Auxillary size

steve-b · #1 08-02-2005, 07:34 PM

Hi
Anyone know the minimum back-up outboard h.p. for a Sea Hog Shortie.
Thanks.

Portland Pirate · #2 08-02-2005, 10:58 PM

Hi Steve.

There are a lot of factors to take into account when you think about a back-up.
The main one is how far are you going to go out in it.
I had a 15ft Wilson flyer with a 5HP aux. I had occasion to use it in anger twice but more often I would use it as a trolling motor.
I only went within the confines of the Solent or within a mile of Portland harbour.
If you are venturing offshore more then look at an engine between 8 - 15 HP.
One of the biggest causes of outboard engine failure is contaminated fuel. Ensure that your Auxiliary fuel is in a different container than your main fuel.

steve-b · #3 08-03-2005, 06:19 PM

Thanks Portland Pirate
I had been offered a 4hp. by a friend but may now consider a larger engine.
I fish off the North Coast of Anglesey, mostly within a couple of miles of my mooring.

Codfather · #4 08-03-2005, 08:24 PM

I would suggest that you think of the strength of the tide on a spring.

If it would cope with this you should be ok.

Aux engines should be tested regularly so that you can get out of trouble with minimum fuss.
Sod's law says that the day you need it, it will not be a sunny calm day!

Coddy

tommy a · #5 08-04-2005, 07:45 AM

We fish out of Exmouth and have a Warrior 165 and have a 4 HP aux - if the main outboard doesnt work you can use this as the tiller / direction still, and use the aux for the power.

I guess it would be slow process but hopefully not required very often.

Just my experience.

Portland Pirate · #6 08-04-2005, 08:45 AM

For those of you with Auxiliary engines I would reccomend that you give them a 10 minute run preferably under strain (not just idling) every other time that you go out.

ChrisP · #7 08-04-2005, 10:18 PM

I used to have a Hunter, a 4hp would push it along a 5 Knots WOT.

Steviecops · #8 09-17-2005, 08:15 PM

I used to have an old seagull as an auxillary, until I had to use it one day and found that it didn't have enough power to make headway against the tide! I then got a 10 hp but found it was a bit on the heavy side. I now use a 6 hp which is a good compromise between weight and power.

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