What size spare engine?

clark282 · 06 March 2015, 15:35

Hello,

I have a 5.3m Tornado with a 1990 75HP engine. due to the age of the engine i am thinking about having a small backup engine on the transom in case the worst happens?

What size do people recommend? i thought about a 5HP?

Thanks
Alex

matt h · 06 March 2015, 16:16

as a rule, should be fine. 1 hp per metre

davej · 06 March 2015, 17:11

I have a tornado 5mtr with a 60 hp main engine and bought a Yamaha Malta from a mate of mine, which I believe is 4hp. This seems fine but I haven't used it for real ie in an emergency situation. The advantage of a small two stroke is that it fits alongside the main engine using the transom rather that a bracket.

good luck dave

Pikey Dave · 06 March 2015, 18:11

Sods law says that if your main engine does indeed fail, it will do so at the most inconvenient moment, which in boating terms is when you're being blown onto a lee shore in breaking seas, your aux needs to be able to cope with those conditions. 5hp might be enough to push it along in nice calm conditions with the wind & tide behind you, but you wouldn't want to be stuck in the Corryvrecken with only a 5hp

Sea_dog · 06 March 2015, 18:53

My old boat, 17ft Wilson flyer had a 86 115 two stroke Suzy, never missed a beat in 6 years! Apart from once with a dodgey battery being flat. We had a 15 mariner 4 stroke on a custom stainless and HDPE bracket I made and bolted to the transom. We used to use the wee 4 for trawling or just saving fuel, it would push us all day long against a 2mph tide at about 7mph, it was good for about 9mph flat out. The boat was fairly heavy loaded, possibly 1500kg or more on a 3/4 day fishing trip

Xk59D · 07 March 2015, 00:10

6-8hp would be ideal if you can find something.

A 5hp sail would also be decent choice if you come across one.

Other factor is space and weight will dictate what size you can fit. As an example, my 5hp 4 stroke mariner would not fit on my old 5.6 Avon, I was stuck with a 3.3hp 2 stroke, never had to use it in anger which is probably just as well. I figured it would do as keeping me off rocks till I got anchors out worst case.

Cheers

spartacus · 07 March 2015, 07:22

I've got a Mariner 4hp 2-stroke on my Ribcraft 4.8 and have never had to use it. Reassuring to have it though. Service it well and use it every time you're out, if even just to tick it over.

Suzuki 6hp long-shaft 4-stroke: John Bridger Marine

Yamaha 8hp long-shaft 2-stroke and others here: http://www.seamarknunn.co.uk/download/usedob/used.pdf

Sea_dog · 07 March 2015, 09:41

If your getting a back up, don't forget that some small outboards are the same, ie my mariner 15 also comes as a 9.9, so worth getting the extra hp for a little more dosh, but no extra weight!

clark282 · 07 March 2015, 10:24

Thanks for all your help, definitely got me thinking a bit more. Something that fits directly on the transom would be ideal, but happy with a bracket if needs be.

Sea_dog · 07 March 2015, 10:40

Just bear in mind most brackets go upto 5/6hp but always go by weight rating. I'm sure some other people on here can advise if the sees other brackets out there. Or if you fancy making one I can PM you a sketch of what I made before

Xk59D · 07 March 2015, 11:36

Avoid brackets unless you have no other option.

Cheers

darren moom · 31 March 2015, 20:30

I have an SR4 with 40 stroker yam. I have a 55Ib thrust battery powered trolling motor. it pushes my 3.4 sib along at a strong walking pace on one leisure battery all day long.
Im wondering how it would do on my sea rider as an emergency. I know its not going to go fast on a head on tide, but would it possibly work as an emergency? Obviously sense would dictate having a spare battery on board. thoughts please?

darren moom · 31 March 2015, 20:36

Ive only suggested the above as there is very little room on my transom with the main engine, and A frame as well. I have a silver century seagull but think even that would be a struggle to operate ..