Conversion from trailer-sailer to low power motor boat

Yes, much simpler than the average outboard, much cheaper and parts to even whole engines are available just about everywhere. I can buy a Honda clone of my engine at Home Depot for less than $200.00.

How did you engineer the exhaust on your boat? I’m guessing the Honda engine is set up like mine with a short little exhaust tube. On my last boat I built I used some gas pipe and jb welded it. It work well enough in an open boat but I’d like to make something a little more reliable to deal with the fumes

Go cart sites sell a lot of stuff that fits these engines, I bought an exhaust flange and had a muffler and tubing with a support bracket welded on it by a local muffler shop. It just goes straight up with an angle bend at the top, puts the noise and fumes over my head. I just picked up a 16hp Lifan with an 18 amp charge coil that I'm thinking of using at a lower rpm for less noise and to power electronics and lights.

G4s1198, paddle propulsion is certainly capable of less draft than any outboard, or for that matter any inboard propeller drive. Weed fouling is non-existent with my sidewheeler, and exploring areas where prop driven boats dare not go is one clear advantage. The steamboat crowd that I run around with is often in trouble with weed fouling of props. If you would like I can PM the rules for paddlewheel design.

fredrosse said:

G4s1198, paddle propulsion is certainly capable of less draft than any outboard, or for that matter any inboard propeller drive. Weed fouling is non-existent with my sidewheeler, and exploring areas where prop driven boats dare not go is one clear advantage. The steamboat crowd that I run around with is often in trouble with weed fouling of props. If you would like I can PM the rules for paddlewheel design.

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Fredrosse I just saw your comment. Nice boats by the way! I am a lot farther along in my project since last posting and it is coming along very well! I have the one sidewheel put together and painted and am currently working on the other side.