motor size confidence

[smeaks]

I have been advised that a 4hp yam outboard is undersized to use on my 18.5ft Alacrity, if moving from inland non tidal onto the NE coast. I question this advice as I have seen loads of boats in use and for sale that carry 4/5 hp outboards and find it pushes me along at a good 3/4 knots. My intention is to day sail, is this advice correct or is there any counter opinions out there to bolster my confidence!

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[extravert]

I would say that it is fine for the conditions that you would expect to use a 18' boat in. It won't get you to windward in a F8, but then daysailing you should never experience this weather.



<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[jerryat]

Hi Smeaks!

I would tend to agree with you. 4hp should be enough, although I don't know the displacement of the Alacrity and imagine it to be fairly light. I suspect you will find it hard/slow going in a high wind - choppy sea situation (don't we all!) but as long as the motor is reliable, it'll get you there in the end - it'll just take longer. No doubt a 6hp unit would give you that bit of extra oomph, but I think it's worth experimenting on a couple of daysails in varying conditions and make your judgement based on how it goes.

I'm a little surprised you don't get a bit better speed then3/4 knots in, presumably flattish water, or was that your comfortable cruising speed and you've still got a bit in reserve?

Be interested to hear what others think.

Good sailing!

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[AndrewB]

Agree with the others, it should be quite adequate, if not overly exciting. I would think 4 knots is not far short of the maximum hull speed for an Alacrity.

Anyway, you'll be sailing, won't you, unless its a flat calm?

 

[Georgio]

no problem, I have a yam 4hp that pushes me along a 4.5kts in a flat sea. it may be worth looking into a sail-drive prop as pushing a yacht is very different to pushing a relativly light dingy.

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[tross]

I agree, I had a 4 HP yam on my Express Pirate 18 footer and it was fine - I even used it through the Swash channel ( Poole) in springs. The only thing I did was to convert it to use a external tank as, on long trips ( Poole to Cowes) you had to stop and refill it.

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[snowleopard]

4hp worked fine for me on a 1 ton 22 ft sonata.

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[m1taylor]

I am interested in this discussion. I have a mariner 4hp on a 17ft yacht and it seems quite big enough. It's quite a heavy brute for its HP to lug off and on the boat, especially up a vertical ladder on a quay mooring. So, for day sailing I have actually wondered whether I can go smaller and lighter than 4hp, to say a 3.5hp Tohatsu, or even a Honda 2.3. I'd be interested in any views as to whether I'd be pushing my luck to go smaller for the sake of portability.

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[extravert]

A few years ago my cylinder head gasket failed on my inboard diesel I had at the time (a 10m X99). There was no wind, but we got home by pushing the X99 with a 2hp outboard attached to a rubber dinghy. 3.5 knots was easy to achieve. Why not borrow a small outboard and give it a go?

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[smeaks]

Thanks for the input - I conclude my confidence is bolstered!!! As ponted out the fact that I hope to be sailing most of the time the o/b is their for manouvering and getting home in the case of a dropoff in the wind.
thanks again to all!

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[extravert]

I agree with this. I would have thought that any extra money would be better invested in a good sized well mounted external tank than a couple of extra hp. You can carry more fuel safely and avoid the need to refuel while at sea. Refuelling an integral tank of a hot outboard engine in a small boat at sea is not a safe procedure.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[smeaks]

Tross

How do you convert the o/B to an external tank? Is there a Kit?....I think this is a great idea.

smeaks

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[milltech]

I suppose it's about where you intend to go. If you think you may be, for example, visiting Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight you might very well find that your 3/4 knots is not enough to brest the tide especially with a bit of weather added.

On the other hand, choosing your moment and being careful, you obviously have enough power to move the boat. Like most boating you should have enough power providing you don't let yourself get caught out by poor observation and bad planning.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[PeteMcK]

Probably ok but slow against wind or sea - but then you'd be sailing, won't you. Downside to anything much bigger is the weight to manhandle on or off, into cars, etc.

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[snowleopard]

i converted a yamaha 4 to external tank, it was very straightforward and gave me the option to keep the integral tank as a reserve. the kit isn't too expensive (by marine standards!)

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[Romeo]

ditch the engine

discuss

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[snowleopard]

discuss...

a circular metal object to be thrown...

preferably at trolls and other stirrers ;-)

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