gurgling well

[dylanwinter]

I am just finishing the latest bunch of videos and I came across this little test I did with the well

I know that some people have wells

first long shaft in place

second no engine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Fd3hzxYIM

third - Honda short shaft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DULrgfQaGZ0

taking it out was worth half a knot

 

[William_H]

Thanks for the videos Dylan. Sorry I am far to frugal to buy yours but I do enjoy the little bits you put on.
Yes an o/b dragging in the water will slow down a boat a lot.
My little 21fter (light weight) is even more slowed by any drag.
One design I have seen here has an outboard in a semi well. Here the transom is cut away in the middle to make a notch or well open at the back so the o/b can easily be tilted back and up yet the outboard is mounted forward of the transom. I would think it works well being quieter with no back to the well but it does then mean you must have a rudder well forward of the transom or twin transom mounted rudders.
I often wish I had a video camera set up so I could reciprocate to you with videos. Like last sunday in a race around 22 knots of wind we put the small spinaker up and the little boat really took off. I felt sure she was near to planing just had that funny feeling on the waves. A 24fter we had been battling with (and lost) on the wind was easily passed down wind. No idea how fast I often wonder if I have broken the magical 10 knots. Anyway far to terrified as helmsman to think about filming or even turning on GPS. The day was slightly marred when on the next spin leg the back stay parted with a bang. No real harm, fractional rig and soon fixed with a piece of string. Still finished close enough to the big kids to get a 2nd on handicap.
Magic sailing moments happen occasionally but seldom get recorded. Well done to you. good luck olewill

 

[Seajet]

On my boat with an outboard well the noise is quite surprising if there's no engine or fairing plug fitted; fitting the fairing plug gives peace and over a knot more speed than sailing with the engine left ( not running ) in the well.

Standard shaft is fine, the prop' does stay immersed in any weather I'm likely to need an engine; another consideration is stowage space in a cockpit locker is tricky for a long shaft.

The idea in my view is normally to get the engine stowed and fairing plug fitted as soon as we're in clear water; going around with the engine left in is like flying a Spitfire with the wheels down; also negates the advantage of a smooth hull without a prop to pick up lobster pots etc, bad for corrosion too.