Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

[Bill Battle]

I am planning to take an extended vacation on a boat this year and would like some advice from more experienced boaters.<br />I am planning to fly to Holland and buy a small, about 16 to 18 foot boat, not much more than a row boat, but with a small cabin, or just big enough for a sleeping bag and bicycle and tour as much of Europe via the rivers and canals as possible in about five months.<br />Hopefully when I am ready to come home I can sell the boat without too much of a loss. <br />If I have this figured correctly I will be running low on money at about mid September, just when it will start getting too cold to sleep on a boat.<br />My biggest concern now is how reliable are 8 to 10 hp outboard motors?<br />I already know to look for a newer 4 cycle model for fuel economy, but has anyone had any experience with traveling longer distances with an outboard. I expect to travel between 1000 and 2000 miles with it.<br />I am a very novice boater and would welcome any advice.<br />Thank You<br />Bill Battle<br />sleazyrdr@hotmail.com

 

[crab bait]

Re: Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

gee, bill i'm jealous .... take me with you ... i can cook good camp food..really i can... BOY , WHAT AN ADVENTURE !! can't really help you on your motor question but i'm sure somebody here can.... good luck & keep your fuel clean...

 

[DJ]

Re: Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

Bill Battle,<br /><br />Some of the outboard manufactures have set real long distance marathons with their smaller engines. I know that Johnson/Evinrude set some very long running times with their little four strokes when they were first introduced.<br /><br />I've also seen some fleets of tour boats running 15 hp. Evinrude four strokes with no troubles.<br /><br />Just about any of the four strokes in that size will give great service. Most two strokes will too. The 4's will give you better fuel economy (important in Europe) and will be quieter/smoother too.<br /><br />If I were you, I would do some checking and see which brands are best represented where you are planning to travel. Any of the name brands will work fine.<br /><br />What you are planning sounds like a great time.

 

[sony2001]

Re: Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

Over 2000 miles the 4 cycle will save you a lot of gas money. Don't accept a 2 cycle. Run the engine at 75% power all day long and it will give you the best speed/fuel economy and very little engine wear. Use synthetic oil in the crankcase. Oil changes with regular oil 50 hours.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

2000 miles at 10 mph would only be 200 operating hours. Even at 5 mph that would only be 400 hours. A drop in the bucket for a 4-stroke . Just bring some extra oil filters/oil, and a fuel filter.<br /><br />With that small of a motor on a 16-18' boat, I would recommend a "high thrust" outboard. I've had extremely good luck with two different Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke high thrusts. One is Yamaha's original production year model and probably has 2,000 hours trolling and 1,000 hours WOT on it. Never a problem with either. Their new 8 hp high thrust is supposidly very good too.<br /><br />Been told the 8 hp resembles the prop torque of a 25 horse and the 9.9 hp resembles the torque of a 30 hp. Both are about the same price and weight. Go with the 9.9.<br /><br />Have fun

 

[rolmops]

Re: Long Distance touring with outboard motor?

hello.<br />NOT FAIR!!!!!<br />You will find yourself without a car and stuck in lots of locks.You will need somebody who knows the languages. I can help!!<br />But seriously,no matter how great an engine you will have.Do get yourself some backup for the engine.Pushing your bicycle through a muddy field with an engine tied to your back and an angry bull chasing you, may not be the sort of adventure you planned.<br /><br />One extremely jealous Rolmops