engin size

[chuck berry]

What size outboard would I require to power a 40 ft /10ft steel hulled flat bottomed barge for use on inland waterways only. A 4 stroke 20 hp yamaha has been recomended by the builder but I feel this is under-powered max speed on inland water ways is 4 kts the boat fully ladfen will way around 9 ton with a draught about 14 to 18 inches.<br /><br />thx<br /><br />CB

 

[DJ]

Re: engin size

chuck,<br /><br />I think you are kidding yourself with a 20 hp. I do not know where you are going to use this thing, but a 4 knot headway will not overcome most river currents.<br /><br />I would put the biggest engine on it that the engine mounting will handle. I would also go for a commercial model that has a larger gearcase and can turn the biggest (diameter) prop that will fit.

 

[chuck berry]

Re: engin size

thanks I,ll start looking for a bigger motor

 

[JB]

Re: engin size

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=009035

 

[noshelter]

Re: engin size

i am peed myself when i read that you were thinking of a 20hp, for 40ft of boat?!!! i'd be thinking something over 60hp, preferably 100 or more

 

[roscoe]

Re: engin size

A friend of mine has an approx 18' x 34' barge. He pushes it around with a 20' work boat, equipped with a diesel inboard of 42 hp, and a BIG prop.<br /><br />Barge has a crane/boom used to lift 1000# moorings in Lake Michigan, and also some stranded/sunk boat recovery. The crane is powered by a similar, but smaller engine.