What size engine should i use

[Peterl]

Last year i bought a Fenn & Wood Meteor, no engine (a 14ft ply based boat. I have now aquired a Watermota sea wolf cross flow 1100cc. As the list of work required on the engine is growing (a full rebuild) I'm wondering if the 1100cc is going to be enough to give the boat the performance i want. As i live close to the thames, i expect most of the time the boat will poodle along at a very sedate pace. However, it would be a shame to do all of the work and then find that the engine doesnt have the power to lift the boat onto the plane. The seawolf is rated at 54ft/lb and 30bhp with a wieght of 127kg. The sea tiger based on the 1600cc engine is rated at 60hp.

Would love to hear what you think.

[bigminiandy]

Hi. Did you have a look at the copies of Fenn and Wood documents I put up in the Archive section of the forum.

They reckoned a 100e engine with 30hp would push the boat to about 28ish mph. A little unrealistic me thinks I guess more like 20mph is more realistic unless the performance alloy head and twin carbs were fitted.

Both my F&Ws have the 1703cc Consul/Zephur 4/Thames van engine which makes about 60hp this realistically pushes the boat to about 30mph. Both of my motors are fitted with TMP gearboxes which are 1:1 in ratio. It's worth noting the Mk1 wasn't originlly offered with the 1703cc engine but was offered as a retro fit after they were sucessful in the MK2 fibreglass version of the boat.

The link below is for the auction of a F&W from a few years ago. The boat in fact didn't meet reserve and didn't sell. As far as I'm aware it still has the same owner who is Mrs Heather Fenn, the daughter of Fenn of F&W. Anyway im rambling on, it has a 1000cc Vedette engine which would just get it on the plane so I'm told.
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/15246/lot/661/

This is my engine. Since the photo I've added a heat exchange/header tank which helps regulate the engine temperature much better. I always found it ran a bit cold previously.



The link to the video is of Campbell being towed by a MK1 but I don't know what engine is in it
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/donal ... y/Campbell

[Peterl]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. Not quite sure if it helped me decide as the original boat has ~36HP and my watermota has 30HP. Your later version has ~60HP! As i will mostlty be on the river smaller engine would probably be good. But i dont fancy seeing doing all the work and regreting not having those extra cc's.

Ive attached a picture of the gearbox which came with the boat (minus the engine!)

I now have a watermota J-type gearbox which is 2:1 and was not sure if i will be able to use this (possibly reducing the ratio to 1:1 by changing the final drive sprocket.

Best wishes

[bigminiandy]

It's a real difficult one to answer. Ours have been retired to rivers like the Thames, Severn and the Soar so ultimately very rarely go above tick over. I must admit that when no body is looking I always flatten out the throttle for 30 seconds or so just to prove she can still do it.

Could always do what we did, have the F&W for the river and have something fibreglass and fast for the sea/estuary

[Peterl]

Are yes i do have another boat now as well! I purchased a Taifun Spiboot in the summer with is a 16ft aluminium launch with a 40hp evinrude. That also needs some work (probably end up with a new engine too) but i think it is probably better suited to prolonged high speed stuff. Know what you mean about the odd flat out burst on the river, very tempting.

I'm off to see specialised engines on Saturday and they have offered an upgrade to 1600cc (at a price) as part of my engine build Though even once i get the engine back i will still need to wait for Sheridan Marine to get some new water colled manifolds made up. They expect to do this later in the year. Assuming this all goes well, then its back to working on the boat itself. It doesnt seem entirely unfeasible that it could be on the water in spring/summer. I wonder how many times thats been said.

[bigminiandy]

It doesnt seem entirely unfeasible that it could be on the water in spring/summer. I wonder how many times thats been said.

Been said lots of times. My MK2 was supposed to be done by now. I reckon it'll actually be this time next year
Wish you luck though. You should start are topic on the restorations section of the forum. I for one would be very keen to see it's progression.

Taifun Spiboots are nice boats, like an inboard outboard if you see what I mean. Our alternative is a Delta V6, starts first time every time which is more than can be said for the F&W plus is easy to maintain GRP.

Are you a member of the CMBA or just a forum user? If you aren't a member you should seriously consider joining and then bring your boats along to the rallys. Thames run is usually in May which would suit the F&W. Gives you a date to aim to have every thing done for? You have two quite rare boats, you should show them off.

[bigminiandy]

A little inspiration for you. This is mine at the River Soar showing off earlier in the year (June) before the coil over heated and then wouldn't run about half an hour.



Photo provided by Alacrity

[Peterl]

Hi, I have now sent the engine off to be reconditioned. I always seem to get things in the wrong order though as i have now surmised that the Watermota Gearbox is going to be too big/wrong shape! So i will have to look for another solution. My progress at the moment seems to be one step forwards two sideways. I lifted the cover off of the boat for the first time in ages today, glad to see its all still dry.

The engine should be back in two weeks or so and when i get it back i still have to find a water cooled manifold and resolve the issue with the gearbox. The watermota J-series has needs quite a bit more height than i have. I think i will post a link on the other gearbox i have to see if anyone can id it. (and then try and find a bell housing to suit.

I am a CMBA member, and enjoy the magazine, but between all of my other activities (family, work, cycling, rowing hobbies) i haven't been able to make it along to a meet yet.

best wishes

[bigminiandy]

My engine compartment has been enlarged to cope with the larger motor and gearbox.

The rear of mine slopes from the top of the cockpit edge down to the seat base. Not a great picture put you'll get the idea as to what I mean. Most F&W have a vertical rear engine bay cover. Mine does have less room in the back than others but it is still usable

[bigminiandy]

Forgot to ask. What engine size are you going for?