I have a 43' houseboat with no engine about 12000 pounds. How big horsepower of an engine should I get?
To Inboard or Outboard that is the QuestionCumberland Cruiser 50x11, with a Evinrude 135hp Cumberland Custom 12x52, with a Johnson 125 OutboardGibson 36' 270 NP Twin V-6 Cruisers (Inboard)Hope This Helps-------------------------------------Without knowing the hull shape (and therefore hull speed), no one can answer this question. A barge hull has very different power requirements from a V or pontoon hull. A smaller but important question you need to answer is how much you want to derate your power (reliability, range) at cruise speed. Knowing the waterline length of your boat is far more helpful in this regard than its overall length.----------------------------------------------Well, how big of a "horsepower engine should I get" is a good question.I have owned a 43ft houseboat, and of similar weight, so there is no simple answer, but to start,:1) What did it have before? The easiest alternative is to replace what was in there before.2) You have two choices, do you want to put a small motor and cruise at "hull speed" (@ 5-7 knots), or do you want to "get up" and plane.3) If you want to get up and plane, you may not be able to plane with one V8, but twin V6's should do it, and twin v8's should definitely give you the "get up and go".Either way, I love houseboats, their "simply the BEST".If you like more information, please feel free to visit my houseboat website at http://www.all-about-houseboats.comHope this helps, and good luck with your project...Sincerely, IAN.
