Outboard in a well. Advice please.

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I would always leave it in Neutral, as leaving it in gear can only put stress on the gearbox/seals/bearings

[/ QUOTE ] Mine is on a lifting bracket but if I don't lift it (it does not come clear of the water on a stbd tack anyway)I don't really worry about it either way.

If it is in gear it looks as though it is causing drag but if it is freewheeling in neutral there could be a minute amount of wear on the prop shaft bearings and seals. I don't believe leaving it in gear will cause any distress to the gear box components.
 
My Etap 22 has an outboard in a well.

If I leave it out of gear and then knock it into gear whilst sailing along then the motor pivots in such a way (clockwise rotation when viewed from starboard) that indicates that the drag on the prop has increased.

I can't see that the wear on the moving parts at such low revolutions can be significant, so I opt for less drag and leave it out of gear. The rotational noise it then makes is almost unnoticeable.

I would love to take the motor out when sailing (and when at rest to avoid fouling & corrosion) but the 9.9 HP 4-Stroke Yamaha I have is too heavy & the high-thrust prop doesn't fit through the well. I also like to have the engine ready to go, as there are a lot of very big ships coming in and out of the River Tejo here.
 
Some outboards need to be left in reverse to lock the motor down. Otherwise it will pivot as your speed increases and bang the back of the well.

I often left the motor in the well of our Anderson 22 and the speed difference was barely noticeable.
 
Here we go again!!!

Merc 5 at 4.6kt Neutral (prop spinning) drag 4.7Kg, Reverse (prop fixed) drag 11.7Kg

That might not be "noticable" in terms of speed but it would make a difference in a race.

If you can pull it up and fit the plug that would save the 4.7Kg but on mine you have to swim under and take the prop off to get it up through the hole - not something I'd want to do every time!
 
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If you can pull it up and fit the plug that would save the 4.7Kg but on mine you have to swim under and take the prop off to get it up through the hole - not something I'd want to do every time!

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Not the most convenient arrangement /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

For racing most people would pull it up and fit the fairing plug. For cruising the odd tenth of a knot isnt usually an issue.

Our latest boat has the outboard on the transom bracket. despite the well known drawbacks I do like the convenience of tilting it clear of the water and then getting zero drag.Im still tempted to install another outboard well though.
 
That's an increase of 149% in drag by putting it in gear! Stats are great eh! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm interested to know how you managed to measure the drag, did you rig up a simple dynamometer using a spring balance or something?

Will you tell me if I promise not to mention helicopters /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I too have to take the prop off before I can take the engine out, a pain as I have to do the impeller v soon. My plan is to get some of my more rotund friends to stand at the bow so as I can get at it from the dinghy without getting wet (well more like to avoid coming into contact with what is in the marina water, as it's not cold here)
 
I definitely prefer a transom bracket for o/b but it depends a lot on how much you rely on the o/b especially in rough water.
An aquaintance at out yacht club has got a new/ old boat which has an o/b well near the transom with a cut out to the transom so that it can still be swung back and up to clear the water. The rudder is through hull forward of the o/b well. I have not seen this arrangement before and it seems ideal.

If I were you with existing well I would be looking for ways to raise the motor clear of the water. Especially for when leaving the boat.

The motor out of the water will reduce drag even without a plug in the hole.
I imagine tracks mounted to the front of the well and a clamp board for the motor running on the tracks. A tackle would make lifting easier. Perhaps up to a temporary piece of wood across between the cockpit seats. olewill
 
I rigged the simplest possible "dynamometer" - measured the deflection of the soft engine mounts (the amount the engine kicks back when you drop it into gear to stop the prop). Then calibrated the deflection with weights and pulleys when next ashore.
propdrag1.jpg
propdrag2.jpg
 
Thanks for all the answers, my boat only allows for the outboard to be mounted in the well, which is a tight fit to the say the least! It is not possible to lift it out while sailing, or sensibly even when moored up. I am on a mud berth so the prop and foot sit in a small puddle.

My conclusion is that the engine should be left out of gear, as this will cause less drag. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Ianfr
 
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