Hey up Lads
looking to purchase a small (2.5hp) outboard for fishing on the
lochs. The boats will be mainly 17ft Lomonds so I would have thought 2.5hp
would have been enough to cover any conditions. The lochs would be St Johns and Loch Brora which can kick up a bit sometimes. I,ve had a look at
the Electric motors but these seem expensive for what they are, any advice
welcome.

Steve....

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I WILL KEEP ASKING UNTIL I CAN ANSWER

I dont know these waters you mention , how big are they ??
All i do know is a fish a 4500 acre Lough with a 19 foot sheelin boat with a 5hp on . While this is fine when weather is ok and i dont need to hurry from one end to the other , i have to say i would like more power for when it picks up out there as i feel it is not upto the job when it is "iffy weather" out there.

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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

I would also say that 2.5hp is a bit on the small size for a 17' boat.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

I would too - they are aimed more for use on small tenders.

It take very little power to push a 17' boat. The 2.5 will be fine for going from A to B.
It will also be fine on calm days, and moderate ripple to wave.

BUT when there is a wind exceeding about beaufort force 4 ( = fresh breeze) your speed will decrease going into the wind noticeably, while still being acceptable.
The same breeze from the side will push you off course, causing a need to head partially into the wind, as well as in your desired direction of A to B.
Now your speed to a chosen destination is halved or worse.

So you lose steering in cross winds, and a Bft wind force 5 is probably not do-able with a 2.5hp outboard, a day where a 6 or 8 would be more appropriate for the same 17' boat.

Really, it depends on what conditions you like to fish in.

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource