Spuddy
Active member
One option is to bolt bracket on back and use longshaft. Anyone got personal experience, cautionary or encouraging tales of use on displacement yacht ?
Outboard as auxiliary
- Thread starter Spuddy
- Start date
Sea Devil
Well-known member
I had one on the back of a new Jaguar 25.... When I left the boat on the trots for a long time I would take it off and store it in the cabin.... combined with leaning over the stern to operate the bracket up and down it did my back in!!!
The longshaft would come out of the water in a large swell and race - not the best thing as it also really slowed progress.
I had a charger on it for charging the battery for nav lights etc but it was very inefficient - maybe times have changed..
It ran on petrol - a 2-4 gallon tank on the floor of the cockpit... Not ideal but I could do Yarmouth IOW to Cherbourg in a calm with it...
It was at the time the only way I could afford to engine the boat so it was what I had and for the most part it was ok... Would never do it again if I had the choice between that and a small diesel inboard...
The longshaft would come out of the water in a large swell and race - not the best thing as it also really slowed progress.
I had a charger on it for charging the battery for nav lights etc but it was very inefficient - maybe times have changed..
It ran on petrol - a 2-4 gallon tank on the floor of the cockpit... Not ideal but I could do Yarmouth IOW to Cherbourg in a calm with it...
It was at the time the only way I could afford to engine the boat so it was what I had and for the most part it was ok... Would never do it again if I had the choice between that and a small diesel inboard...
davierobb
Active member
Have 4hp Johnson as aux on 26' sanppy, pushes the boat along at about 3 - 4 knts. Its mounted on bracket at back the lifts and lowers, difficult to reach and work with but on the one occasion that we've used it in anger it worked great. If the aux is small enough you can also use it on a tender, saves on taxi, ferry, train and taxi fares (Malcolm /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).
Bajansailor
Well-known member
Another, most probably better all round, option would be to build a well in the cockpit, rather like those on the English Hunter yachts - or is this option not feasible with your vessel?
oldharry
Well-known member
Outboard as an auxiliary - minuses:
Vulnerable to damage, theft, swamping in rough sea, prop can lift out in rough water (usually when you need it most!), prop is behind rudder so very poor manoevering at close quarters, petrol not easily available at waterside - and usually very expensive. Engines much higher revving so props smaller giving less thrust per HP (but not always. Charging facilities often minimal.
Pluses: Easily removable for service/repair, lighter than most inboards, easy prop access if fouled.
Vulnerable to damage, theft, swamping in rough sea, prop can lift out in rough water (usually when you need it most!), prop is behind rudder so very poor manoevering at close quarters, petrol not easily available at waterside - and usually very expensive. Engines much higher revving so props smaller giving less thrust per HP (but not always. Charging facilities often minimal.
Pluses: Easily removable for service/repair, lighter than most inboards, easy prop access if fouled.
Spuddy
Active member
Thanks folks. The special props - sailpower ? - make much difference ?
graham
Well-known member
Hi Spuddy The saildrive props are essential if you intend manouvering on and off marina berths. Going ahead the ordinary prop will get you up to speed but has very little braking power when you go astern.
On my 22 footer I have a Suzuki 4 hp with a sail prop and battery charging facility. I havent used any other means of charging the battery for over 2 years now.(We are very frugal; with lights etc )
If the folkdancer has a sloping transom like an ordinary folkboat you will need a wedge to go under the bracket to keep it level.
The prop will occasionally lift out as the boat pitches into a head sea but it all depends on how much motoring you intend to do. With a thoroughbred boat like yours hopefull;y not too much.
Its worth arranging a small block and tackl;e to take the pain out of raising the motor,Also You can get brackets with powerfull springs thjat help you raise the motor.
I think the advantages outway the disadvantages ,Any mechanical problems and you can fix it at home or take it to a mechanic. You also gain storage space for an inflatable dinghy where the motor normally sits.
I think a 6 or 8 hp would do you.
On my 22 footer I have a Suzuki 4 hp with a sail prop and battery charging facility. I havent used any other means of charging the battery for over 2 years now.(We are very frugal; with lights etc )
If the folkdancer has a sloping transom like an ordinary folkboat you will need a wedge to go under the bracket to keep it level.
The prop will occasionally lift out as the boat pitches into a head sea but it all depends on how much motoring you intend to do. With a thoroughbred boat like yours hopefull;y not too much.
Its worth arranging a small block and tackl;e to take the pain out of raising the motor,Also You can get brackets with powerfull springs thjat help you raise the motor.
I think the advantages outway the disadvantages ,Any mechanical problems and you can fix it at home or take it to a mechanic. You also gain storage space for an inflatable dinghy where the motor normally sits.
I think a 6 or 8 hp would do you.
kirielad
New member
I have a Tohatsu sail drive prop on my outboard which is a 9.8 2 stroke (lives in a well at the back of the cockpit). It has a 7.5" pitch 3 blade prop and has a lot more blade area than a standard prop (gives more shove rather than straight speed). Boat is just under 2 tons and it pushed us (towing a dinghy) back into Pompey this afternoon against the last of the spring ebb at a respectable 5 knots + (about 2/3 throttle).
Spuddy
Active member
Thanks again. All helps the decision making.
Slow_boat
New member
I found on my Vivacity that it was great for manouvering around marina etc but it truly was a auxilary, not for motor sailing or getting somewhere in a hurry, particularly in any sea Just reckon on sailing everywhere and the motor's only for marina etc and it'll be fine.
