Hp required for outboard on swim platform. update.

[ulster1]

I have a sea ray 280 sundancer and want to put an outboard on the swim platform?
Anyone done this?
I would like to do the Trent lock system from lake Ontario to Georgian Bay and back next season but cant afford the fuel to run the twin 4.3 for that distance.
As the trip would be several hundred klm I thought a 15-20 horse on the swim platform would give me great fuel economy.
Your comments would be appreciated.

Ed

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

#1 Swim platform isn't designed for that
#2 It's gonna take some good HP to push a 280DA, especially with any wind.
#3 You bought the wrong boat if you can't afford fuel prices.

I'd suggest you just run one screw at a time if you want to save on fuel, but I doubt it'll make that much of a difference.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

uhhhhhmmmmmmmmm.......??????

 

[dlngr]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

How 'bout a pair of oars? !!!! Sorry,couldn't help it!

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Uh, yeah there is only so much you can do. Go at displacement speeds (6-9 MPH or so depending) or bite the bullet and pay the price. There's no getting around physics, do the math, and you will be spending money, speed versus money.

The bigger point is you are confusing efficiency for economy. It takes X amount of power to push a boat X MPH. For the same speeds, your 4.3 will be reasonably efficient and you will not realize any real gains with a lower horsepower motor.

 

[pmillar]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Sailboats are dirt cheap to operate, eh? Kinda slow though

And while I haven't spent any time in Georgian Bay I was up in the North Channel last year for the first time since the 80's. It is beautiful up there. You have the right idea in that regard. Can you tow your boat or is it too big? That might be a cheaper way to get there plus have the bonus of more time to explore once you're there.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

That's a great voyage - done little bits of it (Orillia to Parry Sound). I'd second the single screw approach for the slow bits. I've also seen it scary congested around locks, some stretches of the inner channel etc. You don't want to be messing about without good control in those areas and you might get into some trouble you can't steer clear of with a little outboard hanging off the back of a heavy boat.

A guy the next slip over from my dad had I think a Bayliner with twin 4.3s. As I recall he wasn't happy trying to run one engine only at plane but for puttering it might be ok.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform.

Sorry, but......

Where the heck would you steer it from? I have this image of a guy standing on his swim platform with a tiller, and his wife on the bow yelling "turn left!"

 

[ulster1]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform. updated

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform. updated

Thanks for the input guy's but here is the big picture which I guess I should have explained at the beginning.
A bunch of us from our club are planning to do the trip together and take 4 - 6 - 8 weeks to complete.
We are all retired and with the economy well that speaks for itself.
Some of the folks who plan on going have sail boats and will not step their masts in the spring and will motor the whole way (Bridges cannot accommodate the masts)
We are planning to travel together and the sail boats travel at approx 10 - 12 kph.
I and the other power boaters did not want to run the twins at this speed for hours so figured an outboard on the swimplatform would do the trick for the long slow runs Toronto to Trenton etc.and then power up for the locks and docking etc.
I have seen fishing boats out of Toronto with a motor on the swim platform for trolling so I guess I should speak to them.
As for the steering Beefer I like you idea but I dont think that would work????with the wife it 's still the pointy and blunt ends.
I was hoping to steer with the twins or install a inexpensive auto helm on the outboard. (Have not quite figured this out yet) I have all winter to think on it.
I also plan to buy a dingy to mount on the swim platform for when we cross the lake and want to go up-down river and also have some fun with the grand kids----and thought if I could size the motor right it would serve both swim platform and dingy.

You thoughts.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform. update.

I don't think it's a practical solution in so many ways.

Boating is not inexpensive. If you can't afford long trips, you will have to take shorter trips. If you really want to take longer trips, you might consider a boat designed to travel at hull speed. A sailboat is one option, a single screw trawler (like mine) is another.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Hp required for outboard on swim platform. update.

The cost of the outboard motor plus mounting brackets/controls would outweigh the cost of fuel for running your normal engines. Just run the engines at low rpms to stay with your group of sailboats and enjoy the scenery.