Thinking of adding outboard

[A770]

Hello to All,

Just got a Sea Ray 340 sedan bridge 1983.
One of the engines seems ok, hoping will work with new starter, other engine took water not sure how much damage yet..
Any ideas for adding an outboard in case one or none of the inboard works?
What would be the minimum HP for an outboard to navigate canals and bay? If one of the inboard works should the outboard position in the center or towards the other side to compensate?
Could the outboard be hooked to the existing swimming platform?

Thanks in advance for your advise!

 

[blaster]

Considering the size kicker you would need to be effective it would be less expensive to get a new long block and have two proper inboards. How would you be able to steer an outboard large enough to effectively move this boat? You would need at least 90 HP to even move the boat around at displacement speeds.

 

[Espos4]

Arminius? Is that you?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can you further explain what your goal is? It's unclear if you're just looking for a "kicker" (should both engines fail) or if you are looking to replace a main engine with an outboard. These are two totally different scenarios.

 

[A770]

Considering the size kicker you would need to be effective it would be less expensive to get a new long block and have two proper inboards. How would you be able to steer an outboard large enough to effectively move this boat? You would need at least 90 HP to even move the boat around at displacement speeds.

 

[A770]

Thank you so much for your response.

 

[A770]

Can you further explain what your goal is? It's unclear if you're just looking for a "kicker" (should both engines fail) or if you are looking to replace a main engine with an outboard. These are two totally different scenarios.

 

[A770]

The initial goal is to navigate in the canals and the bay.
I bought the boat "as is" one of the engines ( seems newer) needs new starter and the other is full of water.
My concern is to fall into a money pit trying to repair the existing engines. The one that needs new starter the mechanic said it "might" work, the other as mentioned is full of water.
Would a "kicker" would be enough to navigate in the canals and the bay?
Would a kicker be able to replace one of the engines for the purpose above?
Would 2 kickers make sense if both engines needs extensive repairs?
Could one or two kickers be placed on the swimming platform?
If the above would make sense, what size kicker/s would recommend?

Thanks again for your response

 

[Lazy Daze]

A kicker - maybe a 20HP or 30HP would move you along... but fighting a current or a strong cross (or head) wind could be tough. I don't know what "canal" or "bay" you're referring to - you'd have a better idea of the conditions than me.

I don't know what your platform looks like or how strong it is. Even without knowing anything about your platform, going much bigger than 20 or 30 might not be a good idea. To go bigger, you'd probably want to remove the platform and install a bracket to the transom (which would include a large backer on the inside).

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Yank the engines, repair the hull and add an Armstrong bracket. Then get some real outboards that'll actually work.

 

[A770]

Thank you for your quick response.
If only one of the engines works, could I navigate with it? Steering would be more difficult or "impossible"?
Could I use one engine and a kicker at the simultaneously? Should I place the kicker towards the other side (not centered) to compensate?

 

[A770]

Yank the engines, repair the hull and add an Armstrong bracket. Then get some real outboards that'll actually work.

Thank you for the reply, my concern with that is to spend more than a newer boat would cost..

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thank you for your quick response.
If only one of the engines works, could I navigate with it? Steering would be more difficult or "impossible"?
Could I use one engine and a kicker at the simultaneously? Should I place the kicker towards the other side (not centered) to compensate?

Yes, you can navigate with just one engine just fine. Depending on your setup (which engine has the working power steering pump), you may lose power steering - but that won't be a big deal at slower speeds. Both engines may have physically have a pump, but typically only one is actually being used. If the hoses were long enough, you "could" swap over.

No, trying to use the kicker and a main engine would be futile.

 

[Pirate Lady]

My concern is to fall into a money pit trying to repair the existing engines. The one that needs new starter the mechanic said it "might" work, the other as mentioned is full of water.
Would a "kicker" would be enough to navigate in the canals and the bay?

I’m sorry but somebody needs a reality check.
You got a boat and dont want it to be a money pit? You got into the wrong hobby.
Slapping an outboard on swim platform as a method to get home ain’t never gonna fly.
Get tow insurance thru BoatUS or seatow. Cheaper than all the modifications you are thinking of. Fix the boat before you head out.
If you cant trust your boat and need a plan to get you home that involves what you are thinking, you are going about it all wrong.
I understand nobody likes to piss away money and everyone has dreams of floating with a cool drink in hand. Your plan aint it.

 

[Skybolt]

Thank you for your quick response.
If only one of the engines works, could I navigate with it? Steering would be more difficult or "impossible"?
Could I use one engine and a kicker at the simultaneously? Should I place the kicker towards the other side (not centered) to compensate?

Your boat is a twin engine setup, also a quite heavy one for what it is. There is no way you could use outboards with this boat, unless you spend more then what the boat is worth. The Armstrong bracket mentioned above and mounting it would be more then the boat is worth by itself let alone two outboards that are powerful enough to push your boat along. Your big block merc's are 350hp each so you would need to match that to some extent to be able to move the boat along.

And as mentioned even if you could mount an outboard and use an inboard at the same time, it would be a disaster.

 

[A770]

I’m sorry but somebody needs a reality check.
You got a boat and dont want it to be a money pit? You got into the wrong hobby.
Slapping an outboard on swim platform as a method to get home ain’t never gonna fly.
Get tow insurance thru BoatUS or seatow. Cheaper than all the modifications you are thinking of. Fix the boat before you head out.
If you cant trust your boat and need a plan to get you home that involves what you are thinking, you are going about it all wrong.
I understand nobody likes to piss away money and everyone has dreams of floating with a cool drink in hand. Your plan aint it.

 

[A770]

Thank you for your comment.
I get it, boating=$.
Just trying to find cost effective solution for the intended use of the boat, again navigating on canals and bay within 30 minutes radius.

 

[A770]

Your boat is a twin engine setup, also a quite heavy one for what it is. There is no way you could use outboards with this boat, unless you spend more then what the boat is worth. The Armstrong bracket mentioned above and mounting it would be more then the boat is worth by itself let alone two outboards that are powerful enough to push your boat along. Your big block merc's are 350hp each so you would need to match that to some extent to be able to move the boat along.

And as mentioned even if you could mount an outboard and use an inboard at the same time, it would be a disaster.

 

[A770]

Thank you for your response.
I was hoping slapping a 20/30hp would be enough to get around the canals and bay within 30 minutes radius.

 

[A770]

Yes, you can navigate with just one engine just fine. Depending on your setup (which engine has the working power steering pump), you may lose power steering - but that won't be a big deal at slower speeds. Both engines may have physically have a pump, but typically only one is actually being used. If the hoses were long enough, you "could" swap over.

No, trying to use the kicker and a main engine would be futile.

UPDATE:
Just found out engines had been flooded from rain water.
They were working fine until then.
Any hopes and/or special recommendations to fix them?