Outboard Back up

[Lyndy]

I asked this question about an Outboard back for my 24' SkipJack and got a couple good responses. I may have asked the wrong question which I would to get opinions here. Is there someone in this group that has an Outboard on their boat as a backup to their IO? I have pasted below the original post from other forum for reference:

Subject: Limp Home Backup Outboard

I have a 24' SkipJack Flybridge that presently has a 5.0 Chevy Power Plant. Somtime in the future I want to consider buying an OutBoard as a Backup to get me home in the event the Engine and or Sterndrive gives out on me. I have not weighed the boat, but estimates are ranging 4,000 to 4,600 lbs dry, assuming that may be a factor. Along that same line of weight considerations there is a 110 Gallon Gas Tank. Is there a way to figure this out or is it more of an educated guess type of thing, either of which I would love to get some feedback on this idea.

 

[Don S]

Re: Outboard Back up

Up here, about every boat has a kicker on it. Most use it for trolling while fishing, but it's also used as a "Get Home" motor on single engine boats.
Most boats in the 24' size have either a 9.9 or a 15 hp outboard. 4 strokes are the most popular, because they can be plumbed into the boats gas tank.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Outboard Back up

go with a yami 15hp, just because it has power rim/tilt

i have a 9.9 on my 23ft Grady

 

[flashback]

Re: Outboard Back up

Don, what do you feel is the best way to plumb in a 4 stroke kicker, I have some ideas but would like to hear your point on it..d Thanks

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Outboard Back up

On my big boat 32' Ive got the kicker comming off the second fitting on the under deck fuel tank. But It's a 250 gal tank. on my other boats, I've got a alum. 30 gal tank next to the water tank. Its just plumbed up through the transome where i have a door with the fuel fitting to connect to. just depends on how big your existing tank Is. On My cuddy I built a box to go around another 30 gal tank and i set my passenger seat on top of that. works nice. just dont want to run off your main engine tank If It's not very big. Especially If your goin to be doing alot of trolling.

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Outboard Back up

I want to thank all for the great input. Given the going prices on Ebay even for 20+ year OB's from 35HP up and the Jackplate, steering, fueling and all the other neat stuff to get it installed I have been able to decide to go with an Unlimited Towing Package with U.S. Boats for $108 a year. I believe a Sea Anchor is also in my future.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Outboard Back up

That'll work, as long as you never more than 25 nm from their nearest service port...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Outboard Back up

I have a 15Hp 2 stroke 20 inch Johnson on my 21 foot aluminum runabout with a weight of 2800 lb dry.

I have it mounted on 2 20hp lift brackets that I connected together for a very stable platform with 15 inches of lift.

I steer witha EZ Steer connected to the main I/O motor.

Mine works very good until get winds near 30 MPH and Swells around 8 foot. Speed about 5 MPH. With high Winds and Swells if I have to turn up into the the wind and swells it is slow to respond. Luckly other than testing and trolling never used it to get in.

Both Honda and Yamaha now have 20 HP 4 strokes with power tilt. For You even more power may help.

Towing Idea can have some problems. A Sea Anchor will help, and also a good regular anchor with lots of line will keep you off the rocks.

Only problem with Towing service out here is many times I have herd boat call for a TOW and vessel assist will call them back and tell them. I have another vessel I going to get right now and he is 25 miles out. So time to get him in and get to your location is about 9 hours. This might be on a busy week end at 1600. May be different where you are but quite common out of San Francisco.

Personaly if both motor do not start before we head out we fix the problem before going out. We Have a 4 foot Sea anchor but for my boat barely holds the bow into the wind and swells.