Engine suggestion

[dthorton]

I am looking to purchase an engine for my boat this week.I am going to purshase a Yamaha 50 hp 4 stroke but the salesman I am talking to suggested a T50 or high thrust engine for my boat,as I understand this engine was designed to go on a pontoon boat or sail boat,Are any of you guys familiar with this engine? This engine is going on the Glen L little hunk. Thanks.

[John Bell]

The difference between the F50 and the T50 is that the T50 has a lower gear ratio in the lower unit and it swings a larger diameter prop. You won't go as fast with the T50, but you'll have more low speed oomph. The T50 will probably troll slower, too. I'll be curious what others have to say about this, but my opinion is that it probably isn't necessary. The Little Hunk ought to get out of the hole easily and plane on very little power. It's not like a 'toon or a displacement boat that would beneifit from the higher thrust of the geared down motor.

Why does the salesman recommend it?

[dthorton]

I am not sure why he suggested this engine maybe he just wants to make a sale.

[John Bell]

Originally posted by dthorton:
I am not sure why he suggested this engine maybe he just wants to make a sale.I'd make him support his recommendation with some data or experience before I purchased, then. If he's got a T50 in stock that he's willing to cut a significant deal to get it off his inventory, that may be reason enough! ;)

Seriously, I don't think you'll go wrong with either motor. However, if one is clearly a better choice you should be informed of any trade-offs. A good salesman can help you through that process.

[brad9798]

To me, 50hp of anything is underpowered on that model ... I'd go 75hp at least ... she'll handle it just fine.

Think of that thrust model as a higher geared rear-end in a car ... faster off the line, but no top-end.

Even still, 50hp is too, too small, IMHO!

Good luck,

Brad

[Stiletto]

Lower geared rear end gets you off the line faster. Otherwise a good analogy.

[brad9798]

...That's what I meant ... redface.gif

[Bill Childs]

50hp too small? I don't think so. The Little Hunk ought to be real happy with that mill - easy planing boats those dories.
Easy for someone to recommend bigger hp when they aren't paying for the engine or the additional gas down the road.

[brad9798]

I guess it depends ... depends on your perspective.

My recommendation had nothing to do with price/gas- which, BTW, gas would not be an issue at all when going from 50 to say 70 hp ... and even up to 90hp.

And, as I always do, I'd let someone else take the depreciation on the engine ... buy one that is a year or two old. I have the same philosophy with cars- why pay 45 grand when you can get the same car with 18,000 miles on it a year later for 28? Anyway, I digress ...

To address it, Bill, YES 50hp would be okay, I guess. I've seen that exact boat with up to 115hp too. And a small V6 is all a pickup truck needs too, but I sure like the bigger torque/hp engines in that application too.

Anyway, not my money, but I was asked for input, so I gave.

Take care,

Brad

[N. Scheuer]

We have a 10-hp HT Yamaha on our 28-ft Shearwater Yawl. There is no other worthwhile engine in my opinion. We love its performance so much we call it the YAMMERHAMMER.

Lots of people believe the 10-hp Honda 4-stroke to be the equal of the Yamaha-HT, untill they see one in action. The 11-1/2" dia prop cannot be beat in that power range for a sailboat.

Unless your application will move at "runnabout/water skiing" speed, that salesman may be offering good advice.

Our Shearwater can steam faster than she can sail.

Moby Nick

[John Bell]

I'm going to disagree with Brad on this one. I think 50 HP is plenty of power on flattie like yours. I used to have a lighter 18' flattie that made 22 mph with 15 horses. How fast do you want to go? And more importantly, did you build it to go that fast!

[dthorton]

I built this boat for family fishing only,I just want enough speed to get off of the water quickly if I need too.thanks..

[Bill Childs]

115 hp on an 18' dory? That simply belongs in the super-silly category right along with the size ob's we are seeing from most of the new production boat manufacturers - which are having hp wars with each other.

Just because we see certain things doesn't mean that it is a good idea or that it makes sense. I don't know for sure but I would venture that the weight difference between a 50 and a 115 hp ob is about 75 lbs. May not seem like a lot to some but in the stern of a boat that's unwelcome weight. It's a vicious cycle having extra weight back there - It makes a stern swamping more likely you need more hp to get on plane.

Not meaning to attack anyone here. Just forever defending the judicious and reasonable use of hp in easily driven boats.

Bill

[brad9798]

YES- 115 horse is WAY excessive, I didn't mean to imply that I thought that was sensible.

Anyway, I'd still do 65 or 70 horse just because ...

Mainly because on my 15 hobie power skiff, I have a 65 horse ... and when pulling kids on a tube, etc. it is definitely underpowered ...

Long story short, for most non-nutty tube pulling use, the 50 horse is plenty.

THERE! I'm in agreement.

Brad

p.s. I'd still buy the year or two old model!!!!!

[John Bell]

Brad: What's the Hobie skiff weigh? What shape is the bottom?

[High C]

Weight is an important factor when choosing a motor for a planing hull. I'm not familiar with the boat in question, so won't comment on that. But if she's intended to carry more than 3 or 4 people, 50 HP might not be enough. You might end up with a rig that you'd have to run wide open to stay on plane when she's fully loaded. Not good for either fuel consumption, or the life of the motor.

Don't just consider the boat, consider the intended load, too.

[ 01-25-2005, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: High C ]

[JimD]

Have you asked Glen-L about power? There is no maximum listed, only a minimum 25 hp.

Length overall (standard) 18'-3"
Length overall (inboard) 17'-6"
Beam 7'-6"
Hull weight (approx.) 700 lbs.
Hull depth forward 3'-11"
Hull depth aft 2'-6"
Bottom width 4'-6"
Minimum recommended power 25 hp
Maximum engine/drive weight 500 lbs.
Power: Single well-mounted or transom mounted outboard standard. Short shaft motors not recommended. Inboard driving through outdrive or jet pump optional.
Hull type: Flat bottom dory-type hull aft. Developed for sheet plywood planking with outer rub strakes.
Can the hull be extended or shortened? Yes. Up to 3' by re-spacing the frames from the aft end of the stem to the transom a proportional amount, or by adding an additional frame. We do not recommend increasing the beam.
Trailer: Designed for use with Glen-L Series 1700 boat trailer plans.


The LITTLE HUNK is the smallest of our powered fishing dories; commonly called Pacific dories. It can be launched directly into the surf by virtue of its raised bow and broad flaring topsides. Like our other power dories and dories in general, LITTLE HUNK has tremendous load carrying ability while the flat bottom assures a stable boat when loaded. The wide open hull allows unrestricted movement and is readily adapted to a variety of uses. Cabins and center consoles, fish holds, bait tanks, or other accessories can easily be added.

The shallow draft and stable flat bottom makes an ideal dive or fishing boat that can get into places that deep vees and other hulls cannot. The well-mounted outboard makes beach launching and retrieving easy and safe, while keeping the motor entirely within the boat when "kicked up". The well-mounted outboard also allows for working nets, setting lobster pots, or handling fish without worrying about tangling the lines around a transom mounted outboard. For those with other applications, the plans detail an optional transom-mounted outboard as well as stern-mounted inboard engines driving through an outdrive or jet pump. The hull drives easily with minimum power and maximum economy.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid155/pba5e4970a49932ea1d95c9d28f4ca2cf/f5563b0f.jpg

[brad9798]

Honestly John, I don't know what she weighs ... she's got a modified-v.

I know, I know, I SHOULD know what she weighs, but she is just my beach boat that doesn't get tended to, other than mechanically, like the Chris Craft.

High C- good point. With four folks and appropriate gear in the hobie, true planing can be a chore even with my 65 horses ...

Brad