Outboard for more power

[rogerroger]

My 8hp, 22 year old Yanmar sometimes hasn't got the power to make any headway against strong wind, waves, tides etc. - exactly the conditions where SWMBO demands to be taken to the nearest marina, quickly.

A new inboard is out of the question, but what about mounting say a 5/6 hp on the transom with a bracket that could be lowered into the water just when I need a bit of extra welly ? Is this a good idea ? Anything I should be aware of ?

I'm thinking of an outboard that I can also use for the tender.

Boat is a 27 foot First.



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[andy_wilson]

The major problem is that when the wind is up, so are the waves, and the risk of your prop. sucking air and engine drinking water alternately is much amplified.

You therefore need a long shaft, preferably extra long shaft, which is not ideal for the tender, exerting a little too much leverage if you crank up the power.

For your info. I use a Johnson 4hp SailMaster XL Shaft on the dinghy, a former aux. on a powerboat I had a few years ago. The dinghy planes with me plus small child and dog, or assorted contents of car. Mrs. Wilson has not been on the plane in the dighy however. My motor was rated at the crank in those days so 3.3hp at the prop. in new money. My new Suzumar dinghy is one of the biggest and heaviest 2,6m dinghies you can get, air floor, rated up to 8 hp.

One fine day I will add a track to the transom with an outboard bracket so the O/B can be pressed into service when the gearbox splines give up on the Volvo!!!!!

Get one like mine with a remote fuel tank, those tichy ones under the hood of an O/B won't last 2 minutes with enough throttle on to help shove your boat anywhere (well 30 mins p'raps).

Basically it is a good idea, serving a dual purpose, and costing perhaps a small premium over the dinghy motor you want anyway, and a fraction of the cost of re-engining.

Not sure about transom brackets. I have seen a number of French yachts (owned not made in France) with bracket on tracks that can be height adjusted over a range.

This has the benefit of being adjustable for the conditions of the day, as well as for finding a good 'standard' height, which will be very different once moving rather than sat in the marina fitting the bracket.

Never been too impressed with the cantilever type. They look heavy and likely to trap unwary fingers reaching over the back whilst yacht is pitching in a seaway.