Shaft Length?

[chrishowden]

I am thinking of getting a 2.3hp honda outboard and not sure what shaft length will i need to fit on the back of my avon adventure 450

[Downhilldai]

Main motor or auxiliary?

[spartacus]

I'd have thought it would be long shaft. Are you intending to mount it on the transom, or have it stored elsewhere onboard?

[Hightower]

If I were you, I'd consider a more powerful outboard. My old 5m RIB with a 2.5hp Aux motor was useless and couldn't even manage a straight course in small tides and wind conditions.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Hightower

If I were you, I'd consider a more powerful outboard. My old 5m RIB with a 2.5hp Aux motor was useless and couldn't even manage a straight course in small tides and wind conditions.

Agree with that. A Yamaha 2-stroke 4hp would be ideal. Like rocking horse poo to find though.

[Downhilldai]

I use a 3.3hp Merc auxiliary on a 4.7m Searider and it's ok. A larger outboard would need a bracket, as there's only just enough room on the transom for the 3.3hp, 'cos the boat has an A-frame.

[chrishowden]

what size of outboard would you recomend then

[MOS]

4hp should be plenty...

the yamaha two-stroke 5hp is the same engine as the 4hp, as in weight and size.

For shaft size, I would measure from the transom down... Obviously I am going to presume the aux isn't going to be in the middle of the transom and as such doesn't need to be as long shafted as the main engine?

The Yam 4/5hp two-stroke shaft lengths are:

S - 444mm L - 571mm

www.mobileoutboardservices.com

[chrishowden]

would i get away with a 2.3 honda. I have a budget of £550 and would pefer it to be new if possible

[Polwart]

Chris,

Not sure how far you are planning to venture in the new boat, but assuming you are looking at the Firth of Forth West of Berwick then I'd have thought the Honda 2.3 would give you enough power... it won't get you anywhere fast, and it might only get you to some shoreline somewhere that you can get a bus home, but thats better than calling out the lifeboat!

However if I had £550 to spend I would go for a bigger second hand model if it would fit on the transom.

Finally your boat is not actually long enough for the Honda 2.3 - you won't be able to get far enough away from the noise of the air cooled engine running at full throttle to bear using if for any length of time.