Mock clinker fishing boat.. What engine?

[rufusgti]

Im looking at getting a little boat. I've had speedboats in the past but what I really want is a lightweight boat I can launch and retrieve myself. I quite like those little 12-14ft mock clinker fiberglass boats. I'm wondering what these are like on calm seas and what size engine I would need to safely get me around the coast. Any particular mae or model of these boats to look for, and how do I know if its suitable for sea or lake/river.

[Simpo Two]

Any use? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[MOTORVATOR]

Round the coast you say?

There's some pointers in this article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1269257/Ma...

[rufusgti]

MOTORVATOR said:

Round the coast you say?

There's some pointers in this article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1269257/Ma...

Ye smart post, thanks. As I said I've had speedboats. Also live on the coast, surf all over Europe, Kayak, swim, fish, study weather conditions daily and have good local knowledge of the area I would use. So as original post, just need advice on engine sizes and a pointer to what to look for in one of these.

[MOTORVATOR]

rufusgti said:

Ye smart post, thanks. As I said I've had speedboats. Also live on the coast, surf all over Europe, Kayak, swim, fish, study weather conditions daily and have good local knowledge of the area I would use. So as original post, just need advice on engine sizes and a pointer to what to look for in one of these.

Lighten up, wasn't trying to be smart but round the coast is a big statement and instantly reminded me of him.

As for advice see the one I found on the other thread but you need to be a bit more specific. Open / closed / wheelhouse / high or low freeboard / how many people?

Biggest single issue you will be facing is bouyancy. If you are using one at sea then it makes sense for it to be fitted with inbuilt or buoyancy bags but they do take up a lot of room.

Have a look at the recreational craft directive and what you want is something to class A or B for sea use and those rowing boats mentioned above probably don't meet that. Whether you buy a pre registration and use that is your call.

[rufusgti]

Round the coast, ha! I get it now.

Ye what I mean is pottering around the estury In Cardigan, West Wales. Occasionally taking it round the island on a really calm day, which is at most a quarter mile out. It would be at most 3 people but mainly 1 or 2. Ok maybe I'll have a look round and post up what i find and see what you think.
Thanks for help.

[Hard-Drive]

If it's any help I have an 11' mock clinker fibreglass open tender which I use to get me from the shore to about 3/4 mile out into Portsmouth harbour to the big boat, I then leave that tender on my mooring when I go off sailing. I only have a 2.5hp 4 stroke Suzuki and it goes along surprisingly well with that, even 3 or 4 up with some gear. In fact, the loading and trim of the boat seems more important than the power. I've only got 2.5hp as it also needs be easily lifted onto the big boat and also needs to power my teeny weeny inflatable, and anything bigger than 2.5 would be OTT.

I'd say perhaps go up to about 4 or 5hp (how very un-PH!) but if you are on your own the biggest thing to make it go faster and take bigger seas is an extendable tiller so you can sit in the middle! Re safety, that should be enough for most conditions, although make sure you have oars (with metal, not plastic rowlocks), anchor/warp, spare fuel and a handheld VHF.

If you are going off for day fishing trips I'd also look for a motor that has a remote fuel tank as the built in ones empty surprisingly quickly, and you also need to choose between 2 stroke and 4 stroke. 2 stroke is lighter, more powerful, thirstier, and may need premixing, and you can't buy a new one. 4 stroke is quieter, heavier, more frugal, a bit more civilised, and you can buy a new one. Yachting Monthly did a test of 5hp outboards very recently and the Suzuki came out on top IIRC.

HTH.

[MOTORVATOR]

Here's a few to start you off.

http://terhi.fi/service.cntum?pageId=114366

http://www.justfishingboats.co.uk/

http://www.orkneyboatsltd.co.uk/fishingdayboatra.h...

http://www.boats4fun.co.uk/

Pick a model you like and do a search. It will throw up plenty for sale and then you will get an idea of what people power them with.

[davepoth]

HTH.

[prand]

Maybe talk to these people as they sell small boats like you describe:
http://southhamsmarine.co.uk/RowingBoats.aspx

[danyeates]

MOTORVATOR said:

Lighten up, wasn't trying to be smart but round the coast is a big statement and instantly reminded me of him.

As for advice see the one I found on the other thread but you need to be a bit more specific. Open / closed / wheelhouse / high or low freeboard / how many people?

Biggest single issue you will be facing is bouyancy. If you are using one at sea then it makes sense for it to be fitted with inbuilt or buoyancy bags but they do take up a lot of room.

Have a look at the recreational craft directive and what you want is something to class A or B for sea use and those rowing boats mentioned above probably don't meet that. Whether you buy a pre registration and use that is your call.

Class A or B? Are you sure? You're never going to find a 12-14' boat with a RCD cat A or B plate, you'd struggle to find one with a cat C. The boats we sell start at 6.00m for a cat B boat, most are cat C and are fine for the coast. For Cat A you're going to be needing a passage making vessel.

My Avon 580 is a cat C and I've taken it from Lymington to Portsmouth, Lymington to Poole and around the Isle of Wight several times and it's more than capable. I think if the OP goes into a marine showroom asking for a cat A or B 12' dinghy he'd get laughed out!

We sell Orkney boats, Linder aluminium boats and used to deal with Terhi as well. Most that size were cat D, some were C. The 4.4m Linders are often used around the local harbours (Poole, Portsmouth, Christchurch Chichester etc.) without issue, most are sold with 4hp or 5hp engines, but the boats are quite light (being aluminium). The Orkney boats which are heavier would be sold with 9.9hp to 15hp engines.

ETA: Just reread your post, you did say a dinghy wouldn't meet the requirements of Cat A or B so fair enough. I still think a Cat B would be a bit OTT for what he wants though.

Edited by danyeates on Thursday 14th April 08:55

[MOTORVATOR]

danyeates said:

ETA: Just reread your post, you did say a dinghy wouldn't meet the requirements of Cat A or B so fair enough. I still think a Cat B would be a bit OTT for what he wants though.

Edited by danyeates on Thursday 14th April 08:55

I just reread it myself. No I wasn't suggesting going and finding a Cat A 12ft dinghy