SHETLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Hi ,I have just bought a 17ft microplus 502 as a project boat,and was just wondering what size outboard would be good on it,2 stroke or 4 stroke,would be 2-3 people on board,think it weighs around the 380kg ,have a offer of a 40hp 2 stroke ,wondered if this is big enough ,any info would be appreciated.

Hi prior to my present boat I had a Microplus 501 which had a 25Hp Tohatsu 4 stroke. I used it for a few fishing trips off of north Kent coast with my son and nephew, none of us could be considered anything but heavyweights and in calm water we got about 8knots out of it at full revs which was good enough for us.
I later moored it on the non tidal Medway - speed limit 6knots and had 6 adults squeezed on to it for a day trip which it handled ok.
Depending on what you want to use the boat for I would think that a 40hp would be ok.

Hi ,would be using the boat for cruising up tidal river,and fishing trips out to see,have seen some microplus 502 with 40hp on youtube videos and they seem to move quite quick over the water,but got to get boat fixed up before i worry about engine,keep me busy a few weekends, thanks for info ,much appreciated

Hi,

The 40hp 2 stroke will get you up to about 18-20mph, with two adults on board. You will get about 1 - 1.2miles per litre from it at full revs and about 1.7mpl at tick over or 4-5mph.
A four stroke will get you about 1.8mpl at full revs, but the initial purchase price will be higher. If you intend to use the boat often for long trips, then a four stroke will pay for itself quite quickly. If you go for a four stroke, go for a fifty hp, as four strokes don't have the initial acceleration of two strokes.

Hope this helps,

Chris

Hi,thanks for the info much appreciated, think I'm gonna go for a fifty hp or 60hp as better to have power there if needed I think,4 stroke sounds the way forward,thanks again for advice.