question from a complete newbie about engine power

[georgewright]

hi all
i am completely new to boats tho always fancied getting 1,now i have
a shetland 535 that came with an evinrude 18 horsepower outboard and an electric outboard back up
the boat is for days trolling with 3 -4 guys on loch earn
prob fish for about 4 hr , beach boat ,set up tents and camp round fire with game of cards and good whisky at night
heaven on earth!
thats the plan anyway
what i want to ask is ,this 2 stroke evenrude 18 looks really quite old
how do i find out the correct mixture for the engine?
is it strong enough for fishing on loch earn?
how much fuel should i take for 4 hr fishing?
and is the elctric enough to get back to shore if main packed in? bearing in mind we will usually only be roughly 50m from the banks of loch tho could be longer to a suitable beaching point or slipway
hope to get first outing end april once re wire the circuits and do couple wee jobs ie hitch loch and clamps for trailer etc
also ,what is a tilt switch? the guy who sold me the boat just showed me to pull out pin holding out board up and lower till upright
like i say i have not got a scooby doo
thanks
george

[georgewright]

oops i think i put this on the wrong forum

[davidemania]

I try to answer a few of your questions but bear in mind I am no expert at all, even less when talking about cruising on lakes.

The mixture should be 50:1, that's quite standard, but if you know the engine model it will be easy to find out. For the fuel do you think about fishing with the engine on, may be cruising at slow speed? I wouldn't expect less than 5 lt/hour with a 2 stroke.

If I were you I'd sell the electric motor. You could use it if as you say you are just 50m from the shore, but at that distance you could as well paddle or throw your anchor and pull the boat tugging the rope.

May be if your evinrude is very old a good option could be changing both it and the electric for a newer 4 strokes.

Let's wait for some advice!

Davide

[georgewright]

re - using ancher to pull boat
i wondered what i might do if both engines failed.
that is most definately an option
think i will get some advice about engine
thanks
george

[alandvs]

I have an 18 horse evinrude also very old, early 70s..don't use it at the moment as its short shaft it took 50/1 fuel mix. I too thought about an electric motor but was advised to steer clear of them. hope this helps....Alan
Sorry but I tried to send you an image of engines and fuels from my old manual but it just came up with extesion bmp is not allowed.

[daveinglasgow]

Hi

18hp will be fine just make sue its serviced and checked over.

as others have said electrics are great for small owing boats on v v small lochs and even then I would prefer a petrol engine. Please do not risk your life on this.

Bad news

As your engine is old and your electric is no good you need a small back up engine and where you are with your boat a 2.3-3.5 will do.

Good News

You have lots of options on getting a back up engine and if you can meet me at st Mirrens ground a week on sunday ( 5th of May) from 10-2 as it is the boat jumble and I can help with all you questions.

if you can not make it call me on 0759 563 8185

Dave