Hunter Duette - How does the outboard well work?

[Tweeds]

Does the engine stay permanently down/in the water, or can it swing up?

Is it okay drying out with the engine down?

 

[Tweeds]

Anyone?

 

[TernVI]

Dunno about the Duette, I have only sailed those without engines.
The Impala 28, the outboard was mounted on a sliding board, so it could be raised, tilted forwards then a moulded plug was put in the hole to fair it. IIRC there was a tackle to raise the slide as quite heavy motors could be used in those days.

The Sonata simply has a transom bracket AFAIK.

There is a Hunter Boats Owners website, but they seem keen not to tell anyone anything useful unless they are paid up members, which seems like a very good way of annoying potential buyers.

 

[matt1]

There is a Hunter Boats Owners website, but they seem keen not to tell anyone anything useful unless they are paid up members, which seems like a very good way of annoying potential buyers.

They used to have a rule that once you had been a member x years you no longer needed to pay subs. Unfortunately they changed the rule after I sold mine. I would have been very happy to contribute still (which may have been useful as I built two of their range so had a bit of knowledge to share). Like you say, a bit self defeating

 

[Andibs]

Looks a bit like my old Jaguar 21 with the outboard well. Once it was in the well it stayed down but went on a bracket on the pushpit when not in use.

 

[PeterV]

I think the outboard well is brilliant. The engine stays in when I’m sailing and because the engine is right in front of the rudder it’s very manoeuvreable. I take the engine out when I leave the boat and it lays athwartships in the locker. The previous owner of my boat left the engine in the well for weeks at a time when he was using the boat regularly and I’ve done this too. The engine is a short shaft and it is well clear of the ground when the boats aground, even with the keels sunken into mud a fair amount. To my mind it’s far simpler and preferable to an inboard in a small yacht

 

[coveman]

I think the outboard well is brilliant. The engine stays in when I’m sailing and because the engine is right in front of the rudder it’s very manoeuvreable. I take the engine out when I leave the boat and it lays athwartships in the locker. The previous owner of my boat left the engine in the well for weeks at a time when he was using the boat regularly and I’ve done this too. The engine is a short shaft and it is well clear of the ground when the boats aground, even with the keels sunken into mud a fair amount. To my mind it’s far simpler and preferable to an inboard in a small yacht

Yes, I would agree - on my Etap (22ft) the engine is in a well, forward of the rudder and makes maneuvering very simple, especially in reverse. Simple to take out and service - the only disadvantage is, it can be awkward to flush through with clean water if you are on a mooring, as mine is, but a good flush through at the end of the season seems to be satisfactory. I always take it out and store it in the cabin when not in use. Some say it slows the boat when sailing, but I can't see it is any different to a fixed inboard in that regard, and I'm not too worried if it shaves a bit off my progress.