Newbie here looking for outboard advice

[Veedunk]

Hello,

I have recently become the owner of an old Avon Redseal which I will be taking to Lake Garda later this month for a bit of fun on the lake with the family.

I have a couple of questions which I hope someone on here will be able to help out with?

Firstly, I have read that the maximum outboard size is 4hp but I don't know what length shaft to get. The measurement from the top of the bracket to the bottom of the Avon is 18", is that standard length?

Also, does anyone know if 2 stroke engines are allowed on Lake Garda, I don't want to get there and find out I can't use it

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am a complete novice and don't want to waste my money on an outboard that I can't use.

Regards,

Duncan

[lightning]

Lake Garda is quite large so you are going to be looking at I would say a 5hp minimum, plus safety equipment.

[Nos4r2]

Redseals are max 4hp-they are roundtails. Putting any more HP on will just bend the tubes and shove the powerhead closer to the water.

You need a short shaft outboard for it, which is the standard shaft length for most 4hp outboards, unless it's been used to push a small yacht along.

[lightning]

Oh yes my dad had one of those when I was a teenager, he had a 2hp on it.

Not sure if I'd want to cross Lake Garda in one....

[Veedunk]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will start looking for a short shaft then. Out of interst what would be the outcome if I fitted a long shaft?
Don't worry, I don't intend to cross the Lake, but just potter about along the edge
If anyone has an outboard for sale I may well be interested.
Thanks again

[thornbackflound]

Slow drag in the water,will slow you down SHORT shaft is a defo for what you need.

[lightning]

What about a Mercury/Mariner 3.5hp. Same weight as the 2.5hp (only 17kg) but a bit more power.
9kg lighter than the 4hp and nearly as much power, no reverse gear but you can rotate the engine 180 degrees to reverse.
Lovely little engine.

[thornbackflound]

Originally Posted by lightning

What about a Mercury/Mariner 3.5hp. Same weight as the 2.5hp (only 17kg) but a bit more power.
9kg lighter than the 4hp and nearly as much power, no reverse gear but you can rotate the engine 180 degrees to reverse.
Lovely little engine.

Yes a Mercury/Mariner 3.5hp would be ideal ,i use a 3.3 hp one smashing little engine,only good on real flat calm day's in the estury but would not give her up for the world.

[Veedunk]

I was considering a 3.3 or 3.5 as an alternative, is it important to have a neutral gear?

[EnglishLes]

Originally Posted by thornbackflound

Mercury/Mariner 3.5hp would be ideal.

I have two of these (brought the 2nd one for spares on e-bay as not working - now works a treat).

I have a 3.1 RIB get about 6mph tops on the canal with two adults.

Tried it on the Thames at Windsor fine going upstream.

You are welcome to try one or borrow for your holiday if not sorted by then.

I am two mins from J3 of the M3.