much top speed or if its for a safety boat that will spend its life ticking over but occassionally might need to go flat out.

Is it being used commercially? - because then I think who offers the best commercial warranty will matter. What sort of hours will it do? An ETEC with 300 hour service intervals might be attractive compared to a 4-str with 100 hours.

In terms of cost I'm not sure if buying new that there is a huge amount in it (~10% of value), and your ability to get servicing/help if needed is probably more important for a boat that is needed every day.

[Channel Ribs]

Used is out, unless it has a certified history or is a dealer recon.

The boat will end up doing lots of hours at low RPM, very rarely ever needing any speed at all.

The extra maneuverability of twins would be nice and being able to take one off for service/repair without leaving the boat high and dry would be good too.

[ian parkes]

Twin honda 20's under 50 kg very smooth and quiet lots of torque and frugal on juice .

[Turbodiesel]

How about Mercury Seapro 40hp, 2 stroke? simple and realiable.

[BassBoy]

Should we call you MainBrayce!?

Easy.........suzi 4stroke