Engine
My 16' Microplus was fitted with a 25hp which was probably ideal for estuary use, but I only used it on rivers & canals so it was only ever ticking over.
This made the fuel consumption poor. I thought it important to have reasonable fuel consumption not just from a cost point of view but mainly the inconvienience of having to find
a supply near to the water. A Honda 8hp was for sale locally so I bought that. The consuption has worked out to be about 10mpg but that might be
below what might be expected as the water was weedy & the brake rods were collecting up the weed.
My boat came with a small fuel tank on the lower step, but this was not large enough for a decent two day cruise.
I concidered building a locker under the stern berth but decided to fit a 6 gallon tank on the step by building a bracket
to move the outboard a short way back. The dimensions shown suited my
engine but might need to be different for another engine. I was concerned that shifting the engine
further back might cause a balance problem when towing but a fairly light engine,
moving the fuel tank into the splashwell & generally keeping things light makes the nose weight just
right.
A foot styrup was added to give access without having to carry a step. This is adequate but not easy to use.
There were problems with engine noise so the engine bracket has since been removed & rubber isolation fitted between the bracket & the hull with another layer of rubber tube (heater hose) between the hull & the spreader plate inside. A rubber sleeves isolates the bolts from the hull. Self adhesive sound damping pads from a motor factors have been stuck to the rear of the hull & under the step to stop druming. This has brought the noise down to reasonable levels.
A platform over the fuel tank gives good access to the stern & looks neater. The hole is to see the fuel guage.