We are considering a 90hp outboard on our River Queen rather than replacing the 318's, as they are froze up due to lack of use. We would like feedback on this proposition, many of the boaters we know think it is a good idea.

There has been much discussion about this very topic. I think it is a terrible idea. Do you have inboards or outdrives with those chryslers? The chryslers have much more torque. They also make the boat much more maneuverable. If you went to outboards I suggest a 4 stroke and some form of "big foot" option. Of course with outboards that boat would never plane. My guess is it would be cheaper to put in two rebuilt or used 318s than to convert to outboards plus the purchase price of the motors.

Go for it. However: know that you will have a 6/7 mph wandering bear.

Don't throw any of the present machinery away. You may want to reconditionit and put it back.

Your going to do it no matter what we say so document it with pictures and report back performance when your done.

I have owned two outboard powered houseboats - a 1976 steel hulled 12x52 Summerset and my current 1990 14x72 aluminum Jamestowner. Both of these are barge bottomed lake boats with a single outboard. Both on landlocked lakes - no current to worry about. I don't really have a problem unless the wind is blowing greater than 10 -15 miles per hour. BUT - I am used to it and I have a great set up with my slip - the boats around me are shorter than the finger docks. Even with all of that, docking is an exercise with a relatively high pucker factor. My wife and son drive it down the lake - no problem, but no one else will attempt to dock it.

If you are going to do it, I would choose the outboard _base_d on how big a diameter prop it can take - the bigger the better.

i put a 50 johnson on my 30 ft. Drift R Cruz..... We take it out all the time... i have pix if anyone is interested

A house boat with a puny outboard would be a hazard on the Chesapeake bay. A simple trip to fairlee creek would be out of the question. Here is a satellite view. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22170+Great+Oak+Landing+Road,+ Chestertown,+MD+21620&spn=0.023895,0.039343&t=k& hl=en

Moving from west to east you follow the coast, turn hard starboard into a 30 ft wide channel and hard port into the marina. The water is moving very fast through that channel, you don't know which way unless you know the tide schedule. Then of course it can be rough coming back. http://www.chesapeakelife.net/video/rough.wmv

So don't even consider this unless it is a lake boat with very little wind and current. My burns with twin Vdrives handles well, just like a tank I have NEVER hit anything whiile docking despite some days with 30+mph winds.

You need to provide a bit more information for sound advice; eg: how many drives are you replacing (it sounds like two); how old is your boat; where will you be using it; do you plan to cruise for extended periods or just putter to and from the marina; will you be doing the work yourself or hiring someone.

Last spring, I installed a single 60hp 2-stroke Bigfoot on the Skipper's 40ft '69 Stardust Cruiser. The PO had removed a Mercury stern drive and sealed the transom; we bought it sans propulsion. After some research, I picked up the Bigfoot for a good price. A friend and I manhandled it on the the mounting plate. I used the existing steering, throttle, and shift cables, and cobbled together a combination of the old Merc Alpha controls with some Mercury outboard electrical cable. I had done extensive work on Alphas and Bravos (Yes, I hate them and they hate me), so matching up the wiring was only tedious, not maddening.

We ran it up and down the Appomattox River last summer and fall, just puttering to and from the Marina. This spring we hope to go a little farther afield. It will top out at 12mph, but cruises (2/3 throttle) about 6-8, depending on the current. Fuel use is MUCH better than on my old 20 foot Celebrity cruiser, and it's nice to be able to admire the scenery. Docking was a bear the first few times, and the Skipper still can't do it, but we're in a sheltered cove, so dodging the bass boats is my biggest hazard. I'm working on some trolling motor bow and stern thrusters (please don't start that FLAME!) with mixed success. Once they are honed in, docking should be a breeze.

What I would do different, if I could: a) I would go with two drives, both of the larger Bigfoot variety; I'm convinced they have the pushing power and the fuel economy required for this job. Of course, that would require double the cabling. b) I'd extend the motor mount further from the transom; from trial and error on other boats, an extension of 24" seems to improve the operating efficiency of the motor's performance.

What I can't do: a) operate in unprotected waters. This boat will never be out on the Chesapeake while I'm aboard; there are places on the lower James that I'd be nervous on. b) go real fast. But then, who wants to? Virginia wildlife is fascinating. Besides, it's faster than my sailboat.

I can't offer any advice on replacing the 318's, but as a RQ owner, I'd love to hear more about your boat and pictures would be great too!

Please contact me at:

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as I would love to have as many RQ owners close by as possible!

Thanks,

Ed