orkney longliner

[motown]

iam getting a longliner and being a novice want to know what size outboard would be better what fishfinder and where to sight it and would i get away with a hand held vhs radio

[Codfather]

Hi Motown

The Longliner is a displacement hull design which means it will have a maximum speed of around 6 - 8kts.
Use to fish from one on the East coast with a 5hp Seagull driving it. This went well but tides were not too strong there. I would suggest 9hp would be more than ample and still give you good consumption.

Regarding the F/F would suggest you make up a clamp on bracket which is clamped to the gunnel (inside of course). The transducer can be mounted on wooden strip which again can be claamped onto the transom. This will allow easy removal for transport and security.
Hand held VHF are good but make sure you get one which gives out the maximum of 5 watts, some also have the ability to screw in the lead from a fixed areial which would give you better range.
I would not go more than few miles off shore depending on location with this sort of boat and outfit.
Hope you have all the other safety items as well.

Have a look at my website which may help you, link is in my signature.

Good luck

Dave