Sunday, Jul 20, 2008 at 11:17
Rick and Julie, you already have some great info and advice here.
I used to run a 3.5m Stacer with a 15HP Mercury 2 stroke (similar set up to the one you have been offered). This is a great set up, but we moved up to a Quintrex 3.75 with 20 HP 2 stroke Yamaha.
Reason for the change is we spend a lot of time in the boat and cover a lot of
miles in it. Similar to Bill and Di - in fact, we are at King Ash Bay at the moment. We wanted a bit more size and speed for the
miles and the load we carry.
We like the current set up. Because of the deep V, it is great on the plane and in a bit of chop, but can be a little unstable at rest if you run around in it. But we have no trouble and find it a great boat. It is probably the most common boat we see as a roof topper in the far north.
I'm currently looking to a possible further change. I'd like a 4 stroke, mainly for the reduced fuel consumption. We regularly use 20 litres in a day of fishing, and at $2.10 a litre (probably more next year), it is getting a bit expensive to fish.
In looking at 4 strokes on the net, I came across a press release from BRP (who make Evinrude outboards in US). They are about to release the e-Tec motor in the 25 HP and 30 HP sizes. e-Tec is a direct injected 2 stroke. They have been available in the larger motors for several years, but they are just now getting to the smaller ones.
Claimed benefits include:
retain the high torque of a 2 stroke
low emissions - at least as good as a 4 stroke and comply with California standards
Fuel economy similar to a 4 stroke (BRP claim 15% better)
300 hours or 3 years between service
Much lighter than a 4 stroke in most sizes. For example a Suzuki 4 stroke 30 HP weighs around 98 KG. 30 HP e-tec is supposed to weigh 64 KG
Because it is a 2 stroke, it can be carried on side or back without draining engine oil.
Similar noise levels to 4 stroke.
I'm fiddling with the idea of running a 30 HP e-tec on a 3.95 Quintrex Dart. But just fiddling at the moment.
A key factor in your decisions is weight. I thought most 4WD wagons had a roof load of around 100KG (but happy to be corrected). You have to count the weight of the racks and everything you might carry under the boat (in my case lots). Then the boat weight can be significant, for example:
3.75 Dart 86 KG
3.95 Dart 95 KG
3.85 Explorer 101 KG
As long as you get a boat that will handle the conditions you will use it in (too many people make the error of using flat bottom boats in large estuaries), I think you will be happy and you should have lots of fun with it.
Good luck.
Norm C
AnswerID:
316139
Follow Up By: Bill n Di - Sunday, Jul 20, 2008 at 14:05
Sunday, Jul 20, 2008 at 14:05
Hi Norm,
Are you catching any fish? Had friends there recently but said river too cold yet - heard too
Karumba no better.
Funny how we always think the ocean is rough, but it can get quite uncomfortable in the River at King ASh Bay.
Our 4 stroke Honda is extremely economical to run - when we first bought it Bill bought an extra
tank as he thought the
tank provided was too small - we have never used a
tank in a trip yet and at King Ash we could leave at 7am go out to the mouth - over 30ks fish all day up and down the creeks and then go home and never used more than 1/2 - 3/4
tank. We have the power tilt and start which makes it heavy but they aren't something you're picking up all the time and a bit of inguenuity solves most problems.
I think this is a great way to go - see photos.
Cheers
Di
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FollowupID:
582457
Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:34
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 15:34
G'day Di,
The Barra had been a bit quiet for a few weeks with the cooler weather. But in the last week or two, a few have been caught.
I got one at 81 cm this morning. Before that, we were getting good feeds on Golden Snapper, Salmon and other species, along with plenty of crabs and the occasional feed of prawns. We've had a great time, but will be heading off towards home in a week.
I like your outboard motor loader. I plan on making my own fold up jib / crane. It will slide into a receiver under the tray of the LC Ute (which should be ready for delivery when we get home from this trip). I should be able to lift anything heavy with it - outboard, fridges etc. It is only this jib that gives me the confidence to look at a motor that weighs up to 64KG. Like yours ( I assume), I plan on being able to move the motor from the vehicle to the transom and back with no manual lifting.
Norm C
FollowupID:
582617
Follow Up By: Bill n Di - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 18:08
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 18:08
Norm,
If you want to email me privately I can give you some more photos, and Bill can explain it all - far better than me. It just uses the loader as the winch.
Di
FollowupID:
582632