A Boat For My potted plants

[Neil Watson]

Hi - I'm new here. In fact I'm new to all things boats. I moved to a riverside region in Essex, England, and was given an old dillapidated river cruiser, circa 1974 or 5, by a friend. The boat needed renovation, which I have been doing. I also like to write, so I have been doing a regular blog (http://www.aboatformypotplants.blogspot.com/) about the whole experience and adventure.

I have reached a critical stage, whereby I have been given some money by a reader to buy an outboard motor. Readers of the blog have kindly given me suggestions about what type of motor I need to get. I would appreciate receiving, and be very grateful for more advice as the story continues...

I hope it is okay to join this site. Thanks.

Neil

 

[JB]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Ahoy, Neil.

Welcome to iboats.

Need more info and pix, Neil.

Also, beware of soliciting any sort of transaction with members. That is firmly forbidden.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Normally I would try to help. But in the USA, formypotplant means time in the cell. So I can not post to you. All this writing is very legal in a USA court of law.

Rich

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

welcome aboard.

My first reaction demonstates that ours are two countries divided by a common language. "potplants" are marijuana and boats are often used in the process. But you want a fast motor for that.

if you want advice about putting an outboard on that boat, post photos here, rather than a link, especially of the stern; from what I saw of the boat, it's going to be a tough fit.

You also need to think about the motor size. I recall that y'all run large boats at low speeds, and also with the high cost of gas, use smaller motors than we would, so yours might not be the typical rig we'd use here.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Hi - I'm new here. In fact I'm new to all things boats. I moved to a riverside region in Essex, England, and was given an old dillapidated river cruiser, circa 1974 or 5, by a friend. The boat needed renovation, which I have been doing. I also like to write, so I have been doing a regular blog (www.aboatformypotplants.blogspot.com) about the whole experience and adventure.

I have reached a critical stage, whereby I have been given some money by a reader to buy an outboard motor. Readers of the blog have kindly given me suggestions about what type of motor I need to get. I would appreciate receiving, and be very grateful for more advice as the story continues...

I hope it is okay to join this site. Thanks.

Neil

Welcome. To put a little humor here, certian pot plants are illegal in the U.S.

 

[Philster]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Common language barrier and nothing more. In the USA, they are called potted plants. Pot plant = cannabis(marijuana) plant in the USA.

Looks like the OP is honestly talking about an old boat that he considered for use to use as a planter, but now it's about fixing up an old boat for it's original, intended use... as a boat.

 

[Neil Watson]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Gosh. I'm sorry. I had no idea about the potplants thing. I didn't even realise that this forum is based in the States - so please forgive me if I shouldn't be posting here.

The whole potplant thing was because we moved to a place without a garden. A local friend said that he used his old boat as a garden to sit on in the sunshine. I thought it was a good idea, so accepted the offer of a free boat, initially for the same reason - despite it needing loads of work. But now I have caught the bug, and can't wait to get out on to the river - but first I need an outboard.

I can assure everyone that this is indeed a genuine boat and a genuine renovation project in a small coastal area of rural Essex in England. It is in no way connected with anything to do with drugs - although I admit to having had a few glasses of Merlot on board with some friends.

Whilst I am finding my way around this forum, and hopefully learning how to add photos, I can only thus far offer all the pics (right from the start of the project, when the boat was a wreck) that are on the blog.

Also, someone has said that soliciting is forbidden on this site. I have no intention of doing any such thing.

It is simply an unfolding story from a boat-novice like me about the renovation and all the extraordinary things that have happened and great people I have met, all because of The Boat For My Potplants.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Divided by a common language (where is my torch, I mean flashlight, I mean torch,.....). I suppose we'd say "potted plants" on this side of the pond. Amazing what a difference a couple letters can make, but I was willing to help either way LOL. As for motors, many here are very fond of vintage OMC (Outboard Marine Corporation) motors. They made Johnson/Evinrude/Gale/Sea King and other brands. The models built from the mid 50's-early 70's are most sought after for their availability, reliability, ease of use and maintenance, looks and all around coolness. There are models ranging from 3hp - 85hp +, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. Parts are also readily available right here at iboats. While prices for these old gems do seem to be higher outside of the states, but there were many OMC motors sold in gtht UK and Europe, so you should still be able to find some good deals with a bit of patience and luck. Here are a few links to get you started. Keep us posted. We love pics.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/index1.htm

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

I spent a bit of time looking through you web page first and you will find this group very helpful but I would suggest you make a change on your thread title but other than that your fine.
I can see you have spent a tremendous amount of time restoring your boat it is looking great. Isn't it strange how it becomes a passion restoring a old boat, the old boats just have a class that's missing in a lot of the new ones. I can see why you are at the motor stage.
From the one picture of the stern, and I cant really tell that much it looks like it is set up for a small outboard several more pictures and if you have ran across a data plate it should have a max hp rating that will also help if it doesn't have one or it has been lost then it becomes a bit harder, then you have to track down the information by boat brand, year and so on. how ever from what I can see it looks like a small motor something in the 25 hp range would be fine and that would just move it around but it really depends on what plans you have, if its more than just moving it around, do you want to get it up on plain and so on you will have to dig in and find out the max HP ratings.

 

[Don S]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

I fixed the title.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

yea neil sure has done a lot of work on his boat.

 

[southkogs]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

What a crack up ... Neil, please learn proper "English!"

Oddly, I didn't think twice about the title of this post as my daughters brought a little "Britain" to our house recently. Deciding to learn to cook "bubble and squeak" they wound up reading a bunch of articles and what-not from the Queen's realm. Potplants came up once. BTW - I am now a BIG fan of "bubble and squeak."

Your boat is a fun project, and I enjoyed nosing around your blog. Something that will help with some suggestions on an outboard for you - What type of waters are you going to run the boat on? It looks like it might be a boat that is designed to run on canals. The transom actually is one of the strangest that I can recall seeing. It looks like it's designed to hold an out board that I would almost think is laughably too small for the boat. But if you're not going out on big water (ocean, the channel, etc.) a small OB would probably work.

Welcome aboard.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Re: A Boat For My potplants

Neil, I just watched the videos on your site. I watched them out of chronological order so I feel I have a better appreciation for how far you've come. Keep up the great work! It looks like a fun project.

One curiosity...the helm appears to have dual throttles. Are you looking to repower with twins?

BTW...most pot boats in the US have twins or triples.
Just kidding...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Looks to me like the transom has been modified for a small outboard.... I suspect that that boat was originally an inboard.

It does look like a decent albeit odd splashwell was constructed with drains and all.... If you haven't already I would inspect the splashwell area and it's construction VERY thoroughly. Make sure it is very strong as with the sheer size of the area, a large wake or wave could put a lot of water in there and the structure needs to be able to withstand the pressure until the water rolls back out... I'd also consider using some sort of a jackplate with a longer shaft motor to keep the powerhead of the engine out of the water.

of course this is just my .02

here is a pic from the blog

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Actually now that I think about it, I'd build up the transom and raise the floor of the splashwell along with it's drain holes.... In the pic below, the powerhead of the engine would be about 1-2" above the surface of the water..... You would be on the edge of disaster if you loaded up with people and went for a cruise

 

[Neil Watson]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

I am really glad to have stumbled across this forum, and thanks to all of you who have already posted replies. It's an added bonus for me to discover that you're in the USA - a place I loved when I visited in my early 20's when I cycled across from LA to NY. I met so many nice people, some of whom I am still friends with after over 30 years - but that's all another story.

Regarding my boat, and in answer to some of the questions - the intention is to only use it on the river where I live, which is tidal. It's been moored in a prime position outside the Rose And Crown village pub in Wivenhoe, about 50 miles north-east of London. I understand that it is a 'Teal', manufactured around 1974, is 23 feet, with GRP hull. It was originally used as a hire-canal-boat on the Norfolk Broads (an inland waterway area just south of England's east coast).

It was given to me with a Johnson 4hp outboard, and the transom is designed for it to clip on the back (sorry - I'm not used to boating terms yet). I've had the motor serviced but it doesn't have reverse, and is not powerful enough to go against the tide on our River Colne.

I'd like to be able to go to Alresford Creek, about 3 miles down-river, and also across to the Albion pub, which is about half a mile up-river on the opposite side. A further 2 miles down-river takes us to the North Sea, and I don't think I have the courage for that - yet.

 

[dan t.]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Wow nice restoration job, as for an outboard,I would go for a 2-3 year old lease return, some good deals out there. I would think that for anything above 6-7 knots you would need at least 120 HP, if you just want to putter along 25-30 would do just fine. Now for the transom, way too low, the attaching point will need to be raised to the point where the anticavitation plate on the motor is flush with the bottom of the boat. Good luck with your search.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Going up in the Norfolk Broads--now you're talking my language!

As I said before, I know that a lot of Europeans underpower their boats (by our standards) b/c they confine to what are basically miles of no wake zones. So while we'd power it to cross the Chesapeake Bay, as long as Neil stays way inshore, and away from shipping lanes, he can get away with a 25 or so.

I've said my position many times on how an underpowered boat can be dangerous, but that's when used in conditions it was made for. As long as he doesn't go for Adventures at Sea he's OK.

And that merlot will make you talk funny. stick with the grog.

 

[southkogs]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Much like Home Cookin', if you were venturing out beyond the canals and inland waters - I'd be with Smokeonthewater about rebuilding the rear end on it. But where you're going to be running, a smaller outboard would work.

The 4HP scares me a little though. Once you're under way, there's quite a bit of inertia built up in a boat that size. I would want more power than 4 horses to maneuver more quickly and/or stop. Problem is I have no clue as to if 30 HP gives you enough for that?

I also agree that the transom looks REALLY low. I wonder if they made particular motors for that application?

 

[lncoop]

Re: A Boat For My potted plants

Welcome aboard Neil. I'll be watching this one with interest as I'm already mentally picturing your cruises. Some of the comments are causing me to reflect on the fact that we Yanks sometimes live way too fast. I've often thought this as I've been pulling the admiral, jr. on a tube and watching the needle on the gas gauge scream to the left. Good luck with the finishing touches. Oh, and by the way, that motor does indeed have reverse. In order to engage it one need only turn it around. Cheers.