Metal boat Baby 2 For many years, it has been one of the most recognizable symbols of affordable water transport in the post-Soviet space, and this compact duraluminium flat-bottom attracts fishermen and hunters with its indestructibility and simplicity of construction, but often involves the use of oars, which limits the range of walks and speed of movement on the body of water.

That is why the installation issue outboard And this is a key thing for many of the owners of this model, and if you have a power plant that's right, you can turn a slow-moving flat-bottle into a nimble, practical boat that can plane with one or two passengers. turret The boat often requires modification or reinforcement to withstand the vibration and thrust of the engine.

In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of motorization in detail. Baby 2You will learn what power to choose the engine, how to calculate the load capacity and what technical solutions will avoid dangerous situations on the water. modernization This will extend the life of the boat and ensure your safety while fishing.

Technical specifications and load capacity

Before buying an engine, you need to soberly assess the capabilities of the body itself. Baby 2 It's a classic flat-bottom, about 3 meters long and just over 1.3 meters wide, and it's made of duraluminium alloys, which makes it lightweight, but requires careful handling when hitting rocks, and the weight of an empty boat is about 60 to 70 kg, which is already a significant parameter in calculations.

The passenger capacity of the boat is usually limited to 200-250 kg, which includes the weight of the crew, equipment, fuel and the engine itself. two-stroke Weighing 20 kg, there will be less passenger and cargo, and exceeding the permissible draught will lead to flooding and reduced stability.

The bottom is not designed for high speeds on a high wavelength, but is ideal for shallow water and overgrown bodies of water. When you install a heavy motor on a transom, the center of gravity shifts, which may require redistribution of the load inside the cockpit.

⚠️ Attention: Exceeding the maximum load capacity on flat-bottoms Baby 2 It's a critically low buoyancy, and when water gets through the side, it sinks almost instantly, leaving no time for reaction.

For an accurate understanding of the limitations, we will consider the main parameters in the table:

Parameter Meaning Note
Length overall 2.95 - 3.0 m Depends on the year of issue.
Body width 1.32 m m m m m m Maximum width
Load capacity 200 - 250 kg Including engine and crew
Passenger capacity 2 people. Comfortable for two.
Motor power (river) 2 - 5 hp. Optimal for planing

Choosing the optimal motor power

Selection of engine Baby 2 It's always about finding a compromise between speed, weight and efficiency, and the manufacturer often didn't specify the maximum power in the documentation, but the experience has made it clear that the most popular solution is 2 to 5 horsepower.

Power engines 2 hp (for example, Tohatsu M2B2 It's a very safe, one-man, low-load plane, and it's a great option for quiet fishing, where you don't need high speed, but you need low weight and economy, and it weighs about 10 kg, which is critical for a small boat.

If you want to transport two adults or a trophy catch, you should consider engines power 3.5 - 5 hpThey provide a confident getting on plane even when fully loaded, but when you install a motor with a power of more than 5 hp, there is a risk of damage to the transom and loss of stability in cornering.

📊 What engine are you planning to put on Little 2?
2 hp (economy)
3.5 hp (gold mean)
5 hp (maximum)
I'm already worth 8+bhp.
Just the oars so far.

Two-stroke models are easier and easier to maintain, but require a mixture of gasoline and oil. Four-stroke engines are heavier, quieter and more economical, but they can be overweight for the engine. Baby 2.

Transcension reinforcement and motor installation

The standard transom in many instances Baby 2 This is a removable board or a weak structure, not designed for the thrust of the engine. Before installing the engine, you must conduct an audit of the aft board. If the transom is removable, it (thickness) should be at least 25-30 mm, preferably the use of marine plywood or duraluminium.

For reliable fixation of the engine often requires the installation of additional bracket Or welding corners to the sides, which will prevent the transom from pulling off under load, and the fasteners must be equipped with wide washers and grovers so that the vibration does not weaken the connection, and the threaded joints should be fixed with a special composition.

☑️ Testing transence readiness

Done: 0 / 5

The height of the diewood setup also plays a role. Flat-bottoms have a large angle of differentiation, so the motor often has to be lowered lower than on keel boats to capture water when glides, but too low a landing increases water resistance.

⚠️ Attention: When drilling holes in the transom for brackets, be sure to use a polyurethane-based sealant. Water entering the voids of the duraluminum profile can lead to hidden corrosion and structural destruction.

Control and attachment of equipment

Management Baby 2. The engine has its own specifications due to the lack of a rooter in the classical sense of some models of engines or the specific location of the tube. Often the engine rump rests on the side or requires a change in the driver's seating. The driver is usually located on the aft bank, which shifts the center of gravity.

For ease of control, you can use a bumple extension cord (called a "rod"), which allows you to sit closer to the center of the boat, which improves the weighting and makes the control more comfortable, and you should also take care of the safety cable ("check"), which should be attached to the operator's clothes.

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Use soft pads on the rummel and the sides of the boat. During active fishing or in bad weather, hard metal and plastic elements can injure the angler or damage the tackle.

An important element is the installation gas tankIn small boats, it is better to place it on the bottom in the center or closer to the nose to compensate for the weight of the engine at the stern. The fuel supply hose should not interfere with the engine and the legs of passengers.

Safety and behaviour at water

Flathead Baby 2 It's getting much faster with the engine, but it's not losing its tendency to be a bit more squirm, and the lack of keel and zygomatic splashers (in basic configuration) makes the boat sensitive to side wind and oblique wave, and the sharp rudder shifts can lead to rollover.

The stability of the vessel depends on the correct loading: passengers must sit strictly on the banks, not swaying or getting up unnecessarily. Any shift in the center of gravity on such a narrow boat (latitude 1.32 m) is fraught with roll.

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The main safety rule on the motored Little 2 is a uniform weight distribution and low seating. Never get on board while driving.

When operating in windy weather, you should move at an angle to the wave, not strictly perpendicular or parallel to it, this will reduce the amplitude of the pitching. Also always carry a water scoop with you, since spray can enter the boat even through the side.

Maintenance and winter storage

The duraluminium that's made of Baby 2It is resistant to corrosion, but requires maintenance, especially in areas of contact with water and metal of the motor. After each fishing, the boat should be rinsed with fresh water, especially if you have been swimming on a salt reservoir or at the confluence of rivers.

The transport engine also needs to be preserved, and before long storage, it is recommended to drain the fuel from the carburetor, treat the cylinders with oil and relieve the load from the springs, and keep the boat inverted under the canopy to prevent precipitation from entering.

Secrets of the Durability of Duraluminum

Dural is afraid of contact with copper and ferrous metal in the presence of electrolyte (water). Never keep steel anchors, tools or copper coils inside the boat without insulation. This causes electrochemical corrosion that quickly eats the bottom. Use plastic crates to store things.

Regular inspection of rivets and welds will reveal fatigue in the early stages. If you notice a leak, do not delay repair. Modern epoxy compounds with reinforcement mesh allow you to quickly repair minor damage right on the shore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I put on a little 2 engine 8 hp?

Technically, yes, the boat will go and even plane very quickly. dangerouslyTran can not withstand vibrations, and the stability at speed will become critically low, and GIMS may not register such a combination if the power exceeds the passport restrictions for this type of housing.

What is the speed of the Little 2 with a 5 hp engine?

With one person and a minimum load, the speed will be about 20-25 km / h With two passengers, the speed will drop to 15-18 km / h. The real speed depends greatly on the state of the bottom (fouling, scratches) and the driver's ability to keep the boat on the sleeve.

Do I need to register Little 2 with a motor?

According to the current rules, boats weighing more than 200 kg (in running order) are subject to registration. or with an engine power of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). Baby 2 It weighs about 70 kg, and the motors are usually up to 5 hp, no formal registration is required, but always carry your boat and motor documents with you.

How do you seal a hole in the bottom of Baby?

Duraluminum is best suited to specialized epoxy compounds for metal or cold welding with fiberglass reinforcement. Before repairing the surface must be cleaned to metal, degreased and primed, in extreme cases, you can use aluminum rivets with sealant.