Boat motors

Choosing a motor for a boat is not as easy as it seems at first glance; among the wide variety of products presented, it is quite difficult to choose the most suitable model. Boat motors have many varieties, the necessary characteristics will help to figure this out. In order for the chosen model to ideally fit the watercraft, it is necessary to study the assortment in advance and learn how to weed out unnecessary options. The selection rules are discussed in more detail below.

Types of outboard motors

Going to a lake or reservoir, fishermen often realize that it is the boats that they now lack. And those who have oars in their hands will not be able to swim far, they will have to work a lot for this, but the current and weather conditions can make their own adjustments to the movement of the watercraft.

Installing the motor will help save energy, and most importantly, in a short period of time, the fisherman will be in the right place and will be able to devote more time to his favorite pastime. A trip to the store for a boat motor the first time may not be a successful purchase, retail outlets usually offer a large selection of these products. In order for the purchase to develop immediately, you need to know a few of the most necessary characteristics, starting from which they make a choice.

First of all, you need to decide which motor is suitable for the type. Modern boats allow you to install two types, gasoline and electric, each of which will have its positive and negative sides. In addition, an important element in each of them will be the design that makes the craft move.

Screw

For propellers, movement is carried out by rotating the propeller. This variety is used on all types of water transport, has a simple design and low cost.

This design is especially appreciated at a depth, shallow water is not desirable for it. At very shallow depths, the screw can catch on vegetation, snags, the bottom and simply break.

Turbine

Turbine designs work a little differently, the screw itself is hidden in them. The boat is driven by water being sucked in on one side and pushed out on the other side by a propeller.

This type of motor can be used even at shallow depths, starting from 30 cm. The turbine drive is not afraid of polluted water, it is often put on boats on the beaches, water skiing is carried out only with such a motor design.

Screw dip adjustment

Insufficient propeller immersion will not be able to allow the craft to move normally through the water, even a powerful propeller will crawl like a turtle. If the screw is submerged below normal, this will create an additional load on the motor. To avoid difficulties, electric motors are equipped with adjustment without tilt, while gasoline motors are regulated by tilt relative to the horizontal axis.

Physical parameters

There are indicators that directly affect the choice of a motor for a boat. It is imperative to take them into account, the safety of movement and much more depends on them.

Weight and dimensions

Why these indicators are needed, the beginner will not understand, weight indicators are important for calculating the balance of the craft and its carrying capacity. It should be understood that the weight of a gasoline engine is indicated without taking into account the fuel tank. In addition, the dimensions must be in accordance with the size of the boat.

Electric motors weigh significantly less than gasoline engines.

The weight of the motor depends on the power, the more horses are hidden inside, the heavier the object will be and its dimensions will be more impressive. The mass of motors ranges from 3 to 350 kg, while the weight depends on horsepower as follows:

6 horses weigh up to 20 kg;
8 horses up to 30 kg;
35 horsepower turns into 70 kg.

Transom height

The transom is located at the stern, the engine is installed on it. In order for the installation to be successful and the screw to be located at the desired depth, it is necessary to choose the right motor in accordance with this indicator. The designation of this indicator in the passport for both the boat and the motor is carried out in Latin letters, decoding is required:

S is used to designate a transom in 380-450 mm;
L stands for 500-570 mm;
X corresponds to 600-640 mm height;
U has the maximum possible value, which is 650-680 mm in height.

The anti-cavitation plate of the outboard motor and the bottom of the transom should have a gap of 15-25 mm.

Mounting types

Mounting the motor to the craft is also important, four types are now used:

the hard way will fix the drive on the transom firmly, it will be impossible to turn it;
rotary will allow the motor to move along the vertical axis;
the folding method is characterized by the movement of the motor horizontally;
swing-out allows the motor to move both horizontally and vertically.

The latter type of fastener greatly simplifies the management of the craft.

Motor lift

Some situations on the water require raising the motor; mooring in the shallows without this will be impossible. There are two ways to raise the engine:

manually lifted with a tiller, such a mechanism is on small boats with relatively light engines, heavy and powerful motors cannot be lifted this way;
the electro-hydraulic mechanism will raise the motor at the touch of a button, it is not cheap, so it can most often be found on powerful motors of large boats.

The motor in the raised state during long-term parking will be less susceptible to corrosion, which will prolong its operation.

Internal combustion engines

Most often, internal combustion engines are used for greater power and, accordingly, faster movement on water; they are characterized by the use of liquid fuel. There are many differences between such motors, but there are also common characteristics.

Number of cylinders

Liquid fuel motors work due to the movement of a piston in them. There are two-stroke and four-stroke engines, the device of the first is primitive, they are used to equip small boats for short distances. Four-stroke ones are more powerful, and they differ in size from their younger relatives.

The two-cylinder motor has a simpler design, which makes it easier to work. They are cheaper, but they cannot be used near beaches or in places with below-average ecology.

Four cylinders will be more powerful, but they will also take up more space, most often they are used for trolling.

Working volume

Engine power on gasoline is directly related to the combustion chamber. The larger the working chamber, the more fuel is consumed and the higher the engine power.

Fuel consumption

Engine power directly depends on how much fuel is consumed, the ratio of fuel spent per hour of work will be this indicator. When choosing a motor, you should pay attention to fuel consumption, different models with the same power can consume different amounts.

fuel type

The brand of fuel is important for the normal operation of the engine. Power figures will always be on top if fuel with an octane rating of at least the specified is used. Fuel with a higher rate can be used, this will not affect the operation of the motor.

Type of lubrication system

Without lubrication, the motor will not be able to work for a long time, the more power, the more oil will be required. Lubrication can be done in two ways:

manual is used in the simplest designs, the mixture is prepared by hand, hence the name. Cooking will require maximum attention, the proportions must be strictly observed.
Separate is used in more expensive engine models, oil is poured into its own compartment, and gasoline into its own. Further, during operation, the system itself regulates how much oil needs to be supplied.

The latter option will not allow itself errors, which means that the motor will work for a long time without failures.

Release

Three different methods can be used to start the outboard motor:

the manual method consists in simply twitching the cable, which brings the motor into working condition. This is a cheap and effective way in which additional funds are not needed.
The electric method implies the presence of a starter that is additionally powered by a battery. Such mechanisms are more expensive and occupy a significant place.
The mixed type includes both of the above methods. Usually, a starter is always used, but in case of emergency, a winding cable will be a great helper.

The mixed system is used for boats from 25-45 horsepower.

Electric motor

The performance of a battery-powered motor is measured a little differently, it indicates thrust. This parameter is shown for buyers in kilograms, in order to choose the right motor, you must first study the table with indicators for each type of boat by weight category.

Batteries serve as a power source, each motor is designed for its own voltage. Most often, batteries emit 12 volts, so for a motor with 24-volt absorption, it is necessary to have two such devices connected in series.

The power of the electric motor depends on the maximum current consumed, while in order for the engine to work normally, the maximum battery discharge current must exceed the maximum consumed by the motor by 15% -20%.

Important features

When choosing an engine for a boat, attention is drawn to everything, but is it right? What are the most important indicators and characteristics that will affect the operation of the craft? When choosing an engine, attention is focused on several points. Next, we will look at them in more detail.

Power

This indicator is measured in horsepower, the greater their number, the faster the watercraft can move through the reservoir. A strong motor is also put on heavy ships, the carrying capacity is also important here.

Emergency switch

This function is very important, because if a person gets overboard, the boat remains without control. The emergency switch will help to avoid negative consequences in this scenario. Before entering the water, a kind of bracelet with a special fastening is put on the wrist. When a person sharply pulls the cable, the engine stalls, the boat stops.

Max RPM

The speed of the vessel increases with an increase in the number of revolutions, the maximum number of which is better not to exceed. It should be understood that high performance is achieved by increasing the degree of noise. In most cases, in order to avoid overload, a limiting system is built in, which will not allow overheating.

Number of speeds

Gasoline engines have from 2 to 5 speeds, which are switched through a gearbox. For electric motors, switching is automatic and smoother.

Boat motor cooling

Outboard motors use one of two cooling systems:

air is considered less effective, in this way only motors up to 15 horses can be cooled;
water uses water from a reservoir, its use is complicated in polluted rivers and lakes or in ponds with a lot of vegetation.

Water is more popular, it is more expensive and more efficient.

Transmission

The transmission system measures the speed and controls the direction of the vessel. Three gears are used as standard:

the front moves forward and usually has several speeds;
the back one is used to move the vessel back, cheaper models may not be available at all;
neutral allows the boat to be in place with the engine running.

It is necessary to start the engine with the gear off, otherwise the engine will be overloaded.

Variety of control systems

The control of the vessel is also important; for small and medium boats, a tiller is used. For more powerful ones, remote control systems are used.

There is also a combined type of control, only they are not installed on all types of boats. Before choosing a control, you should first ask if this is possible for your boat.

Remote control systems

Steering includes three types:

mechanical is carried out using cables that are laid along the sides. Turning the steering wheel tightens or loosens the cables, which correct the movement.
Hydraulic is used for boats with a capacity of more than 150 horses. The high cost is the only drawback, otherwise the management is perfect. It is possible to connect an autopilot.
The electrical system is very similar to the mechanical one, only a cable is laid instead of cables. This method can control multiple devices at the same time.

Remote systems are the simplest, they do not require the use of force, and control of the tiller without constant supervision is impossible.