Across the Atlantic in an outboard!

[oz-1]

Stuck at home with this misereable weather, i came across this really great story, about a guy who motored across the Atlantic in an outboard powered boat. I don't know how to do a link, but if you type Ocean crossing in an outboard boat: the Al Grover story you should come to it. Hoping everyone is well and safe. Oz.

 

[prv]

Surprised to see a Western name there, as I was only aware of a Japanese guy who did it.

I wonder which came first.

Pete

 

[oz-1]

Hi prv, the gentleman who made the trip comes across as a really nice person. I think he was in the marine business and the trip was in 1985. Best regards, Oz

 

[Mark-1]

Only an outboard? It has a bermuda rig! What a chiz. ?

 

[Bouba]

Crossing an ocean with an outboard is daring. But crossing an ocean with an Evinrude is madness

 

[Tradewinds]

Here's the Japanese guy. We met him in the Canaries and later in Barbados. My son was enthralled by him.

Rather him than me - I didn't envy the saltwater sores he had by the time he got to Barbados!

SMALLEST MOTOR TO EVER CROSS THE ATLANTIC: 2.5HP TOHATSU BRINGS SEIKO NAKAJIMA SAFELY TO NEW YORK | NEWS | TOHATSU North America

 

[penfold]

Stuck at home with this misereable weather, i came across this really great story, about a guy who motored across the Atlantic in an outboard powered boat. I don't know how to do a link, but if you type Ocean crossing in an outboard boat: the Al Grover story you should come to it. Hoping everyone is well and safe. Oz.

Al Grover
And here too.

 

[Mark-1]

with two thirds of the trip being powered solely by the 9.9 kicker


I don't get that. If the 9.9hp OB did the job why have the two monster engines? Or was it the case that the small engine handled the rougher weather and the big engines popped it onto the plane to cover ground fast on calmer seas as a sort of warp drive?


As for the Japanese Guy crossing oceans with a 2.5hp OB - beyond my comprehension!

 

[Capt Popeye]

with two thirds of the trip being powered solely by the 9.9 kicker


I don't get that. If the 9.9hp OB did the job why have the two monster engines? Or was it the case that the small engine handled the rougher weather and the big engines popped it onto the plane to cover ground fast on calmer seas as a sort of warp drive?


As for the Japanese Guy crossing oceans with a 2.5hp OB - beyond my comprehension!

Well yes the same Atlantic Crossing video cropped up on my Utube selection as well, I watched it all way through; it was a remarkable feat of endurance, two fellas in the boat, but I recall there was a crew change over at the Azores; yes 3 ob in total, one each of the two large OB running one One engine at a time, with the smaller 9.5 as back up; the cockpit was the place that the large Fuel Containers were secured, changing ob spark plugs at regular intervals when that OB was not being used to propell the boats along.

Very interesting comments about the Bilge Pump outlets becomming inlets for the Sea Water when the heavily laden boat rolled in the swells which put the Bilge Pump outlets under water , and Non Return valves had not been fitted at that point , but were fitted /made up along the route.

Evidently they made the crossing during the Hurrican Season

The ONLY way into the sleeping accomodation was through a Roof Hatch which was above the usuall water line, usually, depending upon the boat pitching, rolling, surfing, planning on the large waves

Well worth viewing

 

[penfold]

The Japanese guy had the right idea; very much like the typical trans-ocean rowers, light displacement, designed for inversion/self-righting and low resistance needing very little thrust. The only criticism I can raise is I'd prefer the ability to get at the motor without perching on a very narrow deck. I cannot comprehend why you'd lumber yourself with two massive and heavy 65hp engines yet your speed of advance is well below displacement speed and achievable with the 10hp engine?

 

[Bajansailor]

Here's the Japanese guy. We met him in the Canaries and later in Barbados. My son was enthralled by him.

Rather him than me - I didn't envy the saltwater sores he had by the time he got to Barbados!

SMALLEST MOTOR TO EVER CROSS THE ATLANTIC: 2.5HP TOHATSU BRINGS SEIKO NAKAJIMA SAFELY TO NEW YORK | NEWS | TOHATSU North America

I also met Seiko when he arrived here - that certainly was a marathon trip for sure.
The boat was basically a petrol tanker, and he did not dare have any naked flames on board, hence the very basic diet mentioned in the link - no cooking, and no hot food.